[ Spotlight: Building management systems ]


marketing communications specialist, comments: ‘Lighting empty rooms is almost a criminal drain on resources, and many companies are still completely unaware of the issue.’


Defi ning moment Building management systems (BMS) