This non-profit corporation offers extensive information about teleworking, including news, education, legislation, business continuity planning (COOP), virtual call centers, tools, and much more.
Resources for FM Professionals
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) created this interagency telework Web site in order to make telework information accessible and understandable to federal employees.
This statewide environmental advocacy group’s mission is to educate and advocate for the protection of Tennessee’s environment and public health.
This site from the nonprofit, nationally recognized think tank Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism offers an extensive collection of resources related to the prevention of terrorism. Specific topics include: Anthrax; Biological Terrorism; Emergency Management; Lessons Learned; London Bombings; Nuclear Terrorism; Radiological Terrorism; Weapons of Mass Destruction; World Trade Center; and many more.
TRC is an independent institute dedicated to the research of terrorism, information warfare and security, critical infrastructure protection, homeland security, and other issues of low-intensity political violence and gray-area phenomena. The site provides in-depth daily news; intel and war reports; advisories; country and group profiles; terrorist attack archives; counter terrorism profiles; upcoming significant events in various countries; and documents.
This site from the nonprofit think tank Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism (MIPT) offers an extensive collection of resources related to the prevention of terrorism. Specific topics include: Anthrax; Bioterrorism; Nuclear Terrorism; Preparedness; Weapons of Mass Destruction; World Trade Center; and more.
A not-for-profit educational organization dedicated to advancing the industries of property valuation or appraisal and urban land studies and related areas. The site offers a forum for the discussion of any related issues, and provides up-to-date international and Thai news for both appraisal professionals and the consumer public.
This portal from the International Code Council and Delmar, a provider of learning solutions for ongoing career development, provides a wealth of information and support for industry professionals and workers looking to meet compliance issues and stay abreast of the sustainable construction industry. It features green building tips for consumers and industry experts, information on compliant manufacturers, industry news and information, green products, conformity assessment programs and codes, upcoming industry seminars and events, and various resources and tools.
An official source of U.S. federal legislative information (“in the spirit of Thomas Jefferson”). Includes current Congressional activity, related resources, and various methods to search the legislation.
This page from Compliance and Safety offers comprehensive tornado safety tips, including preparing for, surviving through, and recovering from tornadoes, backed by statistical data to underscore the importance of each tip.
A valuable source of information about toxic chemicals that are being used, manufactured, transported, or released into the environment. TRI is a publicly available database from the US Environmental Protection Agency that contains information on toxic chemical releases and other waste management activities reported annually by certain covered industry groups as well as federal facilities.
This program of the TURI at the University of MassachusettsLowell facilitates growth towards sustainable business practices, particularly for MA companies, by offering research and training in toxics-use reduction and pollution prevention.
Traditional Building Magazine‘s directory of services offered by architects, artisans, contractors, designers, installers, fabricators, managers, consultants, and educators in the custom building and/or restoration field. Offers local and regional resources searchable by general or specific categories.
This site from the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) gives information on tularemia, also known as “rabbit fever” or “deer fly fever.” The disease is reportedly extremely infectious, and makes an attractive weapon for use in bioterrorism, most likely in an aerosolized form. The site offers applicable OSHA standards and information on preventing and responding to a tularemia outbreak.
USGBC is a nonprofit community of leaders working to make green buildings accessible to everyone within a generation. The site offers information about the USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, education, resources, news & events, and more.
Formerly the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, the Access Board is an independent federal agency committed to accessible design for people with disabilities. Created in 1973 to ensure access to federally funded facilities, the Board is now a leading source of information on accessible design. The Board develops and maintains design criteria for the built environment, transit vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and electronic and information technology. It also provides technical assistance and training. The site includes information on ADA guidelines for facilities, federal facilities, recreation facilities, etc.
The center is dedicated to furthering knowledge about how humans perform and interact in all settings including work, transportation, defense, daily living, study and leisure. The site includes a calendar, and offers information on the UM program.
This site from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides information and resources for US&R, which involves the location, rescue (extrication), and initial medical stabilization of victims trapped in confined spaces. This “multi-hazard” discipline may be needed for a variety of emergencies or disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, dam failures, technological accidents, terrorist activities, and hazardous materials releases.
This site outlines the VA’s renewable energy projects engaged across the U.S. and its territories, organized by state or territory, along with an interactive map. It also offers links to resources on VA energy, water, environmental and vehicle fleet programs.
An entity of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), this government agency offers public education and training, fire statistics, a Hotel/Motel Fire-Safe List, research projects, and a Subject Directory with a list of training, publications, and other resources in such areas as arson, critical infrastructure protection, fire prevention & planning, incident management, and terrorism.
The US’s largest earth science research and information agency. The site includes USGS fact sheets, information about environmental hazards, publications, and data products.
The USGBC is a coalition of leaders from every sector of the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work. Member organizations partner with industry and research organizations and federal, state, and local government agencies. The site offers news, education, resources, and events, as well as the LEED rating system [see FMLink entry below].
USGBC is a non-profit community of leaders “working to make green buildings accessible to everyone within a generation.” The site offers information about the USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, education, resources, news & events, and more.
