While previously thought of as something futuristic in nature, the world of smarter buildings is undoubtedly here. With the global building market valued at $49.28 billion in 2019, this number is expected to reach $127.09 billion by the year 2027.
While the market had been steadily growing for several years, this estimated jump is primarily down to the effects of Covid-19 - and how smart buildings actually provide numerous solutions to help us live safer and secure lives in our post-Covid world.
Between more secure building automation systems, enhanced security options, advanced touchless technology, and improved Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), there are plenty of reasons why smarter buildings are also safer buildings.
More secure building automation systems
Building automation systems are at the heart of any smart building. The combination of different building systems, including security, lighting and heating - to name a few - work seamlessly together as one centralised system.
The advancement of smart technology has paved the way for building management systems to continually improve, giving building owners and facilities managers greater control over the building and how it operates.
Many of these technologies focus on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), which has proved extremely helpful in the face of Covid. Air curtains, for example, not only help regulate temperature to minimise energy costs but they also provide a way to create a regular flow of clean air throughout a building. Smart air curtains can then be connected to the overall building automation system for easier management and control as the temperature changes throughout the year.
Smart buildings and touchless technology
When it comes to the workplace, many people have naturally become more concerned about their health and wellbeing, and overall safety in the office. In commercial buildings, even small things like operating lift buttons, light switches, or opening a manual door involve touching potentially contaminated surfaces.
The good news is that smart buildings offer new and exciting ways to increase the safety and security of employees and visitors while providing a healthier more hygienic space.
Nowhere is this more applicable than with the introduction of touchless technology in smart buildings. Much of this technology focuses on the various uses of biometrics, all of which have the same advantage of not requiring the user to physically touch any surface.
Voice-recognition systems are particularly useful in places that require high levels of security, such as data centres, research facilities or government buildings. They ensure only the voices of specific, authorised individuals are granted access to restricted areas.
Other systems that have traditionally worked by using touch, such as fingerprint scanners, can now be upgraded to provide touchless entry. Instead of relying on placing a finger upon a surface, more advanced systems are able to scan the fingerprint simply by the user passing their hand over a sensor.
What’s more, these different touchless solutions can be integrated into your building management system, allowing for greater control over your building’s security.
Help make your smart building a safer building
We understand that security can be complicated to manage, even more so in the post-Covid world. That's where we can help. From upgrading existing technology to installing new entryways, we’re here to keep you, your employees, and your visitors safe. Get in touch with a member of our team today for more information.
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