BOMI International Boost
THIS SUMMER, SAVE ENERGY AND MONEY
The sun may be at its highest, but your spending doesn’t have to be.
It’s officially summer; time to crank up the air conditioning and empty your wallet, right? Wrong. Contrary to popular belief, it is fairly easy to save both energy and money during the hot summer months.
From virtual offices to virtual education, this issue of the Boost includes articles, updates, and educational offerings that will refresh what you know, or make you think. Either way, you will learn how to better manage your properties and facilities to reduce expenses and energy consumption, so you can worry a little less and enjoy the summer a little more.
SPOTLIGHT
The benefits outweigh the challenges.
Advances in technologies and inexpensive virtual networks now enable many people to work from their homes or remote locations. Although this working style has evolved into a very common business practice, there are millions more employees who could work outside of an office but don’t because their organizations do not support it. Hard to believe since the reasons for telecommuting’s popularity seem quite compelling.
- Cost reductions: Approximately 200 square feet of space is required to accommodate the average employee; this includes a workstation and all ancillary spaces. The attendant costs to maintain this space add up to a sizable amount of money.
- Pay incentives: Many teleworkers are willing to accept lower wages in return for what they perceive as a major quality of life benefit.
- Increased productivity: Many employees say they are more productive without the distractions of the office. And many employees cite the significant financial and timesaving benefits of not having to commute to and from work.
- Government support: Because telecommuting reduces air pollution and traffic congestion, the U.S. government has shown its support by launching initiatives of its own and encouraging businesses to participate.
While this may mean that fewer employees are physically in an office building during the 40-hour work week, there are still challenges for the facility manager. Luckily, there are also solutions.
Communications Issues
In order to minimize communication issues as much as possible, employers should determine from the beginning what equipment they will provide and what equipment the employee must provide. Even then, issues may arise. Take, for example, teleconferencing and videoconferencing tools. The most user-friendly tools can complicate computer and telephone connectivity and prevent the routing of information, presenting a technological challenge for facilities. As a way of eliminating the possibility for major issues, some facility managers enlist outsourced help in arranging for the hardware and software necessary for all communication avenues.
Space and Scheduling Issues
While mobile and remote working is becoming increasingly popular, there may still be a need for office space to host workers who must visit the office from time to time. A common practice of housing multiple employees in the same office areas at various times is referred to as hoteling. Like telecommuting, hoteling helps reduce the square footage required for each employee, which can drastically reduce overall office costs. However, it also represents a more complex management challenge for the facility manager who is often directly responsible for managing all scheduling and infrastructure requirements.
Mobile workers usually have demanding schedules that change frequently and unexpectedly, requiring a high degree of competence on the part of the facility manager, who must ensure that the necessary resources are available for every employee. Scheduling software can make this job much easier. Most Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM) systems have scheduling capabilities for individual offices, as well as conference rooms and other more traditional scheduling requirements. The best of these programs allow the facility manager to schedule resources and space, and to publish schedules so mobile and remote workers can access/modify the schedule online.
This article is adapted from BOMI International’s Technologies for Facilities Management course, part of the Facilities Management Administrator (FMA®) designation program.
Reducing infiltration and exfiltration.
When air leaks into your building from outside, you have infiltration; conditioned indoor air leaking out is exfiltration. Both can occur through cracks around windows, doors, dampers, and skylights, or whenever a door or window is opened. The type of openings in your building, along with the sufficiency of your weatherproofing, affects the amount of infiltration and exfiltration that occurs, but there are other factors, as well. The building’s structure, the direction and duration of the wind, and pressure differences inside and outside the building also affect air leakage.
Use the following guidelines when inspecting doors, windows, skylights, and other exterior surfaces for infiltration and exfiltration.
Windows and Skylights
- Replace broken or cracked windowpanes.
- Weather-strip the operable sash if cracks are evident.
- Caulk around window frames (exterior and interior) if cracks are evident.
- Repair windows. Be certain that all windows have sealing gaskets and cam latches that are in proper working order.
- Rehang misaligned windows.
Doors
- Install weather stripping if none has been installed.
- Replace any worn or broken weather stripping.
- Rehang misaligned door frames.
- Inspect all automatic doors to ensure that they are functioning properly. Consider adjusting doors to close faster.
- Inspect gaskets on garage and other overhead doors. Repair, replace, or install gaskets as necessary.
Exterior Surfaces
- Caulk, weather-strip, or install gaskets on all exterior joints, such as those between wall and foundation or wall and roof, as well as those between wall panels.
- Caulk, weather-strip, or install gaskets on all openings used for electrical conduits, piping, through-the-wall cooling, outdoor air louvers, and the like.
- Where practical, cover window air conditioners and through-the-wall cooling units when not in use. Specifically designed covers can be obtained at relatively low cost.
This article is adapted from BOMI International’s Energy Management and Controls course, part of the Systems Maintenance Technician (SMT®) and Systems Maintenance Administrator (SMA®) designation programs.
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EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS
Environmental Health and Safety Issues.
We have revised our Environmental Health and Safety Issues course and need participants for our pilot class! Your contributions and feedback will shape the finalized version of this course, helping us provide the best education possible. Additionally, you will:
Receive full credit for a designation course that you need to take.
Complete the course in ONLY 4 days and SAVE $550.
Take the final exam immediately after the class at no extra cost.
