Monique Merhige, President, Infusion Direct Marketing explores how commercial buildings are utilizing smart sensors.

The rise of smart sensors

Corporate America has gone through significant changes over the past few years based on how employees report to work.

The pandemic caused a surge in employees working from home and has since given rise to hybrid work, which involves the combination of working in an office and working from home.

As more companies shift to hybrid environments or back to traditional office settings, they are looking to optimize space usage to reduce costs and improve their workplace environments.

To do that, facility managers need to gather data on how their office spaces are being used which can include analyzing environmental factors, along with room, desk and floor utilization.

Smart sensors used in an office space can be classified into four different categories: occupancy monitoring, water leaks, environmental/air quality and noise/aggression.

Occupancy monitoring sensors

These can be placed in meeting rooms, at workstations or in any other space where there is a need to measure utilization data and follow occupancy levels.

These sensors provide important information to further understand how spaces are used which can help ensure there’s enough desk space for employees and create a comfortable and more productive workplace.

These sensors can also detect unauthorized access after-hours and excessive occupancy which could be dangerous.

Water leak sensors

These sensors can detect the presence of water (and other conductive liquids) in spaces such as restrooms, employee break rooms and laundry facilities.

This helps aid in the early detection of plumbing, HVAC and appliance failures.

It also helps in monitoring the building for any type of vandalism in areas such as public restrooms.

Both can be extremely costly to repair depending on the severity of the damage, the type of water damage/vandalism and where these issues happened.

Environmental sensors

These monitor the air that we breathe inside a building, which is just as important as the air we breathe outside.

Offices use environmental sensors to gauge temperature, humidity, lighting, noise and indoor air quality.

This data helps ensure that the office is properly maintained so employees can have a safe working environment.

These sensors can also monitor for carbon dioxide (CO2), volatile organic compounds (VOC), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate concentrations in the air.

When unsafe levels are reached, sensors alert building management personnel.

Occupants can take proactive actions to remediate this issue and these sensors can work with the HVAC systems to improve overall environmental efficiency.

These sensors can also detect if building automation systems (BAS), which are responsible for HVAC, electrical, lighting, access control, security and more, are working effectively.

If any issues are detected in either the BAS or HVAC, Internet of Things (IoT) smart sensors can send immediate alerts to maintenance staff.

In addition, they can detect temperature changes in the range -31˚F to 158˚F (-35˚C to 70˚C) and 0 to 99% relative humidity.

With this data, building management teams can also help prevent mold in commercial establishments.

Noise/aggression sensors

These sensors are used to determine the noise levels in an environment and detect abnormal sound patterns.

Having noise sensors in an office provides real-time information on where to find the most suitable places to work, which includes areas that are normally quiet.

They can also be used to detect noise escalations and even gunshots.

If a weapon is fired, sensors can pinpoint the location of the event and automatically alert security to help mitigate risks.

First responders can also be notified of the exact location to help coordinate a quicker emergency response.

Smart sensors build a solid foundation for safety

“Implementing smart sensors establishes a foundation for real-time data collection and event detection which is essential for smart and safe buildings,” said Mike Davis, Senior Director of Business Development at Motorola Solutions.

“By leveraging AI and machine learning (ML), these sensors not only monitor current conditions, but also can help prevent future events.

“As AI and ML advance, smart sensors will play a crucial role in creating intelligent, adaptive environments, ensuring long-term efficiency and safety.”

Facility managers are currently looking for ways to enhance both the safety and security of their buildings, while laying the groundwork for fully integrated smart buildings in the future.

By implementing smart sensors, building owners are not only addressing today’s pressing safety and security needs, but also positioning buildings to evolve into more intelligent, efficient and responsive environments as additional smart technologies are integrated.

Improving efficiency and safety in commercial office buildings can lead to more positive work environments.

With predictive maintenance, facility managers can maintain systems for optimal performance and improved efficiencies in HVAC performance.

As we move forward, the adoption of smart sensors will continue to increase as smart technologies are deployed in more commercial buildings.

Data analytics will help drive intelligent decision-making and create automated processes and procedures.

Investing in the right smart sensor today is an investment for a brighter tomorrow.

About Monique

Monique Merhige is the Founder of Infusion Direct Marketing and has over 20 years of marketing and public relations experience with technology companies ranging from security integrators to high-profile security companies.

Monique has served as an Adjunct Professor of Marketing at Dowling College on Long Island and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and an MBA in General Management.

She has authored numerous case studies and cover articles and continues to be a driving force in the security industry.

This article was originally published in the November edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.