The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions into facilities and building management has ushered in a new era of efficiency and insight. From monitoring space utilization to driving energy efficiency, network connected devices are being used to deliver new and valuable data for informed decision-making. The challenges of scaled IoT deployments, however, have posed a barrier to organizations seeking comprehensive visibility into their operations. Enter LoRaWAN, a transformative low power wide area network technology that not only addresses infrastructure deployment and cost hurdles but also brings unprecedented scale and operational efficiency to the table.
A Simplified and Cost-Effective Approach
LoRaWAN stands out as a proven technology choice for comprehensive facilities management, offering a flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solution. Supported by an open, unlicensed network protocol and a massive ecosystem of network operators, device manufacturers, and solution providers, facilities managers who deploy LoRaWAN sensor-based applications are leading the way to reducing repair costs, providing energy efficient and safe environments, improving tenant satisfaction, and even reducing insurance premiums.
At a basic level, the architecture of a LoRaWAN solution is straightforward and includes sensor enabled end-devices, a wireless network (gateways and network management software), and application software. Think of it as the building management system DNA (Device, Network, Application).
Low-cost indoor gateways provide long-range deep coverage that cannot be achieved with Wi-Fi or cellular. Because of the critical nature of the environment and infrastructure being monitored (air quality, water and gas leaks, for example), many solution providers and facility managers also choose to partner with a network operator to ensure the delivery of secure, carrier-grade wireless network service without requiring additional infrastructure.
Examples of LoRaWAN Certified end devices available on the market today include everything from water and gas leak sensors to HVAC performance sensors, occupancy sensors, and even mouse trap monitors.
Research-Backed Cost Savings With LoRaWAN
Numerous studies and real-world implementations have proven the substantial cost savings associated with LoRaWAN. And for large-scale deployments these percentages translate not only to enhanced operational performance but also to millions of dollars in direct savings.
Consider this example of the potential costs incurred by a 100-unit multi-dwelling building due to a gas leak incident. Based on data published by ProSentry, a leading provider of a LoRaWAN-based all-in-one wireless monitoring solution for residential and commercial properties, the total costs for a building whose gas was shut down by the Fire Department or utility company due to a natural gas leak in New York City is estimated at $2.4 million. This includes the cost of remediating the leak, pressure testing gas lines, and installing new lines capable of passing a pressure test after a shut-down has occurred.
If the building chose to change from gas to electric because of the gas shut down, the cost to transition from gas to electric is roughly the same and would include new electrical service, new risers, new wiring in individual apartments, and new appliances.
ProSentry proposes a proactive approach using gas leak detection that notifies buildings as soon as gas is detected with its precise location, allowing the building to address the leak promptly. This will often avoid the gas shutdown and subsequent testing by identifying the source promptly. The total cost for installing ProSentry’s LoRaWAN solution which includes indoor gateways, residential gas leak monitoring devices, and network management costs this same 100-unit MDU $30,000 for installation and $243 per month for monitoring, and reporting.
Beyond the operational cost savings are the life and property saving aspects of a monitored gas safety system, addressing an approximate 4,200 home fires, 40 civilian deaths, 140 civilian injuries, and $54 million in direct property damage each year in the U.S. alone.
Why is this important now?
National standards and local government regulations like Local Law 157 in New York City are requiring natural gas detection devices be installed and non-compliance can lead to costly fines and risks to health and safety.
The law, which went into effect on February 15, 2024, requires compliance on or before May 1, 2025, and specifies that compliant gas detectors should be placed within one foot of the ceiling and at least 3 feet and no more than ten feet horizontally from all gas appliances. While these gas detectors can be monitored and part of a larger building management system or unmonitored, buildings with monitored systems have the advantage of direct notification to building staff as soon as a gas leak is detected, allowing for a quick response to the site of the leak and potential avoidance of whole building shutdowns.
Longevity and Reduced Maintenance Costs
As demonstrated in the MDU example, the advantages of choosing LoRaWAN extend well beyond initial capital expenditures, providing a long-term solution for next generation building management practices. One of the standout features contributing to long-term cost and operational savings is the longevity of LoRaWAN devices. Many of these devices have a remarkable lifespan of over a decade on a single battery, minimizing the need for frequent replacements.
Reduced maintenance costs are another key aspect of LoRaWAN’s appeal. Automated data collection from numerous sources, visualization, and reporting through a centralized platform allow building owners/managers to uncover critical operational issues that need to be addressed and help maintain compliance with safety and insurance regulations in a single location or across a portfolio of properties. Using wirelessly connected sensors to monitor system performance in real time also supports a robust predictive maintenance program, translating to fewer instances of malfunction or failure.
From individual buildings to industrial complexes and campus environments, the cost-effective scalability of LoRaWAN sets a new standard for facility maintenance. This is particularly crucial in large-scale deployments where streamlined operations and minimal downtime are required.
IoT: The Next Utility for the Built Environment
IoT is making its way into every facet of building operations, from building infrastructure and energy management to indoor and outdoor environmental monitoring, worker safety and security, asset tracking, food service safety and compliance, facilities management and more. All require an interconnected data-driven ecosystem, and the ease of deployment and cost-effective nature of LoRaWAN now makes it possible to build networks and add sensors to places where it was previously infeasible.
Supporting rapid scale, facilities managers adopting these solutions have the option of deploying new and advanced network infrastructure and network and device management platforms and tools.
As deployments grow and the data provided by IoT connections becomes mission-critical for protecting building environments and operating profitably, IoT becomes an embedded part of facilities management. Much like the gas, electricity, and water that are critical to a building’s operation, an IoT infrastructure is becoming a necessary “utility”.
Tom Wainman is Director of Connected Buildings at Senet, a Netmore Company.
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