Open access meets safety standards, with Siemens Smart Infrastructure
Iain Hoey
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Marcel Hazenbroek, Product Manager Building X APIs at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, explains how comprehensive APIs support the continuous information flow on a buildings’ fire safety status
Large buildings such as offices, hospitals or hotels have implemented dozens or even hundreds of fire detectors, fire notification appliances and other smart electronic devices.
Building operators or any other contractors should ideally know everything about these devices, including their exact location, current maintenance status, equipment condition and any incident associated with it in the past.
That information is needed to predictively eliminate malfunctions or soiling and thereby to ensure flawless performance in case of a genuine emergency.
Additionally, it can cover a wide range of devices from different manufacturers; or to connect to any third-party cloud-based system.
What is needed, in short, is an API – an Application Programming Interface – for the fire system, with open standards for data exchange.
APIs not only cover events, device status and locations, they also can be queried programmatically, in real time and comprehensive detail, by any application that needs to know about the safety status.
The primary advantage of these interfaces lies in the ability for building managers and further service providers to be in full control of choosing which applications to leverage.
By this they can extract most value from respective data to tackle business challenges effectively – including integration with other data sources where necessary.
API functions and their ecosystem
Key functions of APIs include tracking events, managing devices and mapping locations.
Database-like queries and filters allow any connected application to retrieve data such as device IDs, model names, locations, events and places.
Does this sensor have a history of false alarms? Which systems is it connected to? Where will the maintenance crew find it? Thanks to the API, applications from any supplier – or developed in-house – can retrieve this information quickly and easily.
Benefits include the ability to monitor events in real time across multiple devices down to the level of individual appliances, optimised responses in case of any occurring irregularities as well as automated, versatile and standardised documentations of events.
Detailed logging supports safety during emergencies and is especially helpful in analysing past events to understand their root cause, or to overview maintenance and comply with regulatory requirements.
The platform should be scalable and work seamlessly with existing fire solutions.
The interface must be user-friendly and it should be easy to set up customised alerts and notifications so that any user can stay informed about the most critical events and issues affecting the building.
In addition, AI-based applications and platforms are able to utilise incidents to not only provide real-time insights, but also leverage these details to take automated and reasonable action.
Adding value for building operators
An example of how APIs add value for building operators is Digitaallogboek, a digital logbook for any facility that requires periodic inspection, including a fire alarm and evacuation system developed in 2013 by Dutch technical services company Smart Service Solutions.
In general, a logbook should contain drawings, maintenance reports, and certificates, which a large proportion of companies are still missing when technical service providers are visiting.
Digital logbooks can be operational in thousands of buildings.
They provide valuable information to service providers, inspectors, managers and insurance experts.
Thanks to the integration via a cloud API a complete record is ensured, while saving operators’ time as there is no need to create entries manually.
Why open standards are the future
One thing is clear: an open approach is crucial for the future and the transition from closed to these new standards for a structured and unified data exchange in APIs will be key.
It fosters a dynamic environment for unlocking innovation and creating significant business value.
Especially in connection to open digital building platforms, APIs in fire safety enable access to event data from fire panels, empowering third party solutions with detailed information and optimising appropriate actions.
