Smart Building Management Systems Will Combat Office Drowsiness

A business is only as good as its employees, which is why employers treat their employees with the same consideration and importance as their clients. Employee productivity sets the tone of how successful a business will be, but several factors can lower productivity in the office. Recognition, career advancement opportunities, level of responsibility, nature of the work, and workplace environment are some factors that affect the morale of employees.

One common problem that affects employee productivity is office drowsiness. Feeling tired can cause mistakes in the workplace. Symptoms such as lack of concentration, poor decision-making skills, a decline in cognitive function, irritability and an uncooperative attitude with colleagues are signs of tiredness in an individual. Several companies are now adopting different approaches to the working environment to combat drowsiness and increase the morale of their employees. One trendsetter is the company Google, with extremely “employee-friendly” offices which effectively promote productivity but can be a very costly investment. Luckily, you don’t have to go to such lengths as one simple yet effective way to improve your company’s productivity and reduce staff drowsiness in the office is by installing a smart building management system.

A smart building management system known as a building automation system (BAS), is a computer-based control system installed in commercial properties that aim to control and monitor the mechanical and electrical equipment in the building. Here’s how this system will help combat office drowsiness and increase productivity:

1. Smart building management systems keep office climate within a specified range – A study at Cornell University shows that employees made more mistakes in a room with a low temperature (20 degrees Celsius or 68 degrees Fahrenheit) compared to a room with an optimal room temperature (25 degrees Celsius or 77 degrees Fahrenheit). The study shows that the human body uses more energy to combat the cold, thus reducing the level of productivity.
   
   On top of that, low temperature can trigger our brain to feel sleepy because temperatures are generally lower at night and early in the morning, i.e., the time we are sleeping. Finally, it is suggested that people equate the feeling of warmth with happiness. A warm working environment can boost the comfort level of an employee and in turn, increase productivity.
2. Smart building management systems provide adequate light to rooms based on occupancy – There are several studies linking productivity to lighting and temperature. Scientist Mirjam Muench argues that being exposed to poor lighting, especially dim lighting, causes our cortisol levels to drop significantly. This drop in our cortisol levels triggers a false alert to our circadian rhythm and induces sleepiness, stress, and a low level of energy. In a nutshell, dim lighting at the office mimics our bedroom lighting and compels us to go to sleep.

Aside from these recommended guidelines to help prevent drowsiness in the workplace, smart building management systems offer more features to your building that aim to lower the cost of operations with intelligent reports and minimal human error. Listed below are the following systems that smart building management can monitor and control:

• Access control
• Control Panel
• PA system
• Alarm Monitor
• Security Automation
• Closed-circuit television (CCTV)
• Fire alarm system
• Electric power control
• Plumbing
• Lifts, elevators, etc.
• Other engineering systems

Switching to an automated building system can cost a considerable amount of money and might require some time getting used to, but the benefits it will offer to your business will be worth the investment. Several companies have adopted this system and it will undoubtedly become mainstream in offices around the world.

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