Wikipedia states that “The Internet of things describes physical objects with sensors, processing ability, software and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the Internet or other communications networks.” The things in the IoT can be a person with a heart monitor implant, an endangered animal that is embedded with biochip transponder that helps the wildlife managers in tracking animals, a building with motion detectors for intrusion detection and alarm, a fluid level monitor for notifying the facility mangers of need to procure and refill the storage tank, fire detection system that notifies the fire service department during a fire emergency, an aerial scanner that carries out geospatial analysis and feeds the output to map exploration and transportation management applications in individuals’ devices over the internet.
The SAFETY SYSTEMS in buildings and other facilities are – environmental monitoring system (gas monitoring, air quality, sound level monitoring, thermal sensing, pressure monitoring, weather monitoring and radiation detection), emergency lighting system, emergency communication system (voice, data, television and satellite), emergency power system, gas leak detection system, fire suppression system, fire alarm and detection system, maritime monitoring, aviation radar monitoring and control system, while the SECURITY SYSTEMS include – access controls system, intrusion alarm system, surveillance camera system, pipeline vandalism detection system, and biometric security system are common safety and security implemented systems. These systems use wireless communication media to cover large area of single or multiple monitoring and control services.
There is a focus on the merits of monitored safety and security systems deployed over the internet-of-things as they are beneficial in facilities and procurement management, engineering maintenance, operational efficiency of users, and resource management.
BENEFITS OF THE INTERNET-OF-THINGS
REMOTE CONTROL: Remote monitoring of system and their devices and equipment as may be especially required during emergency response, such as device controls and communication among emergency responders and other stakeholders may be remotely carried out by the system administrator.
COST REDUCTION: Costs are reduced by expansion systems monitoring and control from local to internet based. This results in labor requirements that could be deployed to different areas for the purpose of monitoring safety and security implemented systems. Cost reduction is enhanced through periodic risks assessments and risks mitigation measures which results in lower insurance premiums to project owners or sponsors. Mostly, the cost of life, asset, loss of business continuity, and environmental impact of safety, and security risks or hazards is worth reducing to As-Low-As-Reasonably-Possible (ALARP) by means of preventive measures through monitored systems.
ENHANCED OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY: High operational efficiency results from reduction of alert notification time, and response time with the aid of reliable internet system over which all systems are deployed.
REAL-TIME ASSET/RESOURCE VISIBILITY: Real-time asset and resource visible results from the field devices with unique identifiers (UIDs) which makes addressing of devices possible as defined in the network architecture and organization for each safety and security implemented system. This aids in MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT, such as in isolation of equipment and devices for repairs, inventory control and stock management for replacement spares as to shorten procurement and project execution timelines and costs. This covers information for system management software management such as firmware upgrade, and system troubleshooting.
DATA-DRIVEN INSIGHTS FOR QUICK DECISION-MAKING: Information of equipment and devices in each safety and security implemented system in the internet of things are captured, and analyzed for users. Data capturing from system equipment and devices are stored, and transmitted seamlessly over the internet-of-things.
REAL-TIME, PREDICTIVE AND PRESCRIPTIVE INSIGHTS: Realtime insights that gives systems, equipment and device operational status, maintenance history, and input of analogue or digital data by means of readings and sensing. Some are saved in logs of control units or backed in the cloud using effective database management applications. Robust Artificial Intelligence make the capability of some safety and security implemented solutions deployed over internet a reality, which drives machine learning for automated systems analysis and performance improvement possible.
END-TO-END, REMOTE MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT OF ASSETS/RESOURCES: System logs and monitoring reports are precisely captured as they occur – whether fault logs, alarms, strobes, and notifications in forms of automatic dialing, messages, and image or video inputs in of events and actions required during system audit.
Technology integration of safety and security implemented systems to the internet-of-things is a strong recommendation for owners, designer team, project execution, financiers, users, and other stakeholders. This is important due to the risk factors associated with safety and security systems.
William Nwaogu, Technical Advisor
SAFETY CONSULTANTS & SOLUTION PROVIDERS LIMITED
