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Trump question looms as US signs climate pact in Morocco
Andrew Gaved Waste Management & EnvironmentalIn fact, the events of the past couple of weeks have put the Brexit uncertainty in the U.K. into context. The multiple questions we might have over our future outside of the European community seem somehow less significant compared with the questions Americans must have over Donald J. Trump.
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Emergencies can paralyze an organization: Are you prepared?
Richard P. Payant Facilities & GroundsAt 10 a.m. on a Wednesday, the building receptionist for a large organization comprised of several adjoining buildings receives a bomb threat. The receptionist immediately notifies her supervisor, the director of security. He informs the organization's leadership, the director of facilities management, the public relations officer and local authorities.
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Refrigeration industry glimpses its future
Andrew Gaved ManufacturingI recently attended the Chillventa exhibition in Nuremburg, Germany, which provides a biannual opportunity to see many within the European cooling industry in one place. The fact that so many manufacturers converge on Chillventa provides a rare chance to take the pulse of the industry and allows us to get an idea of what is on the collective minds of the supply chain.
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HVAC units require special care during the winter months
Doug Haymore Facilities & GroundsWhen we think of maintaining our facilities during the winter months, our first thoughts generally go to removing snow from the parking lot and walkways. That is definitely an important area of focus, as snow and ice have been known to lead to slip and fall injuries.
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For the love of the city: Transforming a community by connecting people
Brie Ragland Construction & Building MaterialsArchitects and city planners tend to think of cities and towns in terms of form, functionality and safety. Does this space provide what it’s intended to provide? Does foot traffic adequately flow and allow convenience and ease of use?
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Global HFC agreement is historic, but now the work really starts
Andrew Gaved Facilities & GroundsLet me start by saying well done to all those from outside of Europe who were involved in the historic agreement in Kigali, Rwanda, to phase down HFCs around the world. The choice of the word "monumental" by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was an apt one.
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Parks offering health benefits that span generations
Bob Kowalski Facilities & GroundsChildhood obesity is a cause that has attracted concern all the way to the White House. Senior mobility has been proven to improve overall health, especially mental health. And studies have shown that being active in middle age pays health dividends later in life. If only there were a way to provide health benefits to all three age groups at the same time.
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Statoil’s headquarters: Sending a message through office design
Lucy Wallwork Natural ResourcesAfter a quick-fire 20-month construction period, the Oslo headquarters of Norwegian state oil and gas company Statoil opened in 2012. It has been described as the "office of the future" and potentially one of the world's best offices. What message does it send about the future at the cutting edge of national oil companies (NOCs) and energy corporations?
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How M2M technology can transform your business
Alan Kelsky ManufacturingOnly a generation ago, manufacturing facilities saw the first use of computers on the shop floor to control some minor manufacturing scheduling tasks. Today, computers are ubiquitous in manufacturing plants. They are found as the source of instructions for robotics used in producing items as diverse as reeds for wind instruments to running complex internal analysis and diagnostics for machinery used daily in the manufacturing process.
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Start planning now to tackle snow at your facilities
Doug Haymore Facilities & GroundsIt's still warm in many parts of the United States, but for businesses operating retail locations, this is the time of year to start thinking about the winter — specifically about how snow and ice will be managed. While a white winter sounds great, it can be a burden for those in charge of facility maintenance. Snow can wreak havoc on your property, causing damage to your parking lot and hurting your curb appeal, as well as posing a safety hazard for patrons.
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