Portable electric generator running in the cold winter.

How to Safely Use Portable Generators

March 6, 2019

Even though spring is around the corner, March is the snowiest month of the year for many locations in the US. A bad snowstorm can often lead to loss of power that could lead to rise in the use of …

Categorized: Environmental

View of approaching rain storm, rainy clouds over the city, poor weather forecast. Malaysia, Cyberjaya. Tropical cyclone in asia.

Eco-friendly Roofing Options, Part Two: Blue Roofs

January 29, 2019

Last week we covered the benefits of green roofs; this week we’re going to focus on blue. The idea behind a blue roof is similar to a retention pond—except that the pond in question is on your roof. Also known …

Categorized: Environmental

A portion of the new Vancouver Convention Center environmentally friendly, lush, 6 acre green roof.

Eco-friendly Roofing Options, Part One: Green Roofs

January 23, 2019

Vegetative, or green, roofs have been around for years, and have long offered promises of energy savings, reductions in storm-water runoff, beautification, and LEED points. However, many facilities have hesitation going green. This is partially due to fear of the …

Categorized: Environmental

smart screen with smart home and control center of factory, which lies in hangzhou binjiang district and manufactures mechanical equipment.

The Smart Buildling Revolution

December 19, 2018

Smart buildings are no longer the future in building management.   Swedish research firm Meemoori’s new report on the market for big data in smart building sees “robust growth” worldwide. It predicts growth of $15.6 billion by the end of …

Categorized: Environmental

An abstract digital structure showing the concept of blockchain technology with hexadecimal hash data inside each block. This image represents a conceptual design in the domain of IT, cyberspace, cyber security, cryptocurrency or similar industry sectors. The image is a made up 3D concept render.

Blockchain technology for safe leafy greens

October 19, 2018

Leafy greens are good for you; however, multiple outbreaks and recalls have been centered on those products.   Last April, a multistate E coli outbreak was linked to Romain lettuce. There were 210 confirmed cases of food poisoning, with 96 …

Categorized: Environmental

Recycle Can

How to go zero waste

May 23, 2018

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the U.S. generates more than 250 million tons of municipal solid waste each year. Much of this waste ends up polluting our land, water, and air, so many organizations, cities, and even countries, …

Categorized: Environmental

Green wall, eco friendly vertical garden

Thinking of getting a green wall? Think moss.

May 2, 2018

Living walls—aka green walls or vertical gardens—have become a popular item for many facilities around the world. These walls are made of living plants growing into a support structure that includes the necessary growing elements like soil, irrigation, and drainage. …

Categorized: Environmental

A caution sign warning of a lead hazard. Lead is a heavy metal and potentially hazardous to human health.

Keeping your home safe from workplace lead exposure

April 11, 2018

Since the 1970s, the government has spearheaded and implemented many protocols that have resulted in a significant reduction of lead exposure throughout our country. However, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Scott Pruitt, “Lead exposure poses a significant …

Categorized: Environmental

caution wet floor warning sign with blurred worker mopping floor.

Cleaning routine for restroom facilities

March 28, 2018

Maintaining clean and fresh restrooms is essential to any facility. They can often make a bad impression on guests and employees if not routinely cleaned.   Many facility managers (FM) buy products specifically designed to reduce odors in restrooms, like …

Categorized: Environmental

Exposed ventilation duct of modern office building. adobe rgb 1998 use...........

How’s your IAQ? New tech lets you optimize

March 9, 2018

In 2015, HEALTHfx did a study comparing employees’ cognitive function in offices that had good Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)—meaning offices with high ventilation, low CO2, and low volatile organic compounds—and employees who worked in a conventional office environment. The study …

Categorized: Environmental