IoT Technology and Construction – Key Opportunities and Implementations

IoT has existed for some time already, and is already a contemporary standard in a number of useful ways.

12:41 23 February 2024

Construction is a lynchpin industry in the UK, and indeed in every nation; without it, we wouldn’t have any of the infrastructure to which we have become accustomed. Construction and technology are not often considered in the same breath, given the reputation of construction work as raw and quintessential – but technology is essential to modern construction, in a great many unique ways. One lesser-sung technological tool in construction is that of IoT; what is it, though?

What is IoT?

IoT stands for Internet of Things, and refers to the interconnectivity of WiFi-enabled devices. In short, IoT devices are capable of ‘talking’ to one another, whether sharing status reports or pre-programmed commands. IoT has already been a common fixture at home, where devices like Amazon’s Alexa can talk to WiFi-enabled light fixtures, other smart speakers, your smartphone and even your fridge. In trade industries, their use cases extend even further.

Humidity Sensors

A key case study for the usefulness of IoT technology in construction presents in the management of construction materials. Some large-scale projects utilise timber as a core construction material, either as a dependable cost-saving measure or as an eco-efficiency move. In either case, wood – being an organic material – can be a tricky material to effectively utilise.

One key instance is the use of CLS softwood timber in structural framing, where the wrong air humidity conditions can make for problematic installation. IoT technology can be effectively deployed in tandem with air humidity sensors, to receive positive humidity data and relay it to a central computer – thus alerting workers of ideal installation conditions without requiring hands-on measurement and re-measurement.

Logistics and Transport                                                                                    

IoT is also an extremely useful accessory with regards to transportation and logistics. From the supply side of the equation, trade counters and wholesalers can use IoT to inform stock levels and automate re-ordering processes; indeed, the same can be done by contractors and construction conglomerates, in order to properly manage ordering processes and minimise supply-related construction delays. Construction companies can also use IoT to track fleet movement, making the direction of staff to urgent jobs or tasks much easier overall.

The Future of IoT

IoT has existed for some time already, and is already a contemporary standard in a number of useful ways – as explored above. However, its usage in the future could be dramatically different, as new technologies continue to be developed and iterated.

The construction industry is notoriously slow to pick up on new technologies. This is a positive factor, as potentially dangerous new concepts are tested rigorously before being introduced to one of the more dangerous industries in the Western world. As such, there are existing IoT applications that are yet to make their way into conventional construction sites, which may well do so soon. Worker tracking and safety management are key areas in which this may become a future reality.