TECHNICAL FOCUS
SENSORS: THE HIDDEN WORKFORCE IN A BUILDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM In a world of smart buildings, the link between building management systems and IT has never been more critical, but these computer-based systems require an army of efficient sensors to ensure a building’s performance is optimised. Stacey Lucas, Commercial and Marketing Director of smart sensor supplier Sontay, offers insight into the vital role of sensing devices and how they help create smarter buildings. SONTAY
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e reportedly spend more than 90% of our lives indoors, whether at home, school or in the workplace, with air quality being crucial to the levels of comfort felt within these spaces. Ventilation, temperature and pressure regulation contribute to maintaining a happy atmospheric medium, which, in a work environment, helps increase employee contentment, leading to increased productivity and fewer sick days. Sensors can control a myriad of elements that affect our indoor climate, including temperature, which in relation to an office environment is found to be around 22°C. However, relative humidity, if not managed correctly, can make a room feel hotter or colder than the actual temperature reading. A sensor can help overcome this issue by providing data to a BMS managing humidity levels and ensuring an ideal 50% reading is maintained. In terms of air quality, airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – pollutants which are found in paints and other building materials – are known to have a detrimental effect. The same harmful chemicals are also present in hand sanitisers, aggressive cleaning products and detergents, the demand for which has been unprecedented since the onset of the coronavirus crisis. Air quality sensors are able to measure VOC levels and alert occupants of the need to take action when a potentially hazardous reading is recorded.
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Sensors enable accurate data Building sensors, installed as part of an efficient building management system, offer an ingeniously smart and effective way of remotely monitoring indoor conditions. Designers and consultants need to be sure the equipment being used will perform as efficiently as possible, which is why access to accurate, reliable data detected initially by a sensor will ensure products endure the test of time and help maintain the optimum environment for inhabitants. As well as assuring a system works efficiently once installed, a consultant must also consider whether the products they have specified will perform as intended. On handover, sensors give eventual asset owners more control over the performance of a building and its energy usage; a benefit that not only helps reduce heating and lighting costs but also facilitates a significant reduction in a building’s carbon footprint. As well as assuring quality, performance and efficiency, sensors could be a factor in driving environmental initiatives, such as the UK Government’s pledge for carbon-neutral status by 2050.
