For an SDM Magazine article, Pye-Barker’s Kenny Klusman weighed in on integrating fire protection and security safety systems for smart buildings.
Modern smart buildings — that use technology to provide a more comprehensive overview of premises and their systems — have the capacity to help improve fire safety. But there are still some hurdles to overcome.
Experts like Klusman discussed:
- Detecting threats earlier. Using technologies like AI and smart sensors, systems can detect potential fire hazards early, enabling quicker responses and potentially preventing incidents.
“Analytics can be used to identify potential fire risks to create a proactive maintenance approach to ensure facility managers can address any potential issues,” Klusman said.
- Performing remote testing. While possible to have visibility into issues without being on site, fire code still requires in-person service.
Klusman said, “Regular inspections are still done in person, but innovations in technology allow a technician to diagnose issues without being on site. Troubleshooting is half the battle and being able to diagnose in advance and communicate proactively enhances the customer experience. Actual repairs or changes to systems still need to be made onsite by a certified technician.”
- Enhancing communication and integrated systems. Improved communication capabilities help facilitate more prompt evacuations and coordinated responses. But compatibility between the systems is crucial.
“Like any technological integration, compatibility can start as a small problem and manifest into a much larger one if the project is not designed properly. The key to success is selecting a knowledgeable partner with the experience necessary to navigate and integrate both old and newer technologies,” Klusman emphasized.
The key to success is selecting a knowledgeable partner to integrate old and new.