What Are Soft Landings?
Soft landings refer to a strategy employed during the transition from construction to occupancy, designed to ensure a smoother handover of a building to its occupants. When a building is newly constructed or undergoing significant changes, not all systems and elements may be in perfect condition when the first occupants move in. Soft landings aim to close the gap between expected and achieved performance, ensuring the building is fully functional and comfortable for its occupants.
A key part of this process is to make sure that any defects or performance gaps in the building’s systems are identified and addressed in real-time, improving the overall quality of the building. Soft landings involve ongoing monitoring and adjustment of systems after occupancy, helping to ensure that the building performs optimally throughout its lifecycle.
What is Seasonal Commissioning?
Seasonal commissioning is an essential aspect of building management, particularly for systems that require adjustments based on seasonal changes, such as heating and cooling systems. The goal of seasonal commissioning is to ensure that a building’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems function at their best during the winter and summer months, optimising energy use and comfort.
The commissioning process involves putting building systems into their ideal operating state. As part of seasonal commissioning, these systems are fine-tuned at the start of each season to ensure they perform as expected and to address any potential inefficiencies or defects. For instance, heating systems may need to be re-commissioned before the cold weather sets in, and cooling systems may require attention before summer heatwaves.
This process plays a significant role in maintaining energy efficiency and system performance, reducing operational costs, and prolonging the life of key systems.
The Role of Post-Occupancy Evaluation
Once a building is occupied, it’s crucial to evaluate its performance and the overall satisfaction of its occupants. A post-occupancy evaluation (POE) uses various environmental assessment tools and direct feedback to measure factors like air quality, lighting, temperature, and energy usage. These evaluations help identify areas where improvements can be made and where the building might differ from its original design intent.
Tyrrell Analytics provides a robust platform that can assist with post-occupancy evaluation. By integrating data from various environmental tools, Tyrrell Analytics allows for real-time analysis of building performance and occupancy satisfaction, helping facility managers track and address post-occupancy issues as they arise.
Key Aspects of Post-Occupancy Evaluation
When evaluating a building post-occupancy, several factors must be considered to ensure the building meets the needs of both the occupants and the building owner:
- Health and Safety: Ensuring that safety systems are functioning and that the building adheres to health standards.
- Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): Monitoring CO2 levels, humidity, and temperature to ensure a healthy environment.
- Energy Efficiency: Assessing how energy systems are performing and identifying areas where energy consumption can be reduced.
- Comfort: Evaluating thermal comfort, airflow, and other aspects of occupant satisfaction.
- Maintenance: Ensuring long-term building systems and equipment are properly maintained.
By closely monitoring these factors, soft landings and seasonal commissioning help maintain the building’s performance close to its intended condition, maximising both occupant comfort and operational efficiency.
How Tyrrell Analytics Can Help
Tyrrell Analytics serves as an essential tool for managing soft landings and seasonal commissioning throughout the lifecycle of a building. Its platform offers real-time monitoring of all aspects of building performance, including HVAC systems, energy consumption, and indoor air quality. With Tyrrell Analytics, facility managers can collect and analyse data from various systems, gaining actionable insights that allow for timely interventions and maintenance.
Benefits of Using Tyrrell Analytics for Soft Landings and Seasonal Commissioning
- Comprehensive Data Integration: Tyrrell Analytics can integrate with a range of systems, providing a centralised platform to monitor building performance, from HVAC systems to lighting and energy use.
- Real-Time Monitoring: The platform enables real-time tracking of building performance, helping identify potential issues before they become costly problems.
- Predictive Maintenance: With data-driven insights, Tyrrell Analytics supports predictive maintenance, allowing facility managers to identify when systems need to be re-commissioned or serviced.
- Environmental Monitoring: Tyrrell Analytics connects with various environmental assessment tools, allowing facility managers to collect and analyse data on air quality, temperature, humidity, and more.
- Custom Reporting: Tyrrell Analytics allows users to create custom reports on a building’s performance, making it easier to track progress and provide stakeholders with relevant data on building efficiency and occupancy satisfaction.
Why Soft Landings Matter for Building Owners and Facility Managers
For building owners and facility managers, soft landings and seasonal commissioning are critical for ensuring that the building operates efficiently, remains comfortable for occupants, and stays compliant with regulations. By integrating Tyrrell Analytics into the building management process, these professionals can proactively monitor performance, ensure energy efficiency, and address issues in real-time.
Get Started with Tyrrell Analytics Today
Tyrrell Analytics offers a powerful platform for facility managers and building owners to optimise their building’s performance during and after construction. Whether you’re managing a new build or an existing facility, Tyrrell Analytics can provide the tools you need for effective soft landings and seasonal commissioning.
With Tyrrell Analytics, you can monitor, analyse, and optimise your building’s performance across multiple dimensions, ensuring long-term efficiency, occupant satisfaction, and operational success. Get started with Tyrrell Analytics today to take control of your building’s future.
