Initial efforts focused on the carbon footprint of government-owned buildings or set minimum standards for newly constructed buildings. Recent policies now require existing, privately owned commercial, institutional and multifamily buildings take action as well. Non-compliance will result in significant fines. As property owners confront their emission-reduction obligations, it will be important to prepare well in…

As hospitals grew, however, fire protection systems—and sprinkler systems in particular—weren’t retrofitted everywhere.  New spaces built in the last two decades may include sprinkler systems, but older spaces often do not.  And, while the problem isn’t endemic to hospitals and affects all types of buildings, hospitals’ mission-critical, lifesaving operations demand that occupants’ safety is paramount.…