Developed by Certified Property Managers, this site offers a centralized database of information for the property management and real estate industries and their related areas of interest. Includes a directory to locate accredited management organization (AMO) real estate management firms; a directory of local chapters of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM); an extensive list of sites on various related topics (“Research”); real estate news; and products and services.
The U.S. government’s official Web portal to all federal, state, local, and tribal government agencies and resources tailored to businesses and nonprofit organizations. Search by government agency, topic, or audience. Includes an extensive reference center and contact information.
InterfaceAnalysis offers links to articles and resources about usability and usability testing.
InterfaceAnalysis offers links to articles and resources on user experience design.
InterfaceAnalysis offers links to information about user interface design and usability testing.
The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. The standard was developed and is continually refined by USGBC’s members.
This site from the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) links to several OSHA standards that include ventilation requirements. OSHA says that inadequate or improper ventilation is the cause of about half of all indoor air quality (IAQ) problems in non-industrial workplaces. The site explains how to recognize ventilation deficiencies, gives possible solutions for workplace hazards, and links to related resources.
This Current Intelligence Bulletin from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) offers information on fatal and nonfatal violence in the workplace and recommends general approaches to workplace violence prevention.
This site from the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers OSHA standards for walking and working surfaces that apply to all permanent places of employment. OSHA says slips, trips, and falls constitute the majority of general industry accidents, and cause 15% of all accidental deaths, second only to motor vehicles. The site explains the potential hazards and possible controls associated with walking/working surfaces, and gives additional information and resources.
WERC is an international association dedicated to the education and advancement of warehousing and distribution facilities professionals.
This site from the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Solid Waste (OSW) offers extensive information on all kinds of waste. Main topic areas include: commercial/industrial, recycling/pollution prevention, waste treatment/control, government, and hurricane response.
The US Environmental Protection Agency’s site about the spent or used water from homes, communities, farms, and businesses that contains enough harmful material to damage the water’s quality. Includes industrial waste from manufacturing sources.
The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Water site. Covers ground water & drinking water, water science, wastewater management, and other environmental and health & safety issues and regulations.
This not-for-profit technical and educational organization founded in 1928 works to preserve and enhance the global water environment. The WEF network includes water quality professionals from 30 countries. The site offers news information on water and sanitation, government affairs, conferences and training, and science and technology resources. It also offers a marketplace for publications, articles, and products and services.
WQA deals with treating water on the homeowner’s or business-owner’s property to prevent waterborne contaminants from entering a home or business. WQA is a resource and information source, a voice for the industry, an educator of professionals, and laboratory for product testing.
A wide range of water-quality-related news, information, regulatory matters, technology, and tips.
This site from the US Environmental Protection Agency explains the EPA’s Watershed Protection Approacha strategy for effectively protecting and restoring aquatic ecosystems and protecting human health by solving problems at the watershed level. The strategy includes promoting a high level of stakeholder involvement and finding integrated solutions through multiple agencies.
This consortium advances water-related issues worldwide. The site offers links, events, a discussion forum, and other resources.
This calculator compares energy savings and paybacks for common lighting control strategies. It offers a Quick Assessment that allows users to enter a minimal amount of information and quickly calculate potential energy savings for a single room in a lighting system project with lighting controls; and a Full Assessment that presents anticipated savings using lighting controls and updated lighting for an entire building project.
WebAIM is a nonprofit organization within the Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah State University providing comprehensive Web accessibility solutions internationally since 1999. WebAIM’s mission is to expand the potential of the Web for people with disabilities by providing the knowledge, technical skills, tools, organizational leadership strategies, and vision that empower organizations in all sectors to make their own content accessible to people with disabilities.
The World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) works with organizations around the world to develop strategies, guidelines, and resources to help make the Web accessible to people with disabilities. WAI develops guidelines, support materials, and resources used internationally, and welcomes participation.
Offers a seal of quality assurance/credibility for e-merchants and employers, and an avenue for consumers/job seekers to check a company’s credibility or submit a complaint.
Provides monthly updates of key facility cost indexes, including maintenance & repair, and new construction costs. Also offers Whitestone research reports, as well as their priced products and services.
This online guide provides government and industry practitioners with up-to-date information on a wide range of building-related guidance, criteria, and technology from a whole buildings perspective. It is a collaborative effort among federal agencies, private sector companies, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions. Each section features summaries of key topics as well as practical guidance, tools, and related building codes and standards. Topics include: sustainability, water conservation, indoor environmental quality, and reducing the environmental impact of materials.
Web-based portal providing government and industry practitioners one-stop access to up-to-date information on a wide range of building-related guidance, criteria, and technology from a “whole buildings” perspective. Offered by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), it is a collaborative effort among federal agencies, private sector companies, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions. Major categories: Design Guidance, Project Management, and Operations & Maintenance, plus links, news, and numerous resources.
Basic information and resources from the DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Under the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, this initiative aims to dramatically increase the use of wind energy in the U.S. The site offers maps of Installed Wind Capacity, State Activities, and Wind Maps and Resource Potential, as well as success stories, publications, news, a calendar of wind power-related events, and other resources.