HVAC SYSTEMS tracking indoor air quality as carbon dioxide (CO2
generate proper rates of ventilation to extract and renew air.
Occupancy detectors located in operating theatres or wards make it possible to know, in real-time, if a room is occupied, and to keep a utilisation history of each room. This allows for the building’s cleaning routine to be optimised, concentrating on the spaces that have been used.
Resense Move is a ceiling- mounted, AI-powered, ‘people-counting solution’ that reportedly enhances indoor environmental quality, reduces operating costs, and provides real- time data ‘for informed decision-making’. Distech said: “It optimises building spaces for maximum energy efficiency, and empowers businesses to make informed decisions about the operation of their buildings.”
or kerosene heaters, and smoking. Exposure to fine particles can contribute to the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory complaints. We are beginning to see standards catch up with the research. In a number of scientific studies conducted over the years, it has been found that the ideal indoor humidity level of between 40-60% RH will reduce the spread of respiratory infections. In the US, ASHRAE published Standard 241, which
has been developed to reduce the risk of infectious aerosol transmission in buildings. Standard 241 establishes minimum requirements to reduce the risk of airborne disease transmission and other pathogens in buildings such as single and multi-family homes, offices, schools, and healthcare facilities. The standard applies to new and existing buildings, and sets requirements for equivalent clean airflow rate target per occupant of pathogen free-air flow, reducing the risk of infection.
Renée Jacobs
Renée Jacobs, CHFM, CHC, FASHE, Healthcare Business Development manager at Distech Controls, is a FASHE- certified Healthcare Facility manager and Certified Healthcare Constructor, ‘with over 30 years’ and a billion of dollars of experience’ in healthcare construction, facilities management, and strategic sales in building technologies and sustainability.
How can a building management system help? More than ever, having a fully functional building management system (BMS) to ensure wellbeing in non-residential buildings is critical. An outdated, non- functioning, or inefficient system can have serious consequences for the health of patients and staff, by facilitating the transmission of viruses and bacteria. In all aspects of our lives, we expect the spaces we occupy to be healthy and trustworthy so that we can grow, learn, work, and consume, with peace of mind. Occupants want to know that the building they are entering is safe, that measures have been taken to reduce the spread of infection, that the space is clean, that they will be alerted to any problems, and that they can have control over their own environment. This is particularly important in a healthcare environment, where patients might already feel vulnerable. The preventative measures can be classified into the two following solution types – proactive solutions that reduce the risk of contagion, and reactive solutions that advance optimal risk management. In the first instance, there are a number of proactive measures that we can put in place to make our buildings safer. These include managing indoor air quality, detecting occupied spaces, and providing contactless comfort management. Increased ventilation rates are also recommended to control airborne diseases, provided that these systems are used appropriately. Measuring and
78 Health Estate Journal May 2025
The growth of AI technology AI technology is becoming an important part in the development of products that support occupancy wellbeing. AI has its share of enthusiasts and doomsayers, but its promise lies somewhere in the grey area between those saying it will solve all our problems, and those predicting disaster and chaos. For many, the technology cycle is early, and there will likely be much discussion and many upheavals as society figures out how laws will be created and applied. AI learning can provide building owners and Facilities managers with more valuable data about their healthcare buildings so they can adapt systems and services such as HVAC and lighting system operation, cleaning rotas, and even catering services, to better serve staff and patients, as well as deliver performance and energy efficiencies. The ability to conduct people counting through an inbuilt thermal sensor in our Resense Move sensor would not be possible without the support of AI technology; the accuracy and learning which needs to take place would be limited without it. Patient and staff wellbeing should be central to how the building operates, and human-centric solutions, such as the AI-powered Resense Move, are designed to enhance the comfort of people visiting, recovering in, and working in, the building. As an example, in a hospital – where bed space is at a premium, and there is a constant stream of visitors, it’s important to know who is using a space and when. Resense Move will count the number of people in a space, and provide a proactive solution which immediately renews the airflow in the building according to the occupancy levels, unlike a standard CO2
sensor
– which needs to be sent a command. The integrated visual LED indicator on Resense Move provides reliable information about the space, letting occupants know if there is a problem with the air quality, such as a build-up of CO2
or VOCs.
Monitoring noise levels too As a multi-sensor, Resense Move also has the capability to monitor dB levels (noise), which can be important in healthcare settings. For instance, dB readings could be taken at a nursing station within a NICU which is adjacent to construction activities – to monitor and address noise levels that may have an impact on patient outcomes, such as an infant’s heart rate and blood pressure. The solution that Resense Move offers will aid indoor air quality, save energy, and enhance the day-to-day operations in a building. It can also be installed in both a new-build or during renovation.
It is important to bring as much of the building data
together, in one place, so changes can be made quickly and efficiently if required. This is where open protocols combined with APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), such as RESTful API, can be vital. With RESTful API and the open Internet Protocol (IP), communication between devices becomes easier, and you can achieve a fully integrated system. By using RESTful API interface systems, integrators can enable IT web services to easily interact with software applications.
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