Making buildings intelligent for security and safety

. PHOTO: STAR

The seminar, organised by Siemens Bangladesh Limited, highlighted that buildings today have to be made intelligent with sophisticated solutions for security, safety, energy efficiency and savings, environment protection and personal comfort of the occupants.

Secretary to the housing and public works ministry ASM Rashidul Hai said that an intelligent building has to have solutions for various services, amenities, energy saving systems and environmental impacts. Open areas, greenery and fire safety of a building are crucial concerns today.

"Despite the fact that specific expertise, specialisation and skilled manpower, all technical requirements in a building project are often not met, codes are not followed, and violation of building construction rules are rampant," he said, "These have often led to disastrous consequences with loss of lives and property."

In this context, introduction of intelligent building solution is a timely endeavour, he said.

President of Real Estate and Housing Association Bangladesh (Reahab) engineer Abdul Awal said that structural safety of a building should be the prime concern of an engineer with other safety issues equally important.

Fire safety and energy efficiency among other safety measures are very important for an intelligent building also known as smart building, he said.

"I am in doubt whether there has been a single intelligent building built in the Dhaka city," Awal said.

Rudolf P Klink, chief executive officer of Siemens Bangladesh, said that his company is particularly conscious of the needs of a smart building.

"We care about your total needs including power generation, fire safety systems, water treatment plant, security sensor, efficient electrification, gas and electric power generation and transmission, telecommunications and information technology solutions," he said.

"Total security and safety of an intelligent building is our vision," Klink said.

Rene Arnt, director of industrial solutions and services of Siemens Bangladesh made a presentation on efficient electric and electronic systems, all-in-one telephony solution, car parking provision, water treatment and drinking water filteration technology of an intelligent building.

Huberus Boesten, director of power division of Siemens Bangladesh, presented on power generation and supply system while senior manger Nayeem Parvez presented on Siemens' efficient fire detection and alarm systems of an intelligent building.