Facility managers are increasingly looking to adopt the Internet of Things (IoT) in their building maintenance strategies, with 60% of professionals predicting that IoT will impact their building and maintenance policies within the next year, according to a survey by Schneider Electric.
Roughly two out of three respondents plan to increase investment in building capital expenses in 2016, including advanced building technologies. A few factors are hampering facility managers from taking full advantage of building data, the survey indicated. Seventy percent of facility managers said that their building management staff is very or extremely skilled in data analysis, but only 27% utilize data-driven analytics solutions for building management.
Key barriers to uptake include the amount of funding required (39% say that is a top concern), and a lack of internal resources available to interpret data into actionable results (31% report that as a top concern). Only 26% of respondents feel that available building information is totally adequate for facility maintenance planning. A majority of respondents cited room for improvement in this area, and only 15% said that they fully utilize predictive maintenance tools to proactively assess and target equipment maintenance.
“Facility professionals need to be able to better visualize what’s happening across their footprint and make educated decisions to correct and improve conditions,” said Brett Wheless, director of field services, Schneider Electric. “More than half of facility managers are still largely reactive when it comes to maintaining building systems, which can have major impacts on occupant comfort and can decrease the life of the building. We are now seeing a change in attitude among facility professionals that is driving them to think differently about the way they collect and assimilate building data.”
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jun 6, 2017
New York City will require construction superintendents on buildings higher than three stories
New laws focus on construction safety.
Codes and Standards | May 30, 2017
Industry Groups move toward Unified Green Building Model Code in 2018
The effort involves combining ASHRAE's Standard 189.1 with the International Green Construction Code.
Codes and Standards | May 30, 2017
OSHA suspends electronic injury, illness reporting requirement
The agency is keeping records from being publicly disclosed—for now.
Codes and Standards | May 30, 2017
Florida preparing to adjust to new building elevation requirements
New floodplain maps and state code changes loom.
Codes and Standards | May 30, 2017
Heated debate over whether Calif.’s prevailing wage requirement stymies affordable housing
There’s disagreement around how much pay regulations add to cost of projects.
Codes and Standards | May 25, 2017
Technology is influencing parking requirement codes in new developments
Uber and Lyft make it easier for urban dwellers to live without owning cars.
Codes and Standards | May 25, 2017
Better Buildings Challenge Partners on track to reduce energy usage by 20% in 10 years
More than 1,000 proven solutions are now available on DOE web site.
Codes and Standards | May 22, 2017
Affordable housing initiative drives surge in residential unit permits in New York City
New permits tripled from year-ago period.
Codes and Standards | May 22, 2017
Amid labor shortage, industry groups urge government action to boost trades
AGC says a shortage of qualified workers is limiting the economy from adding more jobs.
Codes and Standards | May 19, 2017
Spate of sinkhole incidents points to neglected infrastructure investment
Suddenly appearing caverns cause deaths, evacuations, interruption of utility services.