1. Introduction

This study addresses the issue of integrating Internet of Things (IoT) technologies into modern building engineering and Building Management Systems (BMS). The substantive scope of the work includes an analysis of the evolution of buildings from passive structures to highly interactive systems which, thanks to a dense network of sensors and actuators, are able to optimize their operational parameters in real time. Particular attention is paid to the synergy between the hardware layer (end devices) and the analytical layer (data processing algorithms), indicating the key role of communication protocol interoperability in creating a coherent smart building ecosystem. The analysis also covers the impact of these solutions on energy efficiency, property security, and the psychophysical comfort of end users.

Internet of Things (IoT) - is a term that was defined in 1999 by Kevin Ashton, originally in reference to RFID systems; however, the contemporary definition (based on IEEE and ISO/IEC standards) is much broader. In the context of construction, it is defined as a network of physical objects — sensors, actuators, and devices — connected to a network that collect and exchange data in order to optimize the operation of a building. These systems go beyond traditional building automation (BMS), offering deep integration and real-time analytics.

A key element of this definition is the transition from an “automated building” to an “intelligent building”. While classical automation was based on rigid algorithms (e.g., turn on the light when motion is detected), IoT introduces an analytical layer based on historical data and prediction. An intelligent building management system uses IoT to create a so-called “digital twin” (Digital Twin) of the facility, which enables the simulation of various operational scenarios and the selection of the most efficient one.

These systems are characterized by three fundamental features:

1. Ubiquity: Sensors are integrated directly into structural and installation elements.
2. Context-awareness: Devices understand the context of their environment (e.g., they know that a higher room temperature results from sudden solar exposure rather than an air-conditioning failure).
3. Scalability: The ability to add thousands of new measurement points without the need to rebuild the main network infrastructure.

Currently, the implementation of IoT in buildings goes beyond simple temperature control. The most representative examples include:

• Intelligent lighting systems: They use external light intensity sensors and astronomical clocks to adjust the color and brightness of indoor lighting to the human circadian rhythm (so-called daylight harvesting), which directly affects productivity in office buildings and allows for reduced energy consumption.
• Integrated HVAC systems (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning): These systems collect data from conference room booking calendars and people counters to cool or heat specific rooms only when it is actually necessary, eliminating energy waste in unoccupied zones.
• Intelligent fire safety systems: Unlike traditional smoke detectors, IoT systems can indicate the exact path of fire spread and dynamically change the illumination of evacuation routes, guiding people to a safe location.
• Structural Health Monitoring: The use of strain gauges and accelerometers at key structural nodes of high-rise buildings allows for the detection of micro fatigue damage after strong winds or seismic events.
• Predictive Maintenance: Vibration and temperature sensors in elevators or pumps that predict failures before they occur.