Smart Building Technologies

smart building technologies

Smart building technologies by NPI Connect have helped companies reduce their expenses, become more eco-friendly, and efficiently manage their building premises. If you would like to know more about smart building technology, please contact one of our associates.

What Are Smart Building Technologies?

A smart building is a structure that implements automated controls of settings for systems and utilities such as heating and cooling, ventilation, lighting, security, and much more. Also known as intelligent building technologies, smart buildings rely on microchips, actuators, and sensors that work together to collect data and subsequently make changes as necessary based on preset values. This allows the building and its services to function properly and cost-effectively.

Smart building technologies allow the infrastructures’ owners, operators, and managers to improve the functionality and reliability of the facility. This can lead to a reduction in energy usage and the optimization of space.

You do not need to build a new structure to take advantage of smart building technology. These automated systems can be integrated into preexisting properties, including those which are significantly older. The creation of a smart building can be linked to the core systems such as power meters, water pumps, fire alarms, security alarms, and other systems. In addition, smart technology elevators, shading, and access systems can be added.

Smart Building Technologies by NPI Connect

At a fundamental level, smart building technologies help occupants to enjoy better lighting, thermal comfort, clean air, and improved sanitation. Health care facilities, hospitals, schools, public offices, stadiums, shopping outlets, and corporate buildings can also take advantage of smart building technologies from NPI Connect.

Enhanced Safety of a Building: Perhaps one of the greatest benefits to smart buildings is the ability to control systems during a fire. When a fire alarm is triggered, the smart system can immediately respond before the fire department arrives. Smoke exhaust dampers will open, fans turn on, and the intercom system warns the occupants and issues instructions as to what they should do. Locked doors will open up and emergency lighting will activate.

Mobile Security: A web based smart system provides security personnel the opportunity to view live video feeds from a smartphone or portable device. This enables them to adapt and respond quickly to any breach that arises.

Environmentally Friendly: Monitoring the energy use of the building can help to reduce total consumption which can then allow for a greener building.

Further benefits of smart building systems include:

  • Productivity gain of the facility staff
  • Improved building strategy
  • Better security
  • Sustainability
  • Reduced energy costs
  • Enhanced decision making
  • Improved comfort
  • Increase in the net worth of the building

Some of NPI Connects building automation systems include:

  • Management of heating and air conditioning
  • Control of interior and exterior lighting
  • Access to the security and overall control systems
  • Fire safety and smoke evacuation systems
  • Power monitoring
  • Sound monitoring
  • Building condition monitoring
  • Remote management of the building

Benefits of Using Smart Building Technologies

There are many reasons why you might want to consider using smart building technologies in your building. From automated lighting to security cameras, adding smart technology in your building can bring it up to the most modern standard of what’s available in technology and convenience. Whether you are planning for a new building or considering updates for an existing building, one of our associates can discuss your needs and options. 

  1. Save Money
    Using smart building technology can save money by using efficient utilities that when run by automated systems save energy and money. These systems are specifically set up to adjust and adapt in order to run efficiently and effectively. The less energy and manpower your building requires in order to run day-to-day operations, the more money you will save.
  2. Make Life Easier for Staff
    When staff don’t have to monitor building utilities, lights, etc. they can be more effective in other areas of running a building and their day-to-day tasks. Buildings take a lot of work to keep things running smoothly and that work can be done more efficiently by modern technology. In many cases, buildings that are equipped with smart building technologies by NPI connect also require less staff on-site on a daily basis.
  3. Efficient Building Monitoring
    Keeping an eye on all of the systems and utilities of a building is a big job and it’s easy for things to be missed. When you have technology working for you in your building you can have early detection of potential issues. Smart buildings are set up to make monitoring an entire building easier and provide you with accurate data.
  4. Added Safety
    Security systems are an important part of any building in order to keep everyone safe. Smart building technology has not overlooked this important aspect of buildings and has options for the latest security cameras and monitoring systems that will assist in keeping your building and the staff or patrons safe. From cameras to motion sensors and the latest in security technology, your building can be a safer place for everyone within it and on the grounds.
  5. Eco-Friendly
    Using as little energy as possible can help a building have less of a negative impact on the environment and use less resources than traditional building standards and utility systems. By being more efficient, a smart building is less of a drain on the environment and provides a more sustainable approach to modern buildings.

There are so many options available to you when it comes to building and adding smart technologies to your building. Whether this a new concept to you or you have already done research on smart buildings, it is recommended that you discuss options and technology needs with a trained associate of ours to get a better understanding of all that is available and how it can be implemented in your building project.

5 Features Smart Buildings Have

Smart Building Technologies are quickly becoming the norm in the workplace, and for good reasons. Smart Buildings aim to give their users more control over their safety, comfortability, and productivity. Here are five features that Smart Buildings have:

  1. Measurement Sensors 

Smart Buildings use various sensors and detectors to send signals to their central management system. This use of visualization allows a Smart Building to analyze crucial data and improve a system’s performance in real time. Some aspects that these sensors monitor include:

  • Supplies
  • Temperature
  • Energy consumption
  • Overall capacity

Using this technology, business owners and workers can quickly analyze data and make adjustments to further save time and money.

