Building automation basis
BMS systems are control networks based on “intelligent” microprocessors installed to monitor and control the technical systems and services of buildings such as air conditioning, ventilation, lighting and hydraulics. More specifically, they link the functionality of individual pieces of construction equipment to act as one complete integrated system.
It is now being installed in every major building or facility with the availability of direct integration into all other services such as security, access control, CCTV, fire protection systems, elevators and other life and safety systems. The current generation of BMS systems are based on open communication protocols and are available online, allowing multi-vendor system integrations and access from anywhere in the world.
First, let’s clarify one thing …
INDUSTRIAL JARGON.
Terminology and abbreviations
Building Management Systems (BMS) also known as Building Automation Systems (BAS), Building Management and Control System (BMCS), Direct Digital Controls (DDC) and Building Controls.
BMS Aspects
– Lighting.
– Heating, ventilation and air control (HVAC).
– Fire, smoke detection and alarms..
– Motion detection, CCTV, security and access control.
– ICT systems.
– Elevators.
– Industrial processes or equipment.
– Shades/Blinds.
– Smart measurements.
What does BMS offers customers?
1 BAS management through heating plant reset programs, static pressure monitoring and other systems where energy savings can be achieved by these prediction programs.
2 Ability to monitor energy consumption, including measurements of electricity, gas, water, steam, hot water, chilled water and fuel oil services.
3 Ability to send alarms via email, pager or phone to alert building managers and / or technicians about system problems and malfunctions.
4 Response options. Based on the needs of the zones, the set value for the different heating and cooling sources will change according to those needs of the zones. In the VAV system, all VAV boxes are shipped from the central air control unit.
5 It allows the owner to set work schedules for lighting equipment and systems so that energy savings can be made when the building or spaces in the building are not occupied.
6 Together with the proper tuning of mechanical systems, the system offers cost-based enthalpy calculations and / or CO2 setpoint control.
7 It should enable the system to compare room temperature, outdoor air conditions and equipment capabilities so that the equipment can be turned on at the appropriate time.
8 Must have communication capabilities to integrate with other building automation and TCP / IP management systems. Compatibility with BACnet or other open source communication protocol is a plus.
BMS Application Domains
Whether it is Terminal 5 of the Heatrow Airport or an ambitious lake house next to Zurich, a unique standard for managing various devices within a building would greatly simplify the application of innovative and complex architectural ideas. In this case, the important criteria for reducing the cost of such buildings are smooth operation, comprehensive functional network handling and economical use of energy.
Standard or conventional electrical installations alone can meet these requirements to a certain extent, while requiring increased work and material input. Therefore, architects and investors are increasingly seeking system technologies for homes and buildings based on an internationally standardized BUS. Using multifunctional sensors and actuators, heating, air conditioning and security installations can be used with a practical, cost-effective and immensely flexible network system, which can also be expanded at any time in the future.
Building Management System helps managers understand how buildings work and allow them to control and adapt systems to optimize their performance.
In addition to consolidating data and providing easy control, BMS can help you: visualize data, generate reports automatically, create alarms and alerts when parameters are exceeded, in the event of malfunctions, or to operate meteorological systems. It can also enable comparison of premises, buildings and benchmark data.
BMS and HVAC
Modern buildings usually have central HVAC facilities to provide heating and cooling to the entire building. Some high level buildings may have several central plants either in the basement, on various floors or on the roof of a building. Institutional buildings also, to some extent, have central facilities that provide heating and cooling for campus-wide buildings. In the old days, before the automation systems were built, these systems were not integrated.
Building Automation Systems, or BAS, today manage to integrate and offer precise controls based on several factors, including weather, occupation factors, and other variable elements that decompose down to micro levels and allow systems to be highly energy efficient.
Many wonder what Building Automation Systems (BAS) can do. BAS is mainly used in commercial air control systems and energy management system applications. Building automation itself is an energy management system that saves building owners energy by effectively controlling air conditioning, heating comfort and process systems.
At BUS, mechanical and electrical systems and equipment are coupled to microprocessors that communicate with each other, either independently or with a computer. This computer and controllers in the building automation system can be networked on the Internet or serve as a standalone system only for the local controller network.
In addition, BAS controllers themselves do not need a computer to process control functions because they have their own internal processors.