Last year, property management company The FirstPort Group launched its first AI-powered smart buildings platform, transforming how residential buildings are managed and maintained. The platform was trialled at two large residential developments, and following its success, FirstPort is now expanding the software to an additional 20 sites.
The AI software enables FirstPort to monitor the performance and condition of all essential building systems, from boiler plants and energy centres to lifts and water pumps, in real time. By providing live data on equipment health, energy efficiency, and safety, the system enables proactive maintenance and faster fault resolution, which reduces downtime and minimises disruption for residents.
Stuart Wilcox, Head of FirstPort’s Critical Infrastructure team, who spearheaded the introduction of the technology, said: “There are various elements to the system that bring real benefits to our property management service. This kind of predictive software helps us to carry out proactive maintenance, and we see it as an essential component for all new large developments.”
Digital twins: a new level of building insight
One of the most powerful features of the platform is its use of digital twins, a detailed 3D model of each development that maps every critical asset within the building.
Within these models, teams can locate equipment such as lifts, boilers or water pumps, and see its current status – working or faulty – and view detailed 3D imagery. This information can be instantly shared with the relevant stakeholders, who can see exactly where an asset is located, access its full service history, and review any recent issues. Developed in close collaboration with technology experts and service providers, the software is purpose-built to optimise building performance and resource efficiency.
When the software detects an anomaly in performance, it automatically alerts the management team by email. In the future, the system will go even further, sending automated updates to residents when a fault is detected — meaning customers will know an issue is already being handled, without needing to get in touch.
This level of oversight is also a crucial part of compliance with the Building Safety Act, as it provides clear, visual confirmation of the status and location of every critical asset in a building.
Supporting compliance with the Energy Act
The Energy Act 2023, now in force across England, Scotland, and Wales, is designed to improve the efficiency and transparency of energy centres, aligning them with the UK’s net zero targets.
Energy centres generate and distribute heating, hot water, and sometimes cooling from a central point and supply it to multiple homes. Owners of these centres, which are typically building freeholders, are required to register their energy centres with Ofgem by the end of 2025 and we are supporting clients to meet this deadline. This will be required to comply with a series of standards for data capture, performance monitoring, and reporting, which are set to be introduced for existing heat networks by the end of the year.
Stuart explained: “Gathering accurate data is a crucial part of the requirements set out in the Energy Act. Our AI software helps capture and analyse this data, enabling us to monitor heat network performance and meet the KPIs required under the Act. We are rolling out this software to our developments with energy centres; the data gathered on the platform will be essential for compliance with the Energy Act.”
Measurable results
The AI platform is already delivering significant savings. In one recent case study, the system detected over 5,000 litres of unnecessary water flow per hour was being heated and not being used. The system has now been adjusted, and it’s expected to save the homeowners over £26,000 a year. By quickly identifying and addressing the issue, this has prevented further waste and avoided unnecessary costs.
These early results demonstrate the platform’s ability not just to improve compliance and safety but to deliver measurable financial and environmental benefits.
Looking ahead
FirstPort’s investment in AI technology is transforming the way residential developments are managed. With the platform now expanding to additional sites, the rollout reflects FirstPort’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance service delivery, improve sustainability, and create smarter living environments for residents.
