With the new year comes the time to reflect upon what was and consider what shall be. This is no different for facility managers; we too need to examine what does and does not work for us and our facilities.
The lads and lasses over at Today’s Facility Manager looked into this as well, and this is what they believe will be working this year.
1) HVAC Refrigerants Decline
HVAC refrigerants will be even more less common in 2014. This is because emitted chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC), and hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants are greenhouse gases that damage the planet’s stratospheric ozone, the zone in the upper atmosphere that protects us and our planet from harmful ultraviolet B radiation. These greenhouse gases have been being phased out for decades.
2) Increased Technology Use
Facility managers will depend even more on the internet, information technology, and specialized software such as work order tracking software in 2014. Not only will facility managers use such technology more this year, they will be tasked with supporting it more as well. Many facilities have their own data centers that need to be maintained, kept cool and safe, and powered.
Saying that more and more facility managers will need to take care of data centers in the future, Chris Koerner, critical facilities manager of T5@LA, said, “Developing a comprehensive preventative maintenance program with equipment specific methods of procedure (MOPs) and extensive documentation is critical to the operation of all IT, electrical, and mechanical data center equipment.”
3) LED Lighting
Another projected major change in facility management is that more managers will be leaving linear fluorescent lighting for LED lighting. This is due to the latter’s energy efficiency, ease of maintenance, and long-life properties. Facility managers are learning that LEDs save time and money.
4) Web-Based Connectivity
Web-based facility management is another trend that should shake up the industry in 2014. Making use of web-based work order tracking software and the like, this trend is especially exciting for facility managers because it provides them real-time, actionable data. Also, web-based facility management allows facility managers to operate their facilities remotely.
5) Green Cleaning
The final of the five trends that many say will increase in 2014 is green cleaning. Specifically, the facility management soothsayers say that the use of electrolyzed water as a cleaning agent will dramatically increase this year. This specially-treated water sanitizes and cuts through grease while, remaining environmentally friendly. This last point is a strong one since no facility manager can afford to get on the wrong side of the Environmental Protection Agency.
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