How Building Automation can slow the spread of Covid-19

As we return to work in the middle of this pandemic, our number one concern should be the safety of your employees. Building Automation System (BAS) controllers are perfect to help slow the spread of Covid-19. By installing automation systems in a building can ease employee's nerves about returning to work during these uncertain times. Our objective is to increase employee safety and comfort while saving employers money on utilities.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) description for high touch surfaces include tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks and coffee machines. By limiting touchpoints with smart building technology will limit inconvenience to building operations and help slow the spread of the virus. Our intent is not just to stop the virus from spreading inside a building but to also stop it from coming inside. As a company that has a background in tenant improvement for commercial construction, we understand how a building operates and how to implement none BAS equipment. We do more than just automation to slow the spread of the virus.

By upgrading light switches to smart switches alleviate touching points and increases energy efficiency. Regulating temperature humidity can slow the spread of bacteria and viruses. Using air conditioning systems to switch to fan mode to cycle fresh air several times an hour. Smart Buildings with the use of HVAC, lighting and smart sensors work together to increase the occupant comfort, indoor air quality and save money on energy cost. Fresh air is a cost-effective way to combat and slow the spread of the virus. This can be used in warehouses by automating Roll-up doors and skylights to open to increase airflow. Installing automatic window openers in existing office windows to be automated to open or close due to weather conditions.

Using Thermal Imaging cameras with access control systems at entrances for detection. They detect occupants with high temperatures and will deny them access into the facility. Many businesses are taking this precaution since a high fever is a symptom of Covid-19. To enter a building, you can use the option for a touch-less entry by using Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) cards or smartphones that are scanned with an app using Near-Field Communication (NFC) or Bluetooth from smartphones. Once you are granted entry, the use of automatic doors will slide or swing open effortlessly. We can supply you with a tablet or you can use your smartphone. Facility management or security will be able to use our user interface to open doors.

Inside offices and building entrances are not the only places we work to help slow down the spread of Covid-19, our Smart Building technology can also be beneficial in the restrooms. By installing touch-less faucets and soap dispenser, it elevates risk at high touch surfaces. We install automatic paper dispensers and do not use stacked paper towel dispensers or hand dryers. Hand dryers may transfer droplets through the air due to inadequate hand washing and be replaced with touch-less paper dispensers.

One of our top priorities at CBAS is to keep your building fully operational, employee safety and their families safe when arriving home. If your building is closed due to new restrictions, your building will still be safe and will keep energy consumption low. One problem that has arisen from building closures are automatic scheduling thermostats that are not being turned off when a building is empty. Air conditioning accounts for up to 70% of utility costs. A building controlled by our system does not run that risk. We do this with occupancy sensors to detect if the building is occupied. If a building is still occupied but with fewer personnel, the system will be able to detect what areas are being used and turn off the zone or zones that are not in use.

Our system is versatile and can be installed almost anywhere. Depending on your building size, most systems can be installed in as little as a couple of days. We can easily work inside your building while your employees are hard at work, there is no need to close down or close off areas.