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 | Aug 29, 2019
Code-conforming wood design guide available
The guide summarizes provisions for the use of wood and wood products in the 2018 IBC.
Codes and Standards | Aug 29, 2019
LEED residential market up 19% since 2017
The U.S. Green Building Council says that the LEED residential market has grown 19% since 2017. Nearly 500,000 single family, multifamily, and affordable housing units have been certified globally.
Codes and Standards | Aug 27, 2019
Slower speed limits in urban areas offer multiple benefits
Improved safety, better adoption of electric scooters and autonomous vehicles are possible if drivers ease off the accelerator.
Codes and Standards | Aug 27, 2019
Renewables creating significant savings for commercial and public facilities
Payback ranges from five to 15 years.
Codes and Standards | Aug 27, 2019
Oregon rescinds tsunami-zone construction ban
Other states have no ban, but have strengthened building codes for tidal wave resilience.
Urban Planning | Aug 27, 2019
Pop-up parks revitalize empty lots
Pop-up parks that provide instant open areas for public use and programming can revitalize under-utilized spaces and add vibrancy to neighborhoods.
Codes and Standards | Aug 22, 2019
Texas flood prevention initiative would create nation’s most ambitious barrier system
Plan including sand dunes and mechanical barriers would cost as much as $32 billion.
Codes and Standards | Aug 22, 2019
Multimedia app identifies construction hazards
Researchers say program will reduce injuries, save lives.
Codes and Standards | Aug 22, 2019
Cities take action to keep cool as climate heats up
Initiatives include cool streets, cool roofs, and broader urban tree canopy.
Codes and Standards | Aug 22, 2019
5G expected to give a boost to construction technology
Virtual reality, Internet of Things, robotics, and drones will all benefit from enhanced data flows.