Building management system

A building management system (BMS) or a (more recent terminology) building automation system (BAS) is a computer-based control system installed in buildings that controls and monitors the building’s mechanical and electrical equipment such as ventilation, lighting, power systems, fire systems, and security systems. A BMS consists of software and hardware; the software program, usually configured in a hierarchical manner, can be proprietary, using such protocols as C-Bus, Profibus, and so on. Vendors are also producing BMSs that integrate using Internet protocols and open standards such as DeviceNet, SOAP, XML, BACnet, LonWorks and Modbus.

Characteristics

Building management systems are most commonly implemented in large projects with extensive mechanical, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems. Systems linked to a BMS typically represent 40% of a building's energy usage; if lighting is included, this number approaches to 70%. BMS systems are a critical component to managing energy demand. Improperly configured BMS systems are believed to account for 20% of building energy usage, or approximately 8% of total energy usage in the United States.^[1]^[2]

In addition to controlling the building's internal environment, BMS systems are sometimes linked to access control (turnstiles and access doors controlling who is allowed access and egress to the building) or other security systems such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) and motion detectors. Fire alarm systems and elevators are also sometimes linked to a BMS, for monitoring. In case a fire is detected then only the fire alarm panel could shut off dampers in the ventilation system to stop smoke spreading and send all the elevators to the ground floor and park them to prevent people from using them.

Illumination (lighting) control
Electric power control
Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC)
Security and observation
Access control
Fire alarm system
Lifts, elevators etc.
Plumbing

Closed-circuit television (CCTV)
Other engineering systems
Control Panel
PA system
Alarm Monitor
Security Automation

Benefits of BMS

Good control of internal comfort conditions
Possibility of individual room control
Increased staff productivity
Effective monitoring and targeting of energy consumption
Improved plant reliability and life
Effective response to HVAC-related complaints
Save time and money during the maintenance.

Building owner

Higher rental value
Flexibility on change of building use
Individual tenant billing for services facilities time saving
Remote monitoring of the plants (such as AHU's, fire pumps, plumbing pumps, electrical supply, STP, WTP, grey water treatment plant etc.)

Maintenance companies

Ease of information availability
Computerized maintenance scheduling
Effective use of maintenance staff
Early detection of problems
More satisfied occupants

Additional benefits

Data is consolidated onto a single system to improve reporting, information management and decision-making. Integrating and managing the HVAC, energy, security, digital video and life safety applications from a single workstation allows facility-wide insight and control for better performance.
Increased operational savings – Efficient resource deployment can result in reduced operational costs, empowering operators, simplifying training and decreasing false alarms.
Energy efficient – Real-time view into facility operations and deep trend analysis provide data-driven insight to optimize your energy management strategies and minimize operational costs.
Flexibility to grow and expand – The powerful combination of open systems protocols and a scalable platform means the BMS can help support growth and expansion of the system in the future.
Reduced risk – Strategic mobile or desktop control, exceptional alarm management and integrated security solutions helps to see the big picture, helping to speed up response time and mitigate risks for the property, people and business.
Intelligent reporting – Comprehensive reporting with functionality for customizable reports delivers greater transparency into system history and promotes compliance.

BMS deals with energy demand management. EDM integrates energy policies and regulations in to overall company operations. It incorporates energy targets into overall business strategies. EDM conduct management reviews and establishes a system to collect, analyse and report data related energy consumption and ensure correctness and integrity of that data.

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Sunday, February 14, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.