The rate at which building automation systems is expanding is expected to attain $141.1 billion market value by the year ending 2025. This will be a great increment from 2016’s $49.2 billion. These are the findings of the research published in November, 2017 by the Persistence Market Research. According to the research’s findings, the global intelligent building systems market is mainly segmented as building energy management, security and surveillance, HVAC and lighting solutions among others.
It is therefore evident from the above research that 2018 will see very new smart building technologies replacing the old ones. Commercial buildings are increasingly making transition into intelligent buildings for their own growth. These buildings are efficient in helping the management save more money and improve the general building operations.
Commercial general contractors are expected to work an extra mile to ensure that their works have provisions to incorporate these new building techniques according to clients’ requirements. This post highlights some of the latest intelligent building technology trends which are already in execution or are expected to be used in 2018.
1. Predictive maintenance
This intelligent building tech employs the concept of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors plus other hardware components and devices to generate a report about a commercial building’s state together with all equipment contained in it. This is essential as it gives exactly the time building maintenance should be carried out.
By using predictive maintenance, the usual problems that crop up or are related to preventive maintenance can be easily overcome. It also makes it very difficult for any commercial activity to be interrupted since it is carried out only when necessary so to keep the surroundings running each time.
2. Use of IoT smart applications
The usage of applications is expected to be implemented in 2018 for construction of smart buildings. Thermal imaging for instance will assist facility managers determine which equipment are not within the temperature range. This way, such equipment can easily be detected and appropriate maintenance measures carried out before they can cripple the system.
Ultra-sonic noise detection is another example. In electrical transmission lines, any one that has holes or cracks normally produces ultrasonic sound. In usual occasions it may go without notice, but through smart building technology, the location of the cracks can easily be tracked down and maintenance done before fatal accidents can occur.
3. Use of prefabricated building components through IoT
General contractor San Francisco firms are increasingly embracing the use of pre-engineered or pre-fabricated steel components for construction management. Luckily, this is a trend that is also listed among the new intelligent building technologies for 2018. Through pre-fabricated components, commercial contractors can easily complete massive projects in the shortest time possible as compared to the traditional construction methods. IoT when combined with the technique of pre-engineered steel in construction, the old bulky construction equipment are being replaced with sensors which are easily controlled through indicators like temperature fluctuations and vibrations.
Thus comes a long way in terms of saving money, energy and maintenance costs since any rotary parts are eliminated altogether.
Internet of Things has greatly improved industrial construction management by offering the following functionalities:
- Equipment monitoring and repairs through advanced sensors.
- Inspection of equipment is now done with sensors.
- Implementation of safety through IoT sensors and RFIDs.
4. Digital ceilings from Cisco
IoT has actually taken the industry of smart building by storm. Virtually everything has IoT incorporated, even the recent digital ceilings. These ceilings employ motion voice, video and data sensors which are implanted in the lighting systems to automatically communicate and manage building services and systems.
When there is building entrance, the sensors auto-detect traffic, light intensity temperature levels and Bluetooth signals. These are then transmitted to master controller. Depending on the pre-set settings, the system actuators can automatically adjust the room temperature, lighting among other things to suit the current situation.
The good thing with this technology is that building tenants can choose to carry out their own tenant improvements to have it incorporated if it is missing. With the right commercial general contractor San Francisco firm, building owners or tenants can have this technology be incorporated in their facility.
5. Cybersecurity
Cyber security isn’t only an issue with the users on the web only, but a lot more crazy stuffs can also be implemented on those buildings that are controlled by IoT technology and systems. Cyber criminals, activists and vandals who are often ready to do more harm to any commercial building can be put at bay through buildings that are cyber security conscious.
6. Virtual / Augmented Reality
First, we got to understand a few terms. Augmented reality simply integrates information with the real time user’s environmental perspective. Virtual reality on the other hand is artificially created environment created by advanced software, sound and sight. How can these two technologies be used in diagnosing malfunctioning HVAC? IoT sensor can project the image to a mobile tablet with an overlay of the Original Manufacturer (OEM) specifications, giving repair suggestions on the image.
Instead of making endless trips to diagnose and find out what is the problem, a technician can simply diagnose the needed repairs then come on site fully equipped with required components to carry out the repair task in one attempt only.
A similar combination of AR and VR can be used for training technicians on the field remotely by walking the maintenance personnel through the complex processes. That’s pretty cool, isn’t it?
And it will be prudent of you to work with industrial construction companies that are updated with these range of smart building technologies if you want the same implemented right on your facility. Are you thinking about implementing the smart building technology into your commercial structure for your next project? Many buildings already did that! Check the below case study and see the reason why you need to hurry!
Case Study: Visitor Management in hotels
This is where a seamless management of visitors has been implemented in buildings where meetings often take place such conference centers. This implementation has borne fruits in many situations as it has proved useful in management of meeting attendees, site visitors and employees. Users can place early bookings for a meeting yet to take place or simply as a general visitor.
During the person’s visiting, they are given a more personalized reception through reception displays, welcome messages as well as badge printing. Through the active check-in sensors at reception, visitors arriving can be detected and a notification sent to the host. Visitors can then be directed to their appropriate meeting rooms with the help of the building’s security so as to give them access to lifts, doors etc. only on the approved routes.
This visitor management technology is increasingly being used and one of the recent implementations is the case of Intercontinental Toronto Centre Hotel. The hotel uses an access management system which is RFID enabled, from ASSA ABLOY to control the areas visited by visitors, at what time guests are allowed entry into certain areas and when more than one guests can use the same card to enter a room, make payments or access the hotel’s services.
