Tools for Enhancing Visibility and Control

New technology and techniques are giving project teams more visibility and control of jobsite conditions compared to traditional approaches like hand-held devices, off-the-shelf sensors, and standalone equipment. Top general contractors are using real-time connected systems made up of sensors and smart equipment to proactively manage environmental specifications, accelerate dry time, meet finished good warranties, and reduce overall operational costs and risk.

Let’s look at some of the considerations of the tools available…

Handheld devices “Rounds and Readings”

Dedicated personnel are responsible for walking the job site, taking readings of conditions using handheld devices. 

Things to consider:

• Dedicated personnel
• Manual inputs into a database
• Single snapshot in time and location
• Prone to human error or inconsistencies
• Hazardous or confined space issues
• Delayed or incomplete insight
• Difficult to share or use
• Calibration and accuracy issues

Off-the-shelf sensors

Commercially available, ready-to-use, mass-produced for general applications across various industries.

Things to consider:

• Dedicated personnel
• Designed for broad applications and may not be tailored to the specific needs of a construction project
• Little to no dashboard flexibility
• May require a Wi-Fi connection
• Weaker communications package, not mesh
• Siloed data sets can be challenging to download and/or merge
• Prone to human error or inconsistencies
• Less range and accuracy
• Delayed or incomplete insight
• Difficult to share or use

Standalone Equipment

Renting equipment to treat the space, construction personnel would manage units every day. 

Things to consider:

• Dedicated personnel
• Equipment has been selected based on historical weather data rather than real-time conditions on-site
• May run unnecessarily with no control parameters, requiring more fuel/energy usage
• Manual and often delayed adjustment of equipment
• Prone to human error or inconsistencies
• Turned off or modified by trades working in the area
• Can result in using more or inefficient equipment

Real-time connected system

Sensors are distributed throughout the job site and feed a cloud-based interface with data and insight. Data is used to turn climate control equipment on/off.

Things to consider:

• Hands-off, requiring minimum personnel
• Alerts on real-time conditions, equipment status, and operation
• Automatic on/off of equipment based on user specs, reducing energy/carbon consumption
• Custom live dashboards and reports can be easily and quickly shared with all stakeholders
• Insight is available to people on/off the job site (desktop and mobile apps)
• Sensors can move to new locations as the project progresses
• Data can be viewed alongside other advanced sensor types like IAQ, leak sensors
• Allows for more proactive management and risk avoidance
• Can accelerate planning and scheduling decisions
• Creates visibility/accountability for material and subcontractor performance
• Provides a continuous historical record of conditions to protect warranties and insurance

Visit polygongroup.us/proof for more on these and other case studies.