Preventing unattended alarms leading to a crisis

In the high-stakes environment of UK hospitals, where every second counts, the role of a Building Management System (BMS) cannot be overstated. This sophisticated network of interconnected systems ensures the safety, health, and operational efficiency of hospital facilities. When these systems function correctly, they provide the backbone for seamless healthcare delivery. However, when they fail — especially when alarms go unattended — the consequences can be severe, and even life-threatening.

The essence of a BMS lies in its ability to monitor and control various critical building functions, ranging from heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems to power supplies, medical gas systems, and fire safety protocols. The BMS generates alarms whenever an anomaly or failure occurs. These alarms can indicate anything from a minor inconvenience, like a non-critical system warning, to a dire emergency — such as a power outage in a critical care unit, where patients depend on life support systems. Ignoring or delaying the response to these alarms can lead to catastrophic outcomes, not only risking patient lives, but also threatening the hospital's operational continuity and financial stability.

Despite the vital importance of these alarms, many hospitals continue to rely on outdated and manual processes to manage them. Traditionally, alarms generated by the BMS are displayed in a colour-coded list on a PC monitor located in the hospital's switchboard room. Here, operators are tasked with the dual responsibility of answering calls and monitoring these alarms. This set-up places a significant burden on operators, who must continuously scan the monitor for new alerts while juggling other responsibilities. The potential for human error in such a system is high, as operators might overlook or delay the recognition of a critical alarm due to the sheer volume of tasks they manage.