Benefits of Intelligent Infrastructure on Us Buildings - Essay Example

Benefits of Intelligent Infrastructure on US Buildings With the new emerging forms of business needs as well as individual development, the tastes and preferences in the nature of buildings that house different businesses has evolved over time. Traditionally, a building made up of the normal mortar and brick was enough to house various tenants but with the increased technological advancement and changes in tastes resulting from market forces, integration of intelligent systems in buildings has increasingly gained popularity. The change in approach used to construct buildings has led to transformation of lives considering the level of integration of various components and services in a single or several buildings. This essay highlights some of the intelligent infrastructures installed in buildings as well as the benefits accrued from the use such infrastructures in US buildings. To begin with, intelligent infrastructure entails several parameters that are coordinated in a systematic way in order to produce an intended desirable result. According to Igoe, an ‘intelligent building’ is made up of “sensors, switches, and systems contained within the buildings infrastructure (that) are networked, communicating with each other and with a human operator through a control interface” (2007, p.1). In this case, systems such as air handling units, lighting, surveillance, safety, parking and water management are integrated by use of IT making it easy for the managers and tenants of buildings to be able to monitor and manage different utilities and services that add value to the property at ease (Madsen, 2008). Intelligent infrastructure in buildings has several benefits that are enjoyed by both the tenants and managers of such buildings. Firstly, intelligent infrastructure reduces operational costs for managers by facilitating accurate and timely monitoring of systems that consume intense energy (Madsen, 2008). Careful monitoring of systems such as air handling unit and lighting could help minimize total costs incurred in energy consumed to operate them since intelligent infrastructure can help to maintain regulated logins and logoffs. Further, intelligent infrastructure can also assist in detection of faulty circuits that could lead to excessive consumption of energy. An example of how intelligent infrastructure helps in reduction of operation costs is demonstrated by a campus developed by Ave Maria University. According to Madsen, the estimated operational costs were $3.60 to $4.25 per square feet but were reduced to $3.15 through integrated systems (2008, p.1). Secondly, intelligent infrastructure contributes to success of different types of businesses through optimization of service delivery. According to Spotlight on Intelligent Buildings Showcase, tenants put more effort to ensure business success considering the “reliable, timely and efficient services provided to them and customers” by ‘intelligent buildings’ (2007, p.34). This is because cost of rendering services is greatly reduced by use of ‘intelligent systems’ that enable efficient energy utilization as well as well as excellent communication systems. For example, collaboration between CommScope, Inc. and Redwood Systems led to a development of a platform that offered a solution enabling developers to save energy costs to a tune of 75% (Intelligent buildings 2012, p.1). Reduced energy cost benefits are passed on to the customers since low operation costs realized enable business owners to offer quality products and services to customers and intern stimulate business growth at a faster rate comparing to businesses located in buildings that lack energy efficient systems. Further, excellent communication systems in ‘intelligent buildings’ enable business operators to communicate effectively to their customers. This is well exemplified by Ballantyne Village in Charlotte, NC where customers can easily locate sellers and products in sale by use of screens in the building (Madsen 2008). Intelligent infrastructure in buildings also promotes excellent safety mechanisms that are critical to the occupants. Considering fire incidences, ‘intelligent buildings’ have well organized and coordinated evacuation systems that can greatly reduce losses resulting from fire damages. Systems for fire detection can alert the administrators any incidence of fire in early stages through smoke detection or abnormal changes in environmental temperatures. In addition, integration of fire detection systems with emergency response systems such as alert alarms and emergency power generators to power emergency-exit lighting signify a good emergency system that is paramount in dealing with fire emergencies (Igoe 2007). Further, elevators in most ‘intelligent buildings’ are programmed such that they can be recalled by fire departments in the event of fire alert through the fire detection systems. This way, the elevators can be controlled from fire department to direct people to safer floors if necessary. A good example in which integrated systems help to reduce damage caused by fire is the fire incidence at the First Interstate Bank Building in 1988 that claimed one life despite destroying four floors of the 62-storey building. Security level in buildings with intelligent infrastructure is admirable and has helped to provide ample working environment to the occupants of such buildings. The use of surveillance cameras and inspection gadgets at various points of entry as well as the car parking area is a normal occurrence in ‘intelligent buildings’. Security personnel have a designated room in which all surveillance can be analyzed and security data is stored. According to Carlini, all