FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
Chris Coxon, Head of Marketing at Algeco, outlines how the latest Smart technology is delivering flexible, energy-efficient, lower carbon, temporary modular buildings
Research shows that the built environment is responsible for up to 40 per cent of all carbon emissions, mainly through ventilating, heating, lighting and cooking. Yet, because of their high energy consumption, buildings also offer the greatest potential for saving energy – and this applies to both permanent and temporary structures.
According to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), buildings could account for up to 41 per cent of global energy savings by 2035, through the adoption of energy-efficient construction practices.
Temporary modular buildings for hire give you the flexibility to size your premises up or down to create modern, ultra-flexible, energy-efficient spaces. They are a fast, cost-effective way to manage changing needs – and by integrating smart technology they can even help you to meet your organisation’s sustainability goals.
THE NEXT LEVEL OF ENERGY REDUCTION
Facilities managers and their clients are always seeking new ways to lower their energy consumption, and integrating Smart technology into temporary, modular buildings is a highly effective and low-cost way to achieve this.
There are many energy-saving solutions available, including door closers, non-concussive taps, LED PIR lights, reusable foundation systems, hybrid power solutions and climate control systems, while smart technology control solutions can be integrated into temporary buildings using Bluetooth mesh technology and standalone connectivity.
Switches, sensors, and other hardware work together locally to lower energy consumption and reduce wastage. Cloud functionality enables granular control and individual building module monitoring. Heating, cooling and ventilation can be controlled in a way that reduces wastage to an extent that just isn’t possible through standard HVAC settings.
For instance, smart sockets enable monitoring and control at an individual socket level. Fitted in modular buildings as part of our Smart technology 360 Service, they can automatically turn off sockets out of hours and not in use to reduce ‘small power’ wastage. Local override at each socket level ensures power is available when required. This kind of smart technology is suitable for larger sites, typically with large number of office workstations.
These Smart technologies are revolutionising the temporary buildings for hire sector and deliver energy savings of up to a third. FMs looking to avoid the capital outlay of a new development can choose this technology when they hire offices, welfare spaces, modular classrooms, healthcare buildings and a vast range of other temporary spaces.
MAXIMISING EFFICIENCIES
Smart systems use advanced diagnostics to collect detailed data which can be converted into insights about energy usage and trends. This insight can be used to apply incentives, influence user behaviour and implement various energy and cost saving measures, based on the identified trends.
Parameters can be set which reflect how the building and its rooms are to be used. This gives users enough control to manage their comfort, while the system ensures that settings don’t deviate significantly, in order to prevent wastage. So even though energy consumption can be cut by around 30 per cent, the modular buildings still offer a comfortable environment.
FLEXIBLE, ADDITIONAL SPACE
Temporary modular buildings equipped with Smart technology, are the ideal solution for facilities managers who require flexible, additional space for a variety of uses.
For example, if business demands mean that you need to upsize and accommodate new staff quickly, a hired modular building with Smart technology can be in place and up and running in a matter of weeks, as opposed to a permanent build, which can take months, if not years to complete.
Similarly, businesses with seasonal peaks and troughs benefit hugely from the flexibility offered by temporary modular buildings for hire. The buildings can increase your footprint, creating energy-efficient office space, storage and staff welfare areas, exactly when and where they’re needed.
Refurbishing or altering your existing premises? Hiring a temporary modular building to house your staff whilst the work takes place reduces downtime and disruption, allowing your teams to get on with business as usual.
Modular buildings can also be relocated, repurposed and reused multiple times, making them extremely cost effective.
JOURNEY TO ZERO CARBON
The latest innovations in Smart technology control are capable of delivering up to 30% energy savings, significantly lowering carbon emissions, reducing running costs, and helping businesses to move forward on their journey towards net zero.
Temporary modular buildings for hire can be used across any sector, by any kind of organisation, from health and education to manufacturing, retail and construction.
For facility managers looking for modern, efficient workspace with the flexibility to scale up or downsize according to changing business demands, technology-enabled modular buildings are the Smart choice.
