In these modern times, where a lot of stress is put on the importance of recycling and saving resources, one may wonder if it’s wise to use reconditioned electrical equipment. After all, it is a great way to save money and use materials that would otherwise be thrown out. But one also must consider safety which is key when you are thinking about any kind of electrical materials. Well, that truth is, there are some times when it is safe to use reconditioned electrical equipment, and other instances when it is not. Read on to find out the best ways to determine whether the reconditioned electrical equipment you are using is safe.

Many people believe that reconditioned electrical equipment is not safe. The truth is, sometimes it can be even safer than its original state. This can be the case when old parts are replaced with newer components that are safer and more efficient. However, that doesn’t mean that all reconditioning is done safely. Determining whether or not your replaced parts are in accordance with safety standards. A few prerequisites must be met by the company that is updating the equipment.

GFCIs or ground fault circuit interrupters are safety devices that have been extremely effective in reducing the total number of home electrocutions by almost 50%, in Australia. Most new homes and businesses now have these devices installed in locations where water is present in and around the premises. It’s important that electrical installations in outdoor locations be protected from wind and rain; that’s the one way to prevent shock hazards.

Before we understand what a GFCI is, let’s understand what a ground fault is. It is the unintentional flow of electrical current between the source and any grounded surface. If the electrical installation isn’t properly protected, an individual that comes into contact with an energised part can suffer an electrical shock.

For instance, if the person is holding any deteriorated electrical cord attached to the hair dryer, and it happens to touch a plumbing fixture they are using, they can get electrocuted and will suffer a painful shock.

This small receptacle has “test” & “retest” buttons on it. It may sometimes be built into circuit breakers that are installed in the main electrical panels. When electricians are conducting an electrical audit, they also test whether the GFCIs are functioning properly. They might also recommend that you get GFCIs installed in the vicinity of plumbing fixtures.

These are extremely useful electrical safety devices which trip the electrical circuits in case they detect any leakage current or ground fault. An individual that’s become the pathway for a leaked current can get a severe shock or will get electrocuted. It is important to get GFCIs installed in any outdoor or indoor areas where you feel that water might come in contact with the electrical installations or fixtures you have on your property.

Ideally, the areas where GFCIs should be installed include:

It is important that these devices be checked with regularity. If you have opted for an electrical maintenance contract, the electricians will ensure that the GFCIs are checked along with all the other installations; this will help confirm they are working as they should and that they provide the necessary safety to those living or working on your premises. You can also test the GFCIs on your property, by following these basic steps:

If you aren’t too sure about whether you have GFCIs installed at the right points on your property, call in your local electrician. They will inspect all the fixtures and inform you if GFCIs have to be installed in any specific rooms or outdoor spaces. Aside from this, they will also audit the rest of the installations and tell you if any upgrades are required.

A hefty amount of our readers here on the MyLEDLightingGuide’s official blog consists of facility managers (along with contractors, government employees, and other decision makers). This post is made specifically for the facility managers and building owners out there to help keep you up to date and fresh on the latest news and opportunities for you and your buildings.

This list of 14 blogs will consist of some popular and most likely already heard of publications, along with a few lesser known places that you still may find extremely interesting. Picking a few from this list is definitely the first step to keeping up to date and staying ahead with your work.

There will be a brief description along with a URL for each blog / magazine listed, and it should give you a good idea or not if that facility management resource will benefit you more-so or not than others listed here. Now, let’s get started with this list…

2. Buildings.com

Another very popular publication which covers a lot of useful topics and products that any building decision maker should be aware of to create a more efficient and overall better workplace. They also have many courses and webinar on topics like life cycle costs, energy management, lighting, security, and more.

4. Maintenance World

As the name suggests, this blog leans on the side of maintenance based topics. Although, they often talk about topics that are important to any facility manager, such as cooling an industrial sized area. That is just a glimpse of the type of stuff this blog publishes, so reading more on what they offer may be important to seeing if this blog is worth your time or not!

6. FM World

FM World seems to put a lot of their attention on news, but all are topics that are probably very relevant to you and your tasks as a FM. They also (like many other of these blogs on this list) offer many different white papers which carry tons of valuable information in them. Along with professional interviews, webinars, and other pieces of content they are very well rounded in the variety of things that they offer.

8. The Built Environment

They don’t only talk about the environment and green buildings, but surprisingly they publish a lot about facility managers and how to become a better one in general. You can thank Michel Theriault for this great resource, as he is the brains behind it all. He also offers services such as consulting and training for FM staff, so if a budget allows and you want to become a better FM; that’s always an option!

10. Building Automation Monthly

Phil Zito is the creator and sole person behind Building Automation Monthly. He writes about and educates on the topics solely regarding building automation systems. No time for reading? Phil offers a Podcast which covers many different great topics as well. So, next time you are driving or taking a flight you might want to listen in to his podcast!

12. The fmguru blog

Although this blog doesn’t seem to be updated as often as many others on this list; their past and current posts are a good read. They are definitely insightful and thought provoking on the tasks and purposes of a facility manager.

14. i-FM.net

Like their headline says, “if you’re in FM, you need to be on i-FM.” They offer tons of content through news, interviews, top 50 list of great and relevant companies, and overall great resources.

Missed any that you think is worthy of being added? Be sure to comment them down below, this list is always being updated!

Final Words

There you have it, 14 (and growing) facility manager blogs, magazines, and resources that will hopefully make you an informed, up to date, and more educated facility manager overall. Our #1 tip for you is to pick two or three from this list that really peak your interest, and make it a ritual to check in on them often for the latest content that they offer.

Again, if we missed one that you think should be added; feel free to comment it down below for consideration!

Want more of our topics for facility managers? Here are some: