FACILITY MANAGEMENT ARTICLES
Technology Shapes Data Center Sustainability Future
The demand for data centers has exploded in the last few years. The seven largest U.S. markets, for example, saw a 50% increase in megawatt net absorption of data center space from 2020 to 2021. But as increasingly necessary as data centers are to our modern world, they are also intensive energy users; data centers use nearly 2% of all U.S. electricity.
Future-Proofing Your Facility’s Water Systems
When it comes to maintaining a building’s water systems, facility managers are often the first to hear about issues related to water pressure – from showers and faucets that aren’t performing as expected in tenant-occupied spaces to commercial units like restaurants, hotels, schools and healthcare facilities that rely on water to keep their businesses running.
Cost Effective Supply Shock Options
Since the pandemic showed manufacturers, distributors, and retailers how supply chain disruptions can cause dramatic shortages, many are seeking to increase inventory to avoid similar problems in the future. However, warehouse space is in short supply, particularly around distribution centers, with prices rising as leased properties are quickly snapped up.
CASE STUDIES
Condeco Implements Office Return Solution
A multinational food manufacturer was looking to partner with a workspace solutions provider to quickly implement a post-pandemic return to office solution across ten offices. Ideally, employees could continue to work from home if they wanted but would have the facilities readily available to work from the office if required – Condeco had the answer.
Insulfoam Rebuilds Hospital Roof
A Missouri hospital rebuilds stronger after a force five tornado largely destroyed most of the St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin. By using Insulfoam 15” Tapered EPS as part of the roof system on the new hospital (now known as Mercy Hospital Joplin), the resulting structure is 30% stronger than the requirements for the old hospital.
Hospital Location Embodies Philosophy
Pacific Medical Centers moved into Providence Health’s Gately-Ryan Building in Renton, WA. The building’s ease-of-use and efficiency goals extend from its layout to its design features, starting with one of the most frequently traversed thoroughfares – the doors. Often overlooked, doors can provide a key element to optimizing a space while also supporting occupant comfort.
Cooling Emergency Turns into No-Cost Upgrade
For a rural county school district in Kentucky, it started with an emergency failure of a cooling tower used with the school’s HVAC system. The old tower had required significant maintenance over the years. However, the district was hoping to delay the expense of having to replace it along with another metal tower utilized by the high school that was also nearing end-of-life.
Integrated Security System Offers Flexibility
AAU is the largest private school of art and design in the country. Since there are so many buildings and thousands of people coming and going each day, keeping track of that many was a major challenge. The campus comprises administration and classroom buildings, as well as residence halls, dining facilities, and computer labs. Effective security can often be a challenge.
New York Plumbing Pro Chooses Tools Up to the Task
When Murdock Plumbing & Heating confronts clogs in inside lines, they grab their “one-two punch.” That’s what owner Robert “Bob” Murdock calls his arsenal of two hand-held drain cleaners from General Pipe Cleaners: the innovative Kinetic Water Ram® and Super-Vee® power drain cleaning machine.
PRODUCTS IN ACTION
JLG Offers New Bi-Energy Option
JLG Industries, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company and a leading global manufacturer of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and telehandlers, now offers Bi-Energy technology on its X770AJ and X1000AJ compact crawler boom lifts, reducing these machines’ noise and exhaust emissions.
Ask the Drain Brains: The Best Way to Handle Frozen Pipes
I dread winter. Every time an arctic blast moves south, the pipes freeze in one of my buildings. What method do you suggest to thaw the pipes and get the water moving again?
Cementex Highlights Arc Flash PPE Task Wear
Cementex, the safety tool specialists, highlights the Cementex Feature Series of Arc Flash Protective Clothing PPE, designed for those seeking the next level of comfort, safety, durability, and protection.
Triplett Highlights IRTC400 Thermal Imaging Camera
Triplett Test Equipment highlights the IRTC400 Thermal Imaging Camera, ideal for finding leaks and hot spots in facility applications. The imager has a temperature range of -4 to 752°F, a built-in LED worklight, and user programmable audible and visual high/low temperature alarms.
Quick Fitting Expands Stainless Steel Products
Quick Fitting, a leading manufacturer of quick connection technology, announces the expansion of its industry-leading stainless steel products. The products’ new larger sizes make them suitable for a variety of commercial capabilities and industrial applications.
’Tis the Season for Clogged Toilets
A house full of family and friends, a mountain of food on the table, football on the TV, and water running across the bathroom floor from a clogged toilet. ‘Tis the season. When you get the call, there’s nothing better to have in your truck for just this emergency than a closet auger.