#1: Wearables
Wearables are among the most recognizable IoT devices used by many people and are also one of the most beneficial in the construction field. Wearables such as smart helmets and work boots with a connected system are beginning to be used on construction sites, thereby improving the safety of workers and efficiency.
More than one-in-five workplace deaths occur within the field of construction. However, wearables can assist by warning workers of dangerous situations. Sensors on connected helmets detect heart rates and body temperature to determine those at risk of exertion and advise the wearer to rest.
Proximity sensors alert workers to know the edge of a fall risk or heavy machinery, which can prevent accidents. Wearables can also assist construction teams to stay on top of their game. They can offer location information, allowing managers to keep track of where everyone is at all times. The data from these sensors could be used to determine where the most inefficiencies happen and can help inform how workflows are modified.
#2: Safety Sensors
Safety sensors on the vehicle or at the site can be a similar use of IoT in construction with significant advantages. As wearables can provide valuable safety data about employees, they can perform the same for the entire work site.
Around 75% of all struck-by accidents are caused by heavy machinery. IoT sensors in this machine will notify operators and automatically stop the device if they are too close to a worker to avoid incidents.
Maintenance sensors can notify teams that equipment requires repair to avoid malfunctions or breakdowns that could pose a risk to employees nearby. On-site IoT sensors can detect dangerous substances like toxic fumes and high temperatures. When the readings are at hazardous levels, the systems notify employees, allowing them to leave or stop work to avoid injuries.
#3: Material Monitoring
Construction sites also can use IoT devices to track their materials. Concrete sensors are among the most well-known examples. By putting connected sensors into concrete, builders can remotely observe the curing process and determine whether it requires repair.
Since concrete curing is subject to fluctuations in response to humidity and temperature, There’s no guarantee of time to ensure it’s completed. By monitoring the process using IoT devices, teams can ensure they get started early enough, maximizing the timeframes for the completion of projects.
The same technology can be used to keep track of the infrastructure’s condition following the project’s completion. Sensors connected to the network can notify the owners of buildings or infrastructure officials of weakening or cracking concrete in real time and let them take action to prolong its lifespan.
#4: Theft Prevention
Theft prevention is yet another growing use of IoT in construction. Construction sites are a prime target for thieves due to their high-cost equipment and insecure security. In the present, when costs for construction materials are increasing, the likelihood of theft is increasing; however, IoT devices are helping to combat it.
The connected drones can patrol work sites without needing a human security force. They can deter potential thieves by flying around the area, and if somebody does manage to commit a crime, their video footage could assist in tracking them down.
Location sensors in equipment can help, too. IoT trackers can send a tool or vehicle’s location in real time without warning the person who took the item. Police or construction firms can then track and retrieve the stolen items.
#5: Waste Management
Construction teams also utilize IoT technologies to monitor and minimize waste. Construction and demolition projects produced around 600 million tons of trash in 2018, including wasted energy or fuel.
IoT tracking gives the information that the industry requires to decrease this figure. Information from vehicle tracking systems could reveal patterns of usage that could be more efficient. Construction teams can adjust according to the need and reduce their energy consumption. Utilizing similar methods to other equipment can yield similar benefits in terms of energy consumption.
IoT sensors can also track the waste levels on site and show the sources of waste to ensure less wasteful methods for the future. These systems aid in keeping construction sites as clean as possible, improving safety, and making efficient work on site.