By Guest Author, Michael Stephenson
Given recent advances in industrial technology, we have more options than ever before when it comes to protecting our commercial/residential buildings and the people within them. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the latest lighting, signage, theft security, ventilation, and other modern solutions that secure our real estate.
Signage
The ambient signs we place around buildings play a crucial role in ensuring safety, clarity, and accessibility, and the methods we use to display information are changing constantly. Solar-powered LED materials, for example, have seen recent popularity as they leave a smaller environmental impact as well as reduced maintenance requirements. There have also been advances in the ways we utilize smart technology, with real-time customization allowing us to change messaging, adverts, and warnings on signs remotely.
Video Surveillance
When it comes to preventing or deterring theft, video surveillance and alarm systems should be high on your list of priorities. The right system will include an electronic door release to prevent people from rushing in and out. Many systems will also have a police response feature to automatically inform your alarm company and even local law enforcement if a break-in has been confirmed. The viability of this will depend upon your state regulations and the service provider in question.
HVAC
In the wake of the pandemic, it’s important to show awareness for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Modern systems are more than just a gauge and a thermostat - they can also be used to control airflow and adapted to suppress the spread of the virus. HVAC units come in four primary variations; these include split systems, hybrid systems, packaged heating, and air systems. Understanding the distinctions between these can help you make a decision that is safest for your building.
Ambient Lighting
If there are outdoor areas in or around your building, it’s important to remember that your lighting choices can have safety and functionality implications. The right bulb choices can deter criminal activity, ensure safe movement around your campus and help individuals to navigate to where they’re going. For these purposes, LED products are often the most secure option, as they tend to be shatter-proof, can operate for longer on backup power, and reactivate with a zero cooldown period.
Parking
Parking technology has advanced drastically in the last decade, and future developments look equally promising. Many systems have been developed to sync with smartphones, making check-ins and payments more straightforward and giving customers the ability to check availability in advance. Many of these systems are automated, which means there is less reliance on manual labor, operation is cheaper, and tracking of license plates is more straightforward.
Fire Suppression
With a changing climate, it’s important for those of us in charge of commercial/residential real estate development to be switched on when it comes to fire safety. Fortunately, suppression systems have come along leaps in recent years and are often capable of preventing fires before they have caused any fundamental damage to the building itself. Take the time to browse your options and decide whether sprinklers or special hazard fire suppression are best suited for your structure.
Keeping up-to-date with safety trends is important for anyone involved in the development or upkeep of commercial/residential real estate. With the right knowledge, you can make smart investments that benefit the work and livelihoods of those journeying in and out of your building.
Coyote Worx as a founder of Shasta Power, has laid the groundwork to deploy capital through Summit Power Fund into more than a dozen sites across the western US. Learn more about our services at: www.shastapower.com
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