Modern Building Services

FEATURE SMART BUILDINGS MODERN BUILDING SERVICES FEBRUARY 2021 13 More information can be found at www.comms365.com holistic insight across the devices to improve operational agility, resource allocation and overall impact on the environment. Cost-Effectiveness One of the main goals within facilities management is around cost-efficiency. FMs serve a contract to provide services to buildings, which go through many negotiations year on year where everything from the toilet paper to the soap is under continual cost scrutiny and pressure. Can technology make a difference? Technology innovation has led industries to continually strive to be more cost-effective and productive. Building Information Management Systems (BIM) can become more advanced through the combination of IoT and BIM. There is a critical role for IoT and connected sensors to play in terms of contributing or blending data into the BIM, which then provides a live dashboard that can alert FMs about any key areas across the building management which require their attention. This helps to simplify the day-to-day operations into a single system, as well as reducing the costs for device management and reporting. In addition to this, merging 5-D within building information modelling allows projects to be physically and functionally viewed in five- dimension. Not only does this allow for the design process to be more cost-effective and planned in detail, but it can also predict and show any issues which might appear. Once this digital infrastructure is in place, it also opens up the possibilities for risk mitigation. Risk management remains one of the most substantial elements that dictate the final cost of any construction project. Technology innovation such as access to real- time data and cost control can help to provide a level of transparency that allows for a fair share of risk and success for all parties involved. Smart Buildings in the ‘New Normal’ COVID-19 has acted as a catalyst for digital innovation and transformation across many industries, and this isn’t any different for the impact it can have on smart buildings. We’re already seeing this transition take place in offices who have re-opened for employees, including the automation of shared touchpoints, such as door handles, elevators and sanitary systems. However, there is room for this transition to be made in smart homes. Especially when taking into consideration social distancing measures and an increased emphasis on hygiene and ventilation, connected technology can help to ensure that people are kept safe and measures are enforced, such as indoor air sensors to measure air quality. Over the next five years, connected property services will become more agile, dynamic and responsive, tailoring to their occupants’ needs. The Property Managers that are able to embrace IoT at scale, deliver wider capacity and manage more complex operational processes, with the aid of technology, will see company-wide benefits, including improvements to energy use and resulting reductions in energy costs, both short and long term. By seamlessly connecting facilities management and operations, and exchanging relevant data, smart buildings can deliver smarter, economical and environmentally housing with safer tenants.