Finland’s largest indoor sports hall utilizes VILPE Sense technology
Finland’s largest indoor arena, Botniahall, had long struggled with roof leaks. The leaks were difficult-to-detect and repair, which had led to substantial repair costs.
“We’re talking about a six-figure cost. Also, the partially wet insulation has likely lost its insulating properties and increased the energy consumption of the hall,” says Michael Lyyski, the manager of Vaasanseudun Areenat which manages the building.
Help came from the new roof data provided by VILPE Sense technology, which makes remote supervision substantially easier. VILPE Sense provides smart roof data, which supports downtime risk mitigation by helping remote supervisors decrease maintenance costs.
A Complex Renovation Challenge
Built in 1997, Botniahall is bustling daily with various activities. It serves as a venue for practicing various sports, hosting matches, and organizing events like fairs. The Botniahall is in Korsholm, Western Finland.
The renovation of the Botniahall was unavoidable as the old PVC roofing had reached its end, with numerous leaks present. The large roof, 17,000 m2 in total, initially had several challenging leaks, wet insulation in various spots, and water had penetrated the roof and entered the hall. The worn-out surface material and improperly attached water guides from the construction phase compounded the leakage issue.
The curved shape of the roof complicated repairs, as access requires a crane, and the steepness made walking on the roof impossible. Additionally, locating leaks on such a large roof without roof data has been extremely difficult. Jyrki Tyynelä, regional manager of TEP Roof Oy, who has frequently repaired the roof, has often repaired the roof of Botniahall.
“It’s rare to see this many leaks. In repair situations, we have been able to find and fix only the worst and clearly visible leaks. Repairing a leak usually required at least a day’s work,” says Tyynelä.
The Importance of Smart Roof Data
Botniahall is an excellent example of how challenging the maintenance and upkeep of sports hall roofs can be. Locating a leak on a roof that covers thousands of square meters is difficult. Traditionally, inspectors check the condition of the roof only a few times a year. This means that several months can pass between inspections. During this time, a hidden leak can grow into a more significant humidity problem, which requires more effort to repair.
This is where VILPE Sense’s roof data comes in. Sense sensors help detect and pinpoint leaks, making repairs faster and more efficient. This not only helps decrease maintenance costs but also supports downtime risk mitigation by preventing extended interruptions to the hall’s operations.
Remote Supervision and Smart Maintenance
Detecting leaks on a large roof has been extremely challenging without roof data, so the team decided to install the VILPE Sense leak detection system. With remote supervision, the system continuously monitors roof moisture levels, sends alerts about excessive humidity, and identifies exact leak locations. This targeted approach speeds up repairs and helps decrease maintenance costs significantly.
Lyyski was immediately enthusiastic about the VILPE Sense leak detectors.
“We’re realistic in that sense that even with a new and fantastic roof, leaks will occur over the years. It’s clear to us that investing in smart products will bring us savings in roof maintenance. A well-maintained roof extends its lifespan,” says Lyyski.
Alongside the leak detection system, Botniahall also has VILPE Sense humidity control. It analyses roof data, detects elevated moisture levels, and ventilates the structures as needed to dry the insulation layer. Maintaining a dry insulation layer is vital for ensuring long-term durability and performance of structures.
The roof will feature 487 VILPE Sense leak detectors, and 14 roof fans for demand-based ventilation of the insulation layer. This means that the system automatically enhances ventilation when it detects excessive humidity in the insulation layer. Conversely, the system reduces ventilation when the insulation layer is dry, or if the outdoor air is moist or below freezing.
Industry Perspective
As a roofing professional, Tyynelä has been keenly observing the launch of new smart products on the market.
“According to my opinion, the VILPE Sense products are the most effective solution on the market for detecting leaks and providing demand-based ventilation. The leak repairs on the Botniahall roof will undoubtedly become easier. Before, we searched for leaks across thousands of square metres of roofing, but with the new system, locating them will be hundred times easier,” says Tyynelä.
How VILPE Sense Benefits Sports Halls and Arenas
- Prevention: VILPE Sense detects when humidity levels rise within the structure, which is a sign of a potential leak. Once you have set automatic alarm thresholds, the user (such as the property owner or remote supervisor) receives an automated email notification about the increase in humidity levels. This enables remote supervision.
