Challenges in data management when monitoring confined spaces using BIM and wireless sensor technology

Abstract

According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2013 around three hundred deaths occurred in the US construction industry due to exposure to hazardous environment. A study of international safety regulations suggests that lack of oxygen and temperature extremes contribute to hazardous work environments particularly in confined spaces. Real-time monitoring of these confined work environments through wireless sensor technology is useful for assessing their thermal conditions. Moreover, Building Information Modeling (BIM) platform provides an opportunity to incorporate sensor data for improved visualization through new add-ins in BIM software. In an attempt to reduce Health and Safety (H&S) hazards, this work reports upon an integrated solution based on BIM and wireless sensor technology. A prototype system has been developed that: collects real-time temperature and oxygen data remotely from wireless sensors placed at confined spaces on a construction site; notifies H&S managers with information needed to make decisions for evacuation planning; and ultimately attempts to analyze sensor data to reduce emergency situations encountered by workers operating in confined environments. However, fusing the BIM data with sensor data streams will challenge the traditional approaches to data management due to huge volume of data. This work reports upon these challenges encountered in the prototype system.