As part of the drive towards net zero carbon, suppliers are accelerating the development of new smart products that reduce energy consumption.
Ventilation installations, for example, are now intelligently connected and controlled by sensors throughout buildings. Compatible with the building management system (BMS), the system is continually being optimised through algorithms, to ensure a healthy environment while minimising energy waste.
According to Jupiter Research, the number of smart buildings globally is expected to increase from 45 million in 2022 to 115 million in 2026. This is welcome news for facilities managers (FMs), who acknowledge the benefits of smart buildings, including improved safety and time savings.
Recognising the merits of collaboration, building services manufacturers are partnering with internet of things (IoT), FM, and health and safety (H&S) experts, and tendering for projects as one entity. The partnership between Breathing Buildings, IoT Horizon and facilities management company Thomson FM, for example, is pitching for smart modular-accommodation projects.
IoT Horizon is a smart buildings company, working with clients on everything from technology selection and installation to monitoring and data-driven decision-making, with a focus on sustainability, cost reduction and improving indoor environments.
Pooling expertise allows for greater efficiencies, with IoT experts integrating all services into one digital software platform, and multi-sensors feeding back to a dashboard. This simplifies data viewing for FMs and building owners, enabling informed business decisions. Manufacturers can provide solutions tailored to building demands, avoiding over-specification, while FM and health and safety experts ensure compliance with regulations and achieve maximum efficiencies.
‘This collaborative approach is a real benefit as an FM,’ says Mark Whittaker, general manager at Thomson FM and chair of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management. ‘Having one digital platform, rather than multiple separate portals that are disconnected from the BMS system, streamlines the process and enhances efficiency.’
Clients generate numerous datasets, but this information is often underused
The partnership, led by IoT Horizon, is tendering for new-builds as well as energy-efficiency retrofits; analysing buildings’ existing data can yield significant benefits. For instance, considering access-control data alongside temperature and CO2 data can optimise heating and ventilation, ensuring energy is not wasted when occupancy is low.
Clients generate numerous datasets – such as BMS data and existing meter readings – but this information is often underused. ‘Many smart building companies fail to adopt a holistic approach that could benefit their projects,’ says Niamh Allen, managing director at IoT Horizon. ‘Our approach involves collaborating with industry professionals to maximise the effective use of this data.’
A recent project for a theatre company aimed to improve energy efficiency without compromising indoor air quality (IAQ). On a single digital platform, IAQ data was linked to the ventilation system to ensure safe CO2 levels were achieved without over-ventilation, and temperature sensors triggered higher ventilation rates during performances.
As buildings become more airtight and thermally efficient, IAQ becomes increasingly important. Efficient buildings must also provide a healthy workplace environment. Remote monitoring of indoor conditions allows tasks to be performed without an onsite engineer, which helps address the shortage of skilled FM engineers.
Smart buildings and sophisticated remote-monitoring technology can also help streamline health and safety demands. The Building Safety Act has increased the value of data and the need to evidence compliance. ‘The ability to evidence tasks is critical,’ says Whittaker. ‘A common platform to access data easily and demonstrate compliance is essential.’
About the author
Louise McHugh is a product manager at Breathing Buildings