Workplace Violence: How to Prevent, Prepare and React to an Armed Intruder

Nanette Moss | August 8, 2019

Any workplace can be vulnerable to violence, but having a plan in place to prevent, prepare and react to an armed intruder or active shooter is the best way to minimize severity and save lives. With the frequency of shooting incidents increasing, it’s more important than ever for workplaces to be prepared. In fact, assaults...

Beyond ASTM Phase 1: Do You Need the Protection of a More Robust Environmental Site Assessment?

Cindee Campisano | July 16, 2019

Purchasing or leasing a commercial property is a big decision, and you deserve to have a clear understanding of exactly what you’re buying. While your bank will require you to conduct an ASTM Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) to identify environmental issues associated with your new facility, this evaluation may not be comprehensive enough....

Earning the LEED Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Credit – Building Flush-out or IAQ Testing?

Will Wade | July 15, 2019

Building flush-out or IAQ testing? This is the question many project teams ask when trying to determine how to successfully achieve the LEED IAQ credit under Version 4. In this post we’ll take a look at the key requirements and the pros and cons of these two options. LEED v.4 IAQ Assessment Overview Leadership in...

The Importance of Tabletop Exercises — and How to Do Them Properly

Nanette Moss | June 4, 2019

If your biotechnology organization has a thoroughly developed business continuity plan or crisis management plan, you might think you’re well prepared for the unexpected. However, how can you really know your plan will work? While there’s no foolproof way to ensure your research facility or commercial laboratory is 100 percent safe from vulnerabilities and disaster...

Safe Removal of Mercury-Containing Flooring in School Gyms

Will Wade | May 21, 2019

Products such as thermometers, thermostats, fluorescent light bulbs, and some electrical switches have long been known as potential sources of mercury. In recent years another mercury-containing product – polyurethane flooring – has garnered public attention and concern. Some polyurethane or rubber-like floorings manufactured from 1960 to 1980 contained mercuric acetate. These floors are most often...

5 Key Takeaways from the NEHES Panel Discussion USP 797/800: What You Need to Know

Erin Higgins | April 23, 2019

Recently I had the pleasure of moderating a panel discussion on the unique challenges of USP 797 and 800 compliance at the New England Healthcare Engineers’ Society (NEHES) Spring Seminar. With the compliance deadline for USP 800 looming (December 1, 2019) this is a critical issue for healthcare facilities. The panel included experts representing healthcare...

Mold and Moisture Control During Construction

Will Wade | March 22, 2019

Water use is an integral component of every construction project, and the focus should be on how to prevent it from impacting porous and finished building materials and affecting systems performance. There are three key phases common to all construction projects during which moisture and mold issues are most likely to occur: Transport and storage...

8 Common Myths and Misconceptions About Commissioning a New Building

Michael Della Barba | February 27, 2019

The commissioning process is an opportunity for building owners to verify that their newly completed building was designed, constructed and delivered as promised. Most often performed by a third party, commissioning provides quality assurance that building owners are receiving exactly what they paid for. This is especially important because once the building is delivered and...

Clinical Laboratories: Using BSL-2 Plus When Working with Pathogens Transmitted via Inhalation

Anthony Troiano | February 1, 2019

Clinical laboratories, such as public health or academic labs, commonly conduct procedures involving pathogens that are infectious via inhalation. These pathogens present a significant risk because in addition to getting the individual working with them sick, it can then be quickly transmitted to others. To prevent infection, it is recommended that such work be conducted...

Why Tier II Compliance is Crucial for Community Safety — And How to Simplify the Filing Process

Margo Jay | January 24, 2019

As a facilities manager, you already know the importance of maintaining compliance with EPA regulations. However, with so many regulations to keep track of — and with reporting requirements changing constantly — maintaining compliance across the board can be a bigger challenge than many facilities are prepared to meet. Even worse, you might not even...