The Digital Revolution has transformed everything from how we plan a trip to how we shop for groceries to how we talk to loved ones who are far away. At the same time, the impact of digital technology has been felt more quickly in some areas than in others. Some fields–like communication–have already changed beyond recognition. Others—like plumbing—may seem less like candidates for a new way of doing things. After all, the basic principles of hydraulics have not changed one bit since the Romans built the aqueducts. Now, however, the digital tidal wave has reached the plumbing world as well. With advances in automation and increasing acceptance, “intelligent” plumbing systems are starting to prove their value.
BUILDINGS WITH AN IQ
As “the Internet of Things” becomes more highly developed, automated building technologies are no longer a surprise. It is now commonplace for building systems such as lighting, climate control, and security to feature cloud-based reporting and controls, with automated response capabilities. But for a building to be truly “intelligent,” all of its systems need to be coordinated with one another, and automation in plumbing has been slower to take off.
As recently as 2021, Smart Buildings Technology reported that only 20% of professionals working in buildings with automated systems used any form of “smart” technology for plumbing. Even though a desire for energy efficiency has helped drive the rise of building automation, plumbing systems have remained the last frontier. But with energy prices on the rise and an ever greater desire to add value to real estate, this siloed approach to water management cannot last long.
WHAT’S SO INTELLIGENT?
By definition, an “intelligent” plumbing system is able to respond automatically to events without the need for human action. Increasingly, these systems are easy to design, install, and operate, and they can be customized to the specific application. The simple fact that the “intelligent” system is digital, or even that it is internet-enabled, is not what makes it superior. Rather, what makes the system “intelligent” is its use of those networked capabilities to perform essential tasks better.
For example, maintaining water temperatures and avoiding stagnation are fundamental control measures used to inhibit bacteria and biofilm growth. Intelligent systems allow building owners to easily document critical operating parameters such as system water temperatures, weekly valve maintenance, periodic thermal disinfection, and routine system flushing. Additionally, extensive data logging and reporting provides critical information for risk assessment and verification.
REAL-TIME BALANCING
Similarly, hot water systems must strive for efficiency in order to keep energy costs down and maximize water use. With automated system control, based on real-time temperature data, intelligent systems constantly maintain temperatures throughout an entire facility. Quick delivery of hot water results in less water wasted due to long wait times, and less energy is wasted reheating water that has cooled down.
Intelligent systems furthermore allow operators to monitor and control multiple buildings in multiple locations, thanks to cloud-based access. With this degree of ability to collect and store system information, predictive and preventive maintenance programs can be carried out in a timely and effective manner.
HOT WATER FOR A HOSPITAL
The recent installation of GF Piping Systems’ Hycleen™ Automation System at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, provides an example of the possible gains.
Miami Valley Hospital recently evaluated areas of their domestic hot water system to identify areas that were experiencing low water temperatures. Working with HEAPY, a leading healthcare engineering firm, Miami Valley chose Hycleen as the solution to this problem. Hycleen is a fully integrated system that provides them with real-time temperature monitoring and automatic flow adjustments based on custom system parameters.
Any irregularities that occur, such as unusual temperature conditions or malfunctions, are reported directly to the facility team via the building management system. Hycleen’s data logging and reporting features give the hospital easy access to critical information, allowing them to confidently evaluate and respond to system conditions.
EFFICIENCY PRESSURES MOUNT
According to the United States Information Administration, commercial buildings account for 35% of the electricity consumed in the United States, and 16% of the carbon dioxide emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about 30% of this energy expenditure is wasted. Meanwhile, energy prices have risen sharply over the past 2 years.
To meet these added pressures towards efficiency, plumbing and mechanical systems will need to become more complex, and automation has a role to play in making that complexity practical. The power of data adds tremendous value: as facilities managers know what’s happening in their systems in real time, they can keep their buildings operating within optimal parameters. Furthermore, with growing interest in automation for this area of building technology, the ability of “intelligent” plumbing systems to essentially run themselves will only become more surprising.
CLOSING THOUGHT
Automation is not new in the building technology industry—but it is new to plumbing. And concern about being the “guinea pig” can sometimes cause decision makers to hesitate. But more and more, intelligent plumbing offers just what building managers are looking for: safer, more sustainable systems with improved operational performance.
About the Author:
Greg Swafford is the U.S. technical sales manager for commercial water for GF Piping Systems (GF). In addition to his work with GF, he serves as affiliate liaison for Region 5 of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers and is a committee member of ASHRAE SPC 514 ™Risk Management for Building Water Systems: Physical, Chemical, and Microbial Hazards∫. He is certified in Plumbing Design, Green Plumbing Design, and as a Legionella Water Safety and Management Specialist. Prior to joining GF, he was a plumbing designer, project manager, and plumbing department leader at MEP consulting firms for nearly 20 years. He can be reached at greg.swafford@georgfischer.com.
Modern Contractor Solutions, December 2022
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