LoRa®-based sensors and gateways using the LoRaWAN® standard protect San Francisco’s iconic Ghirardelli Square with real-time monitoring for leak detection.
Semtech Corporation along with Kairos, an innovator in operational risk management solutions for commercial and residential properties, announce their collaboration to enhance water monitoring and leak protection at the renowned Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco.
Kairos’ leak detection strip sensors and gateways based on Semtech’s LoRa® technology operate on a LoRaWAN® network and connect to the cloud to enable real-time monitoring. If any water leaks are detected, these LoRa-enabled sensors send an instantaneous alert to facilities management so that any potential damage to the property can be greatly reduced or eliminated with quick action.
Semtech’s LoRa technology continues to be the de facto LPWAN wireless platform of Internet of Things (IoT) devices with more than 300 million LoRa end nodes deployed across the globe. Semtech’s LoRa chipsets connect sensors to the cloud and enable real-time communication of data and analytics. This prompt management helps to enhance the efficiency and productivity of sustainable IoT use cases such as agriculture, industrial, transportation, and more.
Largely considered to be the country’s first successful real estate adaptive reuse project, Ghirardelli Square is a remarkable blend of rich history and contemporary infrastructure. Integrating state-of-the-art leak protection systems without disrupting the tenant and customer experience, or critical infrastructure, is a typical challenge that acquirers and restoration teams encounter across the United States. Putting modern, non-intrusive facility management systems at the heart of all risk mitigation efforts is critical to preserving these iconic assets.
“The United States spends upwards of one billion dollars annually on restoration projects, promoting economic, environmental, and educational benefits for businesses and consumers,” said Tom Mueller, executive vice president and general manager, IoT System Products Group at Semtech Corporation.
“As we modernize and preserve more historical locations, we must use minimally invasive, low-power and long-range risk mitigation solutions that do not disrupt the cultural experience. From water leaks to smoke detection, to air quality, to power management, and more, LoRa is the answer. And, in the case of Ghirardelli Square, who doesn’t like a wonderful piece of chocolate?”
Previously, rainfall led to water intrusion into one of the main switchgear rooms at Ghirardelli Square, resulting in temporary interruptions for the building and neighboring businesses. With the application of Noah Multifunction Leak Sensors, based on LoRa technology and running on a LoRaWAN network, the site team addressed this challenge comprehensively. The patented asset protection system detected multiple leaks within the first month itself, successfully preventing substantial damage.
“Having built a real estate home service business and witnessed the aftermath of over 3,000 water damage incidents made me realize the size of this problem that plagues about 14,000 homes a day in the US,” said Dean Fung-A-Wing, chief executive officer and Founder of Kairos.
“Water detection systems for commercial and multifamily properties must be affordable, require minimal maintenance, and consume little energy to provide a good return on investment and environmental benefits.”
“With Semtech’s LoRa technology, our discrete Kairos sensor solutions significantly impact even the most challenging real estate assets. Our sensors install in seconds while providing data, coverage, and protection for up to 10 years.”
Today, the historic chocolate factory is a specialty retail and dining complex.