- Cost Savings: Early detection of leaks helps decrease maintenance costs. Over time, even a small leak can grow into a major humidity problem that is difficult and expensive to repair. Thanks to VILPE Sense, you can catch issues at an early stage, reducing repair and maintenance expenses.
- Downtime Risk Mitigation: If a leak reaches the interior, parts of the hall may need to be closed for repairs, which could be devastating before major events like sports tournaments or trade fairs. VILPE Sense significantly reduces downtime risk, providing peace of mind to hall owners and operators.
- Easy Remote Monitoring: Traditionally, inspecting a roof meant climbing onto it and spending hours checking thousands of square meters. VILPE Sense offers continuous remote supervision, allowing 24/7 monitoring of roof conditions without needing physical inspections.
Broad Applications Beyond Sports Arenas
At Botniahall, both the property manager and the roofing maintenance company benefited from VILPE Sense. In addition to sports halls, VILPE Sense is also suitable for other types of buildings that require efficient humidity control and leak detection.
Hotels
A roof leak in a hotel can harm the guest experience and reputation. High-value suites are often located on the top floor, where leaks strike first. At the same time, repairs generate noise, which can cause guest complaints. By using roof data and remote supervision, hotels can act proactively to prevent guest dissatisfaction and costly room closures.
Data Centers
Even a small leak above critical equipment can cause catastrophic failures, data loss, and severe downtime. Short interruptions in data center operations can cost huge amounts of money and cause significant disruptions to both companies and individuals. With continuous monitoring and downtime risk mitigation, VILPE Sense helps ensure smooth operations and compliance with SLAs.
Industrial Facilities
Roof leaks can damage machinery, raw materials, and products in a warehouse. A single day of downtime can be expensive and delay deliveries. By protecting industrial buildings with smart roof data and remote supervision, factories can ensure uninterrupted production and deliver the products as promised.
Shopping Centers
A leaking roof in a shopping center causes financial and reputational damage. Water can harm commercial spaces, storage areas, and products for sale, leading to immediate losses. Leaks harm both sales and tenant trust. VILPE Sense provides continuous remote monitoring, helping to decrease maintenance costs and preserve tenant satisfaction by preventing long-term disruptions.
Botniahall is just one example. Throughout this fall, we will share how smart roof technology works in hotels, data centers, and shopping centers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does VILPE Sense differ from a regular roof inspection?
Traditionally, the condition of a roof is checked only a few times a year. A maintenance company employee or the property owner must climb onto the roof to perform the check, which can take several hours. Roofing inspections can take hours, often missing hidden moisture issues.
VILPE Sense, however, provides continuous monitoring and instant access to roof data through a smartphone or computer. This makes it easier to catch problems early and prevent them from escalating.
Can you connect the VILPE Sense systemto building management systems (BMS)?
The VILPE Sense interface includes an open data transfer interface (REST API), making integration with modern building automation systems possible. This allows for seamless remote supervision.
If the building management system supports data retrieval via a REST API, connecting it requires custom programming (not included in VILPE’s delivery).
Alternatively, you can display the VILPE Sense interface directly on the monitoring screen of the building management system.
Additionally, you can adjust the minimum control voltage, reference voltage, and maximum voltage of the exhaust fan via the cloud service.
How does VILPE Sense save costs?
By detecting issues early, the VILPE Sense system allows for small, targeted repairs instead of large-scale renovations. This helps decrease maintenance costs, extend the lifespan of the roof, and support downtime risk mitigation.
By reacting to changes in humidity and temperature at an early stage, you can prevent not only extensive structural damage but also hidden costs, such as business interruptions, delays in insurance claims, and loss of customer trust.
How long does VILPE Sense operate without maintenance?
Once VILPE Sense is installed on the roof, it does not require any special maintenance actions. The system itself will remain operational for decades. The sensors have a lifespan of 10–15 years. A sensor will function until its battery runs out. After that, the sensor needs to be replaced, as the battery cannot be changed. The VILPE Sense user interface displays any issues, such as battery malfunctions, so the remote supervisor can easily track them.