What is Building Automation?
Building Automation enables facilities to be driven and managed by sophisticated electronics. In a broad sense, these "intelligent buildings" are designed so that the HVAC environment, lighting, and security systems perform at the highest efficiency possible. From an HVAC perspective, the automated systems that produce intelligent buildings are often referred to as Facility Management Systems (FMS) or Building Automation Systems (BAS).
How does a building automation system work?
Building Automation Systems help facility managers understand their buildings, make intelligent decisions, and respond more easily to changing conditions. Building Automation Systems are computer driven to control such HVAC-related issues as temperature, humidity, airflow, and equipment operation. In many cases, a body walking into a room will activate lighting and heating. In addition to helping you make more informed decisions regarding the challenges and changing conditions of your facility, a Building Automation System monitors and controls the day-to-day operation of your building's HVAC, safety, lighting, and security systems.
What are the benefits of a Building Automation System?
Building Automation Systems offer you precise control, accurate and timely data that would otherwise be difficult to obtain, speed in decision making, faster problem solving, and more comfortable and productive work environments. It results in countless system integration possibilities, such as an opportunity to share data through a network, and it contributes to energy efficiency and cost savings.
In addition, automation enables field service technicians to be dispatched via handheld PCs. From any location, the technician can call up a complete history of the equipment, diagnose the problem, and electronically record equipment readings and the tasks he performed. The technician's notes are captured in a database and routed to the appropriate managers.
What is important to know about implementing a Building Automation System?
When you decide to implement a Building Automation System, you must take into consideration all cost savings and hidden costs, not just energy savings. The system with the lowest initial purchase price often is complicated and requires a larger overall investment during its lifetime. In most cases, the simpler the system is to operate, the greater the contribution engineers and technicians can make toward increasing efficiency and lowering costs on a daily basis.
What are the challenges of a Building Automation System?
The biggest challenge is keeping up with technology. Fortunately, today's Building Automation Systems technology offers more powerful, user friendly, graphics-based systems, which reduce the need for frequent and costly outside support. As building automation continues to push the technology envelope, you can expect powerful, yet simpler, systems that improve HVAC energy efficiency while also improving comfort. |