The Case For Wireless continued
Reaping The Most Benefit
Once a wireless system has been designed and installed, it has to be connected to the primary building systems like access control or lighting system. This is where a facility manager will realize the biggest benefit of having wireless installed.
“In most cases,” says Grossman, “access control and key infrastructure protection are the major beneficiaries for a wireless-based system. Intrusion and equipment sensor monitoring provide the most tangible potential benefits for facility managers.
“Using wireless for access control or to activate or deactivate devices also provides cost savings and convenience, and can help stem lawsuits, environmental hazards, and further damage to equipment or facilities.”
Once the HVAC, access control, and lighting systems have been incorporated into the wireless system, the building can begin to run much more efficiently. Costs from having maintenance staff on hand can be reduced, and rather than having to access the lighting system from a terrestrial computer station, a facility manager can access it wirelessly and shut the lights off from anywhere. This contributes to energy conservation and reduces costs.
“There are wireless systems specifically manufactured for facilities management to monitor building vital signs,” says North, “such as HVAC, refrigeration, water control, lighting, etc. These systems enhance response time to failures.”
Quick and efficient response to key systems emergencies is going to make everyone in the company happy. Less downtime coupled with higher efficiencies is going to go straight to the bottom line of the company. These systems allow facility managers to work smarter, not harder.
“Usually a system can assist in reducing overtime or staff presence,” says North. “Proper monitoring of the building infrastructure—heating and cooling systems—will increase the life of that equipment, reducing maintenance costs. It could reduce facility management company liability.”
Grossman agrees with North and adds, “Facility managers should propose a wireless system or wireless enhancements because they have become so reliable, secure, and scalable, that as long range investments, they will significantly outperform—and certainly complement—most other platforms that are available today.”
By capitalizing on the technological advances offered by a wireless system, facility managers can run their buildings more efficiently, reduce costs, and make sure all their systems are working properly all the time and running at peak performance levels.
Disaster Recovery
Because wireless typically has a battery backup system, it can still be useful when disaster strikes a facility. In a traditional network, when the power goes down, the system goes down. Of course, there may be backup generators that will keep the building systems running, but how useful can they be?
With a non-wireless system, access can only be achieved from specified places—the computer terminals in the building, for example. In the case of an emergency, how helpful will this be? People in the building will be able to access the Internet and perhaps send out requests for help, but that is where the usefulness of the system comes to an end. Police or other rescue workers cannot tap into the network from outside the building, and therefore cannot be as effective in facilitating a rescue effort for a building that is experiencing a disaster and in need of help.
Perhaps the most important aspect that wireless brings to the table in a disaster is the ability to communicate. Without communication capabilities, a facility may as well not exist. Who is going to come to the aid of a building if no one knows there is a problem? If phone lines and land-based Internet connections are severed, a facility and its occupants are in serious trouble.
But a wireless system provides an extra lifeline for a building in a crisis. Building staff and the facility management team will still be able to reach out and voice the need for help while simultaneously coordinating rescue efforts in their own building.
“During a disaster,” says North, “emergency response teams can be deployed efficiently. Resources can be directed where needed, and the status of the situation can be instantly communicated. This adds to the perception of control and does not create panic.”
Additionally, the wireless system can be preprogrammed to send signals to local police and fire officials notifying them that the building is in need of help.
“There are a number of approaches including pre-set emergency alerts, security breach messages, and others that can be employed to alert authorities immediately in the event of a disaster or security breach,” says Crosby. “It is also possible to provide local authorities with access to the building’s voice system, so communications with on-site personnel can be initiated.”
But the benefits of a wireless system in a disaster don’t end with being able to communicate with the outside world, explains Grossman.
“A wireless system is highly superior in a disaster. Sensors/ transmitters are generally not affected and continue to perform and connect back to the central station, providing data on a continuous basis through the crisis.”
Because the system continues to operate, not even something as catastrophic as a hurricane or earthquake will force the the wireless system to stop working.
Natural disasters aside, a wireless system offers a major advantage over a network based on cables in the event of a man-made attack.
“There is no ‘cutting’ a wireless network or infrastructure,” continues Grossman. “By contrast, a Sonet ring or cable can be physically damaged or severed, thus interrupting terrestrial connectivity.
“A wireless infrastructure is only affected when backup power fails, or possibly, when a public power outage lasts for an indeterminate amount of time.”
Installing a wireless system can be the first step in upgrading the technology in any building. Verifiable return on investment coupled with higher efficiency and better preparedness for disasters may help facility managers introduce their buildings to new technologies and better performance.
Information for this article was compiled through interviews with LaPierre, Hobart, Crosby, North, and Grossman. For more information, visit www.kenwood.net.
Have you implemented a wireless system in your facility? Has a wireless system helped you in a disaster? Share your experiences by sending an e-mail to bkraemer@groupc.com.
Click here to qualify for a complimentary subscription to Today's Facility Manager Magazine.
