FM Global, one of the world’s largest commercial property insurers, works with one of every three FORTUNE 1000 companies to develop cost-effective property insurance and engineering solutions to protect their business operations from fire, natural disasters and other types of property risk. Headquartered in Johnston, RI, the $4.8 billion company insures nearly $8 trillion in property in more than 130 countries.
FM Global’s new corporate headquarters is a 366,660 sq. ft. high performance building and ranks among Rhode Island’s greenest. The mutual insurance company views sustainability as a strategic asset, as it looks for new ways to reduce its impact on natural resources and the environment while operating a successful business. Prior to opening its new facilities in 2009, FM Global worked with National Grid’s Comprehensive Design Analysis (CDA) Program to identify energy conservation opportunities such as:
Replacing air-cooled compressors with evaporative cooled compressors that reduce energy consumption by using water to cool the condenser
- Variable frequency drives and lighting controls that reduce energy during low-use periods
- EMS (Energy Management System) monitoring and high-efficiency motors for the HVAC system
- Installing T5HO indirect pendant fixtures for office lighting
- Use of energy efficient gas boilers, water heaters and wall insulation
- Reflective roof coating that captures natural sunlight
These features make the new complex 40 percent more energy efficient than FM Global’s previous office building and 23 percent more energy efficient than similar buildings designed to standard energy requirements. Additionally, the building raises water efficiency, improves air quality and harvests natural daylight.
FM Global’s executive management team has a strong commitment to energy efficiency. A Corporate Sustainability Committee was created and more than 40 employees around the world have been named Sustainability Champions. They encourage fellow employees to take active steps to conserve global resources. Such efforts include recycling, use of environmentally sensitive plastic, electronic holiday cards and paperless meetings, to name a few.
The company also featured a Corporate Responsibility/Sustainability section in its Annual Report, as many of its policyholders look for new ways to reduce their own environmental impact. For more than 175 years, FM Global has helped its clients to prevent property loss and keep their businesses operational. With sustainability in mind, the company’s new green headquarters was built to last.