Facility management systems practiced today in large spaces of an organization can be quite taxing. This is where building automation solutions come into play. They manage and control the different systems within a building, like lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), and security. These systems automatically ensure everything works well, consumes minimum energy, and the buildings are comfortable.
Let us delve deeper into building automation and how it is changing the practice of Facility management and making the life of a Facility Manager easier.
What is Building Automation?
Simply put, Building Automation means the technology of controlling and operating different systems in a Building equipped with such systems. These systems include HVAC systems, lights, security, and so on. These systems are operated automatically or via remote communication using sensors, controllers, or other building automation components. This means less physical work is done, less time is wasted, and work is done efficiently.
Benefits of Building Automation for Facility Management
Аlternative and more energy-saving solutions offered
Energy efficiency is one of the most important merits of epitome building automation solutions. The automated systems’ monitoring of installed electronics improves efficiency by leveraging real-time feedback and adapting to situations. For instance, the system can use less lighting or temperature during unoccupied periods.
This helps reduce the energy bill and make the world a better place. Using automated controls may easily afford quite a bit since a facility manager becomes very efficient in energy conservation.
Management of several aspects from one place
Building automation promotes the integration of technology by providing a unified approach to controlling not only the environmental management of the building covering such functions but also the heating and other functions of the building. One control panel is enough for managers to control all HVAC equipment, lights, video surveillance systems, etc. You don’t have to go to different locations and care for different systems; it makes operation with such a building more convenient.
This type of control makes operation easier, eliminates additional systems, and reduces errors.
Wider Safety and Security Measures
Due to the building automation components, the building is safe from theft, and facility and occupation safety are secure. Such components function to assist in monitoring movements and activities in real-time. If there are any problems, the system can also activate alarms, locks, and other security measures.
Automated security systems ensure the building is always built, with or without anyone paying attention to it directly.
Facility Management
Facility maintenance can be expensive if problems are not detected early. Buildings come with building automation solutions that can monitor equipment performance and notify facility managers when repairs are needed. For instance, sensors inside HVAC systems or elevators can assess risks and make maintenance calls before any major fault occurs.
This predictive maintenance is not only said to be time-saving but will also save costs because all repairs are conducted on problems that have not escalated.
Improved People’s Comfort
Automated systems control temperature and humidity levels, lighting, and air contamination standards, facilitating optimal indoor environments.
These consequences make it easier for facility managers to receive fewer or no complaints from occupants, and for them, fewer manual changes of the setting are needed to warm the occupants.
Conclusion
The facility management industry has made vast improvements in the last few years due to building automation solutions. These solutions have made processes more efficient, increased safety, and reduced costs. As facilities managers manage the building operations more efficiently, it has become easy to employ more building automation components. It is possible to control, operate, and maintain several systems from one point.
Even with new advancements in building technologies, the creation of efficient structures will require the adoption of building automation, which helps in the efficiency of building operations and enhances the optimization of comfort and energy consumption within the facility.
