Energy Optimization Evolves:
10 Years Later, the Energy Savings Continue to Add Up

and   |  December 5, 2022

With all the focus on energy-efficiency and the drive to reduce carbon emissions in buildings through design and technology investments, it is easy to overlook the fact that significant energy savings can be achieved as a byproduct of well-performing building systems. As equipment ages, as minor components fail, as the seasons change, and as space...
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Gauging Building Health

and   |  December 1, 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how building owners, managers, and occupants think about buildings and their importance in supporting human health. Properly constructed and operated buildings can support health, well-being, productivity and can even serve as a place of refuge from the increasing occurrence of adverse environmental events such as smoke from wildfires, or exposures...
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Mitigating Legionella with a targeted response

  |  November 23, 2022

When faced with a possible infection risk from Legionella colonization within a hospital water system, many health care systems take broad, buildingwide actions to stop the risk before it spreads, and they will continue to repeat those same actions without understanding the root cause. Common recommendations are to periodically add chlorine disinfectant (either low-level or...
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Upper-room Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI): What You Need to Know Before Buying

and   |  November 22, 2022

Heightened interest in indoor air quality is coming from all corners of public and environmental health, including the CDC and the White House, creating a renewed focus on alternative methods for “air cleaning” or disinfection technologies. Improving indoor air quality is a worthwhile goal, but implementation must be done carefully and without harm. Generally, the...
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Finding Balance: Risk & Goals in Ventilation

, and   |  July 19, 2022

As COVID-19 precautions fall away, with the suspension of masking and social distancing requirements indoors in most locations, facility managers (FMs) may find that the next stage of the pandemic brings new challenges. While COVID cases have been much lower in recent months than during the height of the pandemic, it’s unlikely that FMs will...
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Streamlined Management of Asbestos in Soil: UMass Boston’s UCRR Project

  |  June 3, 2022

The hallmark of a successful construction project is marked by proper planning and budgeting. Even so, setbacks such as schedule delays are to be expected. But the sequence of events associated with the unanticipated discovery of asbestos contaminated soil on a construction site is anything but predictable. It can undoubtedly be a major roadblock against...
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BERDO 2.0: Compliance FAQ

  |  June 3, 2022

The original BERDO, or Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance, was enacted in 2013 and started as a reporting ordinance modeled after New York City’s 2009 Local Law 84. Large buildings in the City of Boston were required to collect and report their energy use to the city. The City of Boston published the information,...
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Evaluating Waterborne Pathogen Risks for a Stronger Water Management Plan

  |  April 21, 2022

Having an effective water management program has proven critical for minimizing patient exposure to a wide range of dangerous waterborne pathogens. In fact, one CDC study found that approximately 21% of HAIs can be transmitted via water. However, many hospitals have struggled with the development and implementation of a comprehensive water management program. Pathogens include...
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A facilities approach to preventing infection

  |  April 1, 2022

Over the past 10 years, the U.S. has made meaningful improvements in preventing health care-associated infections (HAIs), yet infections remain a major cause of death and disability. In addition to being incredibly dangerous to patients, HAIs also are costly because hospitals are generally not reimbursed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for treating...
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