Reducing Infectious Disease Risks with Smart Building Technologies and Management Systems

Global pandemics like COVID-19 put the transmission of viruses and the spread of infectious diseases at the forefront of concerns for commercial building owners, building managers, and their tenants. Even after a pandemic has receded, identifying and reducing occupant health risks remains a critical and necessary function of building operations teams. Carrying out this function successfully requires having an effective facility management program, as well as the right technology tools. This paper focuses on the technology aspect. We show how building management systems (BMS) and associated smart building technologies play a central role in identifying threats, reducing risks of infectious disease transmission, and monitoring for policy compliance.