WATER MANAGEMENT
SMARTER LEAK DETECTION TO LOWER COSTS After a year of many buildings being left unoccupied and utility demand changing to suit flexible working styles, those managing sites in the public sector have a challenge to ensure building services remain efficient and cost-effective. To help with this, many are looking at smart technologies to drive efficiency and keep track of usage. While many turn to smart controls to regulate heating and electricity use, Franz Huelle, Head of Technical at REHAU Building Solutions, explains how water costs can also be regulated by smart leak detection.
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acilities and energy managers in the public sector are often under pressure to limit utilities and save on energy costs in line with strict budgets. Following a year of disruption and further strain on finances, strategies are required to ensure buildings left unoccupied, or that have suffered disruptions in maintenance, return to efficient working order. While keeping energy bills low is a key element of ensuring running costs are manageable, so too is guaranteeing other building services are under control. When it comes to water supplies, there is not only the potential for bills to be increased, but also the risk of damage occurring under the surface.
MICRO AND MACRO RISKS For any building manager, the risk of costly leaks is concerning. Whether it is a microleak slowly elevating bills through waste, or a large burst pipe causing thousands of pounds worth of damage, ensuring the integrity of water supplies is key to saving costs. Indeed, according to ABI1, insurers pay out £1.8 million for residential water damage every day. Causes can relate to a number of issues such as corrosion, limescale and frost compromising old pipes, as well as accidental drilling of new systems, all of which can lead to costly reparation work in buildings. According to an expert from AXA2, 1 https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/ choosing-the-right-insurance/homeinsurance/burst-pipes-and-water-leaks/ 2 https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/ opinion/containing-escape-of-water-claims-incommercial-buildings-161150.aspx
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particularly vulnerable buildings include those that have just been built, vacant, or reduced occupancy – as many have been throughout the pandemic. As a result of vacancy and disruption to maintenance schedules, facilities and energy managers are under pressure to ensure buildings are fit for purpose as people begin to use them again. On top of this, there is a responsibility to ensure their development can keep up with any changes in the way occupants use them, particularly with flexible working becoming commonplace for many local authorities.
RESPONSIBILITY For public sector properties, there is not only the requirement to keep costs down to adhere to budgets,
ENERGY MANAGER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2021
but also a duty of care to occupants. This means there is even more onus on facilities managers to ensure sites are safe either when occupants return to commercial buildings, or to those in local authority housing. Sites left unoccupied with any kind of water damage could incur costly repair work that may not have been predicted, which takes time to rectify. However, in addition to this, its lasting effects can also negatively affect the health of occupants. Mould can form within just 24 hours of moisture penetrating a building structure, which is harmful to health and requires extensive remediation work.
ULTRASONIC AID Faced with maintenance challenges and potentially continued issues relating