stake holders involved in developing building infrastructure have addressed security issue as “a must have” requirement to the occupants of buildings (2008, p.1). In this case, security infrastructure is incorporated to the architectural design of buildings to enable maximum results through strategic location of surveillance cameras as well as proper networking within the structure that can allow adjustments to be made later on. In addition, the advanced technology enables security personnel to get clear pictures by use of cameras with high definition and also monitor security situation on mobile devices such as laptops and smart phones like in the case of One America Plaza (Madsen 2008). Additionally, intelligent infrastructure contributes significantly to the environment conservation measures. This is made possible through integrated systems that lead to energy conservation in addition to efficient resource utilization. For example, the lighting and HVAC systems that consume a lot of energy are well monitored from a central point to ensure maximum efficiency in terms of energy utilization by ensuring that the systems are in a tip-top condition. Farther, the central monitoring of the systems enables operation of regulated schedules that encoiurage energy saving through timed logins and logoffs as discussed earlier. Madsen points out an example where harvesting system at 1000 Continental is synchronized with the day light by use of sensors to provide efficient light levels therefore contributing to energy conservation (2008). Unexpectedly, intelligent infrastructure in buildings contributes to additional revenues to the investors and occupants also. Provision of communication and excellent internet connectivity in ‘intelligent buildings’ attracts additional revenue to the investors in the long run by charging the tenants some fee for the additional services provided in the building. On the other hand, the tenants are able to generate revenue by use of the internet and communication systems by setting up businesses that generate income like cyber café. An example of how the intelligent infrastructure contributes to increased revenue is provided by One America Plaza where tenants are offered Wi-Fi services and are able to purchase high speed bandwidths that may not be available in other local areas (Madsen 2008). Besides the benefits enjoyed by the managers and tenants, intelligent infrastructure is also ‘healthy’ to structural status of the buildings. Recent technological advancements have led to the installation of self monitoring, diagnosis and correction apparatus in modern buildings and other structures. For example, the Stretch Measurement to Assess Reinforcement Tension cables used to monitor ground deformation is used in development of houses with greater safety standards (University of Toronto 2001). In addition, the development of laser scanners that can detect structural deformation and bio sensitive devices that can measure physio-chemical as well as biological changes contribute significantly to high quality maintenance in modern building. Lastly, intelligent infrastructure in buildings provides both entertainment and comfort to the occupants of the buildings. The internet connectivity as well as automated systems and excellent communication networks provide comfort to the tenants since majority of services can be easily accessed without having to physically get them. For instance, in buildings with intelligent infrastructure some services such as cleaning and laundry services can be ordered by tenants by use of special assigned codes. Further, the entertainment aspect is provided by use of internet and video services in such buildings. According to Madsen, students at Ave Maria Universitys Naples, FL, campus are able to access various services such as buying lunch and getting library books by use of wireless smart cards (2008). This is a good example of how intelligent infrastructure integrates various systems providing comfort to the end users of such structures. In conclusion, it is evident from the above discussion that despite the high costs involved in developing intelligent infrastructure the operational costs are minimized in the long run passing on several benefits to the owners and tenants of such buildings. In addition, intelligent infrastructure enables tenants enjoy the benefits accrued from technological development in various components that are used to make the infrastructure. References Carlini, J. (2008). Intelligent infrastructure: Security and surveillance. EC & M, 107(8), 16-19. Retrieved on April 11, 2014 from http://search.proquest.com/business/docview/206076702/F232F095046541F7PQ/9?accountid=45049 Igoe, B. (2007). The pervasive internet and the progress of intelligent buildings. Buildings, 101(8), 22. Retrieved on April 11, 2014 from http://search.proquest.com/business/docview/210228319/fulltextPDF?accountid=45049 Intelligent buildings drive energy savings from lighting--what a bright idea! (2012 Mar 12). Business Wire. Retrieved on April 11, 2014 from http://search.proquest.com/business/docview/927580025/F232F095046541F7PQ/18?accountid=45049 Madsen, J. J. (2008). The realization of intelligent buildings. Buildings, 102(3), 38-38,40,42,44. Retrieved on April 11, 2014 from http://search.proquest.com/business/docview/210231983/F232F095046541F7PQ/2?accountid=45049 Spotlight shines on intelligent buildings showcase. (2007, 03). Systems Contractor News, 14, 34. Retrieved on April 11, 2014 from http://search.proquest.com/business/docview/201454190/fulltextPDF/F232F095046541F7PQ/21?accountid=45049 University of Toronto. (2001). Intelligent infrastructure. Retrieved on April 11, 2014 from http://www.civ.toronto.edu/intinf/default.htm Read More