Component labelling and passive building intelligence

Discusses the implications of auto‐ID technology advances in the area of facilities management. Advocates the use of auto‐ID for the development of “building intelligence”, whereby information can be obtained locally without reliance on a networked information system. Barcoding, often thought of as a rather static technology, is in fact undergoing quite radical changes which enable the codes to store massive amounts of information. This low cost information storage system is one of a number of auto‐ID solutions which require further development, particularly in the area of standards, if information is to be genuinely exchangeable between manufacturers, contractors and building owners. Describes some of the work currently being undertaken at the University of Reading concerned with the introduction of auto‐ID standards in construction and facilities management.