Magazine

Power system insights  NFPA 70: National Electrical Code is the primary resource for electrical engineers when designing power systems in mission critical facilities.   Engineers should determine options for mission critical switchgear, automatic and static transfer switches (ATS), and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).  Mission critical facilities typically require electrical engineers to design and specify significant amounts…

Facilities managers should work with building management to ensure they have adequate first-aid kits and automated external defibrillator devices (AEDs) to comply with the law and minimum safety standards and, more importantly, for the safety of facility occupants. The installation and maintenance of these units, along with associated signage, usually fall in the hands of…

Institutional and commercial facilities continue to feel the impact of natural disasters — including hurricanes, coastal flooding and wildfires — which have become more frequent, powerful and costly in recent years. As maintenance and engineering managers pursue funding to complete projects and renovations designed to enhance the resilience of equipment, assets and operations, some financial…

In anticipation of testing, it’s crucial for facility managers to flush a building’s full water system. Here are tips and tricks to do that correctly. If you haven’t already tested your facility’s plumbing for lead in water, you likely will soon. Get used to it, as some agencies are considering mandatory requirements to test the…

Strategies that prove effective can boost efficiency, lower costs and promote long-term success. As a $400 billion industry, healthcare construction is an expensive investment. Despite the cost, building new healthcare facilities remains a priority, meaning innovative and effective solutions are more essential than ever. Many construction trends have emerged in the past couple of years…

Distressed asset sales were a nominal and relatively consistent fraction of the Canadian investment property market in the first half of 2023, accounting for less than 2 per cent of total transaction volume. JLL’s newly released fall outlook on commercial real estate calls this “low by historical standards” and suggests lenders are key to the…