A smart building is a one that enables proper and economical use of resources. The application of different technological advancements such as Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), building management systems, and another robotics is used.
A lighting system is the installation of different kinds of light emitting equipment such as lighting fixtures and lamps in a building.
Installation of lighting systems is costly and takes time to get the perfect finish look which is very appealing to the eyes.
Smart building lighting system is a building which has been properly planned and equipped with programmable features with make the building able to conduct operations on its own without human interference and lightings that are appealing to the eyes as well as economically friendly to the business owners or investors. Establishment of one requires prior planning, adequate funds and a constant deliverer of the required materials required to put up such a structure.
Types of lighting systems
- Light-Emitting Diode (LED) – it is a semiconductor that emits light when electrical current is passed through it.
- Fluorescent -it is a lamp that fluorescence producing light.
- Incandescent -it a filament that is heated until it starts to glow hence illuminating the area.
- Outdoor solar -it uses natural light from the sun and the rays are converged creating a plane which generates light.
How to utilize the smart building together with the lighting systems
Creation of all tasks in the smart building to be automated and connected to the lighting systems. The ability of operations in a building to be self-controlled is what makes is a smart building with effective and responsive lighting systems.
Integration of the smart building lighting systems with different building systems such as Internet of Things would create a comfortable management zone for the employees as they get a chance to know when they are fully occupied or free.
Proper and correct space optimization. The use of sensors such occupancy sensors should be integrated into the smart building so as to provide information that will be crucial in space allocation for the staff members.
Maintenance. The use of Artificial Intelligence will assist in knowing if any part of the smart building and the lighting systems needs repairs and maintenance.
Examples of smart buildings
- The Edge Building in Amsterdam, Holland
- Capital Tower in Singapore, Indonesia
- Glumac in Shanghai, China
- DPR Construction in San Francisco, California
- Hindmarsh Shire Council Corporate Centre in Melbourne, Australia
- Duke Energy Center in Charlotte, North Carolina
- The Crystal Building in London, England
- NASA sustainable development in Moffet Field, California
- ZCB Mansion in Hongkong
- Al- Bahr in Abu Dhabi
Advantages of a smart building lighting system
Energy saving. If properly set up the smart building saves a lot of energy which is of great advantage to the businesses as the operational costs is cut down. The use of outdoor solar lighting is of great advantage to businesses as its energy is from natural light which is free of charge and readily available. Proper research of the best and affordable lighting by the investors is crucial as it is a long-term investment and the investors or organizations will not do repeated installations. Lamps used should be the only things that are bought frequently and also, they durability matters and if they are ecologically friendly.
Productivity. Smart buildings with smart lighting systems aid by increasing productivity of businesses. Traditional lightings are of great disadvantage as they cause disturbances at work. For example, jobs that require frequent movement from one room to the other with smart lighting systems is becomes easy as the lights are automatically turned on when there’s detection of movement in the room, unlike traditional lights which require frequent turning on and off. Some restaurants also reap big as some customers go to certain restaurants because of the attractive ambience they have.
Convenience. The automation that comes hand in hand with lighting sensors is of great advantage. For example, people who are physically disabled encounter no problem in the smart buildings as the lighting systems instantly detects their presence by their motion in the room therefore the lights are automatically switched on. Normal people also have no need to worry about leaving light on in these rooms as the lighting system will automatically detect and switch off the lights.
Safety. Smart lighting system provides safety as the lights turn on immediately someone enters a room. If the person was on a bad mission, he/she will be caught by the security guards. In store buildings, it is dark and sometimes locating the switch is difficult and also in the process of trying to locate the switch, an accident may happen, therefore smart lighting systems will greatly save the workers.
Increased lamp life. Smart lighting systems have a low lamp to full lamp brightness and this increase the life span of lamps leading to adequate saving of funds.
Generation of smart building funds. The smart buildings are a source of income as they attract tourists from different parts of the world and viewing the building from the basement to the roof top is income generating add more and more people are eager to see the outstanding features it has.
Disadvantages of smart building lighting systems
Unreliability. Wireless systems can be very unreliable as they are subject to interference and very high maintenance requirement. This leads us to still install wired lighting systems even if there is the wireless one.
Inappropriate set up of the lighting systems. A poorly installed lighting system can be of a disadvantage to business and even lead to losses due to the double maintenance required.
Conclusion
Smart building lighting systems are a great improvement in the industrial world even with the few shortcomings experienced, the system is meant to monitor and control the automated lighting in the building using the web server and other applications for effective and responsive lighting of the smart building which in turn giving business the room for competition as lighting is the main retaining and attracting new customers.