To help businesses cut property losses while boosting sustainability, Zurich UK has rolled out a smart building offering.
Featuring self-installed devices and the so-called “Zurich insite” technology, the new proposition allows real-time monitoring of buildings’ ‘health’. The sensors – which can be used in manufacturing and warehousing facilities, schools, hotels, offices, retail buildings, etc. – collect operational and environmental information which is then analysed against the insurer’s risk grading factors and best practice on sustainability.
The goal is to provide actionable insights not only to improve efficiency but also identify issues before they would normally be detected. A live dashboard allows customers to set notification alerts when specific data points hit certain thresholds, while a 60-day health check report offers risk reduction suggestions, among other things.
“Not only do smart sensors improve a building’s efficiency, they also reduce risks,” said Zurich Resilience Solutions property and energy head Louise Kerrigan. “Insights from the sensors can help detect dangers in real time, alerting building managers and helping them take action to mitigate or remove threats before they become loss events. This saves costs, improves business resilience, and keeps people safe.”
The company, for instance, has already saved an estimated £7,500 per building after installing the sensors in several Zurich UK offices.
“Unlocking the power of data is the key to achieving safer, smarter, and more sustainable buildings,” asserted Zurich UK innovation head Mark Budd. “By providing more effective controls over energy usage, this technology can help businesses to enhance their efficiency, reduce utility costs, and promote a greener workplace. This is even more critical as firms adapt to changing occupancy levels brought on by agile working.”
Facilities managers and risk & insurance professionals who are interested in learning more can join the Smart Buildings: Managing Risk with Data webinar by Zurich happening on June 14.
