Leakage sensors saved residential property from extensive damage and wasted resources

Although House of Generations (Generationernes Hus) in Aarhus, Denmark, was only completed in 2020, the property has already experienced a serious water leak that led to temporary rehousing of residents and significant costs for emergency repairs and cleaning. The building was originally equipped with a centralised leak detection system designed to identify leaks and issue alarms. However, during the incident, the system did not perform as expected, and the leak was only discovered when the damage had already become extensive.

Learning from this experience, the management decided to find a more reliable solution. House of Generations installed two types of Brunata leakage sensors: one that detects direct water contact and another that monitors changes in humidity. Both sensors send alarms directly to the property operator.

“In the approximately six months that the sensors have been installed in every technical room in all our tenancies, we have received notifications both from the sensors that measure direct water contact and from the sensors that measure relative humidity. The alarm about direct water contact came from a small amount of water lying on the floor that had not dried out yet. It was not serious, but it showed us that the sensor was working. The second alarm was more serious,” says Bjarne Eis, technical coordinator at House of Generations and trained engineer.

In the summer of 2021, an alarm was triggered due to excessive humidity in an empty apartment. An initial inspection did not reveal any visible issues. However, within a few days, humidity levels rose to a critical level, triggering a second alarm. A follow-up inspection confirmed a leak, which was repaired immediately before it could cause extensive and costly damage.

“Our investment in Brunata’s sensors has already paid for itself. Water damage of the type we experienced this summer could easily have run into a considerable amount if we had not discovered it in time. In addition, we also feel more assured because we now know that the technology works and sends out an alarm if there is something we need to be aware of,” says Bjarne Eis.

Armed with documentation from these incidents, Bjarne Eis presented the results to senior management, and the information has since been shared with Aarhus Municipality. There is strong interest in the positive business case, as early detection not only prevents unnecessary costs but also reduces disruption for residents. The same benefits apply to both new and older buildings in the municipal portfolio.

“For me, it is not about highlighting Brunata or their solutions. It is about learning from our experiences and saving money in the municipal budget. The fact that I collaborated with a supplier who delivered at the highest level has simply made my job easier,” concludes Bjarne Eis.