  1. Improving Overall Comfort 

Every building should have a properly functioning HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. This HVAC system makes it easy for a business to improve its comfort levels by managing crucial aspects like:

  • A building’s air purification
  • Overall temperature
  • Humidity levels

Trying to keep on top of a building’s HVAC requirements can be difficult, especially when a business is already busy managing other crucial aspects. A small issue like a dirty air filter can quickly cause energy bills to skyrocket while also putting the health and safety of your workers at risk. By optimizing your HVAC system using smart building technology, you can quickly see an improvement in your employees’ performance. More comfort equals better productivity. Additionally, you can better maintain your HVAC systems which can prevent high repair or replacement costs down the road.

  1. Predictive Maintenance 

When managing a business, it can be easy to miss issues like certain security failures or HVAC systems needing to be repaired. Sometimes, minor issues can nearly be invisible before they escalate into bigger problems that must be addressed. Smart building technology can include advanced control systems that quickly notify you of an issue. Once notified, you can take immediate action to resolve the problem. Your smart building technology can immediately notify you if there’s an issue, no matter how small or large.

  1. Machine Learning and Self-Management Capabilities 

Smart buildings use machine learning, AI, and self-management programs to make your and your employees’ lives easier. These capabilities have many uses. For example, when a fire alarm is triggered, your smart building technology can cross-reference with how many times a false fire alarm has been triggered. Through real-time reporting, you can gain crucial data to help you prevent any maintenance issues or safety vulnerabilities.

  1. Remote Access and Interconnection 

All smart building technologies utilize interconnection and remote access. Besides connecting internal networks, smart building technology is also connected to the internet, and you can easily control all aspects of a building’s internal system no matter where you are. With internet access, you can also access data remotely as well. These processes allow you in-depth management and control. Besides overall convenience, having remote access and interconnection can help with other situations, such as security purposes. Discover suspicious behavior in real-time and notify the authorities even if you’re halfway across the world when you contact NPI Connect.

Occupancy Sensor FAQ

If you’ve looked into incorporating smart building technologies in your workspace, chances are you’ve heard lots about occupancy sensors. But how do occupancy sensors improve safety, comfort, efficiency, and even the performance of your employees? Read on to learn more about occupancy sensors, and see how the professionals at NPI connect can help.

How Do Occupancy Sensors Improve the Workplace?

Whether you’re looking at temperature sensors or motion sensors, incorporating occupancy sensors into your workplace can bring several benefits to your company and your employees. If you need to control the temperature to protect sensitive electronic equipment such as servers, or if you just want to know what areas of the office get the most traffic, occupancy sensors can provide real-time information about your workplace. They can also provide a sense of security and safety to your worksite.

What Type of Sensors Do I Need?

The type of sensor depends on the type of workplace, the concerns of your employees, and your own concerns as a property or business manager. As mentioned before, you may want to ensure servers are cool and employees are warm, but sensors provide much more information than that. You’ll know what meeting rooms are available, and how to properly adjust the internal space of your office to cut down on distractions and discomfort. You can choose from a variety, but the most popular are temperature, occupancy, and air quality sensors.

How Do Occupancy Sensors Boost Security?

Every employee wants to feel safe and secure. Automatic lighting and occupancy sensors can help. They’ll turn on lights when they detect motion, and they’ll keep your workspace well-lit when there are visitors – whether you’re expecting them or not. Additionally, digital building sensors can keep you informed about what offices are occupied, so you’re always kept up to speed about whether anyone is where they shouldn’t be.

Why Do I Need Air Quality Sensors in the Workplace?

In the post-covid world, we need to do all we can to ensure safety. Air quality sensors can tell you when your employees may be at risk, but they can also tell you when your employee performance can be boosted. Poor airflow can negatively affect employee performance, so environmental monitoring can help prevent discomfort, ensure efficiency, and (most importantly) ensure a happy and healthy work environment.

Can Occupancy Sensors Save Money?

Yes. When you have digital occupancy sensors controlling what lights are on (and when), you’re going to end up saving big on your lighting, heating, and cooling costs. Digital building occupancy sensors are a good way to make sure you have the best possible performance out of your workplace, but they’ll also ensure you’re doing your part and helping the environment by switching off the lights for you when you aren’t using them.

Get in Touch with NPI Connect Today

At NPI Connect, we know that you need every possible edge against your competition, and this means using all the tools at your disposal to ensure you have an efficient workplace. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how digital building sensors can improve your office, and see what else smart building technologies can do for you.

Are You Interested in Smart Building Technologies?

NPI Connect implements smart technology into companies of all sizes and types. If you are the owner or manager of a building and would like to know how NPI Connect can help you, please call us today to discuss our smart building technologies.