Current Conversations on MyFacilitiesNet:

What's your Role in Specifying and Purchasing Products?

Jennifer DuPlessis, executive director of operations at Wylie (Texas) Independent School District, and Brian Robertson, senior project manager for facilities engineering at Princeton University, discuss their roles and responsibilities regarding product and technology purchases. In this Q&A article from a recent issue of Facility Maintenance Decisions, they share their strategies for making sound decisions that take into account cost, reliability, serviceability and sustainability. Read their advice about specifying LED lighting, building automation systems and more, and share your tips in the comment section.

     Dan Hounsell, Be the first to comment

What is the Future of LEED?

In this video interview, Craig Sheehy, president and CEO of Envision Realty Services, discusses how he sees LEED evolving, and the long-term benefits facility managers can accrue by implementing LEED for Building Operations and Maintenance in their facilities. What's your take? Where do you see LEED going in the future?

     Greg Zimmerman, Be the first to comment

Tips to Improve Your Emergency Response Plans

One of the challenges of emergency planning is the need to be both comprehensive and concise. An emergency response plan has to cover a lot of ground, but a two-inch-thick binder won't help anyone in an emergency situation. At Delta Air Lines Technical Operations Center, small, easy-to-use flipcharts spell out response steps for a range of emergencies, and these are posted on the wall for easy access when needed. Click through to a recent article from Building Operating Management for other practical advice from an expert on emergency response on five steps you can take to make your emergency preparedness plans more effective.

     Ed Sullivan, Be the first to comment

Seeing the Light on LEDs

I recently attended Lightfair in Philadelphia and I didn't notice a single non-LED product on that show floor — which is interesting since LEDs still make up only a fraction of the lighting products shipping to commercial facilities. But FMs are starting to see the light about LEDs: What can be done within a single luminaire is impressive. The tunability of white LEDs, which can go from very warm to supernova cool at the push of a button, or in concert with daylight sensors, is an off-the-shelf solution now. The Building IoT capabilities of LED luminaires can range from on-board Bluetooth used in asset tracking, to visible light communications, to supporting just about any sensor you could think of. LEDs open a wide range of possibilities in commercial facilities. Facility managers tend to focus on the amazing energy savings possible with LEDs, but it's now about so much more than cheap light. Check out this Building Operating Management article that discusses four ways facility managers can benefit from LEDs beyond energy efficiency, and let me know your thoughts in a comment.

     Naomi Millán, Be the first to comment

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