What will you learn? Learn to develop and implement proactive environmental/occupational health and safety programs. A few key topic areas include:
Compliance with ADA, EPA, OSHA, CERCLA, and other regulations
Environmental site assessments and sustainable practices
Indoor environmental quality, and asbestos and lead management
Hazardous waste, hazard communication, and emergency response
WHEN: September10 - 13, 2012 • WHERE: Annapolis, MD • COST: Only $550
($1,100 value; may not be combined with any other discounts)
For more information, click here. If you have questions, please call 1.800.235.BOMI or e-mail service@bomi.org.
Self-Study and Accelerated Review offerings.
We know balancing your work and life schedules is a job on its own, and fitting your education into that can be even tougher. This is why we offer all of our courses as a Self-Study option. By choosing to register for a course as Self-Study, you will be able to study independently and at your own pace, and fit your studies into your busy lifestyle. Choose a course from our listing and select Self-Study from the course schedule to register.
Accelerated Review
Register for one of our Accelerated Review courses this summer and save money! We offer a $100 Early Bird Discount for BOMI International-sponsored Accelerated Review courses when you register 30 days prior to the start of the class, and a $200 discount when you register for a BOMI International-sponsored Accelerated Review course 60 days prior to the start of the class. Ethics Is Good Business® Short Course™ is not included in either discount. This discount is automatically applied to your registration at the time of payment. Please note: BOMI International courses are offered throughout the country through partnerships with local Building Owners and Managers Associations (BOMA Locals). BOMA Locals that sponsor BOMI International courses set their own prices, so if you register for a BOMA Local course, prices may vary.
The following are BOMI International-sponsored Accelerated Review courses for August – December. If you do not see a course and/or location listed that you need, check our comprehensive course schedule.
August
September
October
November
December
Offerings beginning September 4.
This study method is highly recommended for business professionals needing the flexibility to learn conveniently when and where they want. Courses are accessible 24/7, including mobile connectivity. Online courses allow for daily interaction with expert instructors and the sharing of professional knowledge and experiences with peers on a national level. With the exception of Ethics Is Good Business® ShortCourse™, all courses adhere to a 15-week schedule. Each course will have a specific schedule and syllabus relating to the number of chapters covered throughout the course (with a minimum of one chapter covered per week).
BOMI International offers a $100 discount for an Instructor-Led Online course if you register 30 days prior to the start of the class. Please note that Ethics Is Good Business® ShortCourse™ is not included in this discount. This discount is automatically applied to your registration at the time of payment.
Register before August 4 to save $100!
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UPDATES AND MORE
Tradeshow events and other notifications.
Below is a listing of upcoming tradeshows and conferences in which we are participating. We hope to see you at our booth on the expo floor!
NFM&T Vegas October 2 – 3, 2012; Las Vegas, NV (Booth #527)
2012 J. Bradley Kennedy Scholarship Recipient
After reviewing a total of 18 completed applications, BOMI International is proud to announce Nakisha Winbush as the recipient of the 2012 J. Bradley Kennedy Scholarship. Nakisha will be able to use her scholarship award beginning July 2012. Congratulations, Nakisha and thank you to all who submitted an application!
New Partnership Offers Additional Education Opportunities
Attention Systems Maintenance Technician (SMT®) and Systems Maintenance Administrator (SMA®) designation graduates: we have forged a partnership with the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council's (NEEC) Building Operator Certification (BOC) program to offer more opportunities for competency credits and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points. Enhance your education and advance your career! Take advantage today—click here to learn more!
"We are encouraging [graduates] to further enhance their education and obtain the required knowledge to
perform their job well, add value to their company, and accelerate their career.”
–Jeffrey A. Horn, President and CEO, BOMI International
BOMI International Goes Social
BOMI International has officially launched our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages!
Like us on Facebook and check out our Fan Page to take advantage of special discounts/promotions! Follow us on Twitter for tweets and retweets about industry events, upcoming courses, and other news. Also, be sure to connect with us on LinkedIn for updates about our organization, employment opportunities, and more!
Are you keeping your designation active?
By keeping your designation active you will expand upon your knowledge and stay current with the latest industry developments and best practices. Review our Active Graduate Directory for a list of graduates who are active in the CPD program.
Earn CPD Points
BOMI International has developed a list of organizations who are approved CPD providers. Course credits from these organizations will be accepted and applied toward your CPD requirements, as long as proper documentation is provided to BOMI International. Click here for all of the forms you need to keep current with your CPD program, including your program status, reactivation, and point verification.
Online Professional Development Program
In September 2012, we will be offering the Sustain Smart Seriessm program, giving graduates an opportunity to earn up to 15 CPD points! The Sustain Smart Seriessm is a two-part program focused on strategies for working toward greener properties.
Series 1 features 7 modules that address Creating a Baseline and a Plan for Sustainable Initiatives. Upon completion participants will earn 7 CPD points.
Series 2 features 8 modules that address Best Practices for Sustainable Implementation. Upon completion participants will earn 8 CPD points.
Unlike our Instructor-Led Online courses, this program is self-guided, giving students the flexibility to proceed through both Series online at their own pace. There are no prerequisites for either Series 1 or 2. Anyone is allowed to register for either Series. For additional information on this program or to register, visit www.sustainsmart.com.
BOMI International-sponsored Courses
Active graduates may also register for a BOMI International-sponsored course to obtain CPD credit and receive a 10% discount. You may register for as many courses as you want, as often as you want. Click here to view our list of courses. Once you have chosen your course, be sure to enter Promo Code: BWGD1734 at the time of checkout.
If you have questions regarding the CPD program, e-mail service@bomi.org, or call 1.800.235.BOMI.
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