Category: Article

Electrical Systems: Don’t Get Burned

Electrical Systems: Don’t Get Burned

As published in the March/April 2017 edition of IFMA’s FMJ With the progressively more complicated and interdependent facility systems, the importance of maintenance continues to increase, as does the strain upon staff and contractors to complete such.  There are regulatory requirements to inspect and test exit signs, fire suppression & detection systems, elevators, etc.  Mechanical […]

Teaching CFM Exam Prep Workshop in Charlotte on May 9th

Teaching CFM Exam Prep Workshop in Charlotte on May 9th

IFMA’s Certified Facility Manager, CFM, is the most distinguished credential in the facility industry.  A recent IFMA study found that CFMs earn 25% more than their non-CFM counterparts and tend to occupy higher management positions. The Charlotte Chapter of IFMA is excited to offer this one-day CFM Exam Prep Workshop.  The class will help you determine your readiness for the CFM exam and hopefully give you […]

Digging Out of Deferred Maintenance

Digging Out of Deferred Maintenance

As found in IFMA’s FMJ May/June 2016 Excitedly, the facility industry continues to mature, advancing our stature within our respective organizations.  However, one key anchor impeding that progress is the aging infrastructure that exists in many of our facilities and the subsequent reactive maintenance it creates.  This reactive firefighting is a drain of valuable personnel […]

From the Grounds, Up – Selling the Value of Facilities

From the Grounds, Up – Selling the Value of Facilities

There has been much deserved emphasis on getting facility management to the C-suite, which is necessary for our industry to realize success.  However, all efforts expended earning our way to the executive level, can be quickly dashed if facility staff and contractors are not on-board with our initiative.  Thus, it is equally imperative that we […]

Setting a Vision for Success in Facility Management

Setting a Vision for Success in Facility Management

as published in the November edition of Buildings Maintenance & Management magazine Proverbs states that “without vision, the people perish”, which essentially means that the people wander aimlessly without any clear direction and are left to their own demise.  Or to quote from another wise sage, Tobi Keith (for those country music fans) – “if […]

Commissioning & Retro-Commissioning as published in IFMA’s FMJ

Commissioning & Retro-Commissioning as published in IFMA’s FMJ

Lowering Utility Costs and Increasing Facility  Performance through Commissioning and Retro- Commissioning by John Rimer as published in the November/December issue of IFMA’s  Facility Management Journal Commissioning is one of the most cost-effective means of ensuring optimum building  performance and efficiency, returning energy savings as high as 25% and payback periods  measured in months.  However, […]

Playing the “Green” Card – How to Make Green = Green in Facilities…

Playing the “Green” Card – How to Make Green = Green in Facilities…

It doesn’t matter if you are a tree burner, tree hugger, or anything in between.  If your organization says “green” or sustainability is important to them, then it is important to you.  Does that mean you begrudgingly implement such programs?  No, rather leverage those corporate goals and objectives to solicit the resources you need to […]

Getting the Most Out of Your Buildings Through Commissioning & Retro-Commissioning

Commissioning is far more than a checkbox on USGBC’s LEED building certification form or a task that the contractor was supposed to-do according to project specifications.  In fact, Commissioning (Cx) and Retro-Commissioning (RCx) are some of the most cost-effective means of ensuring your buildings are performing optimally and efficiently. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) released […]

Under-staffed? Under-funded? How do you get what you need for your Facility Management Program?

Under-staffed? Under-funded? How do you get what you need for your Facility Management Program?

Most facility departments are under-funded and under-staffed.  They act as modern-day MacGyvers trying to resolve the decline of aging systems and the increase of operational demands with a piece of gum, a ballpoint pen, and a paperclip – sound familiar?  This lack of resources and seeming disconnect with management perpetuates the costly firefighting cycle in […]

Do you work in or support the Federal Sector? Then you’ll want to read this…

Do you work in or support the Federal Sector? Then you’ll want to read this…

Do you work in or support the Federal Sector?  Have you earned your FMP or CFM yet?  If not, then you will want to read this…  If you don’t work in the Federal sector, why should you care?  The Federal government is the largest property owner and tenant in the United States – thus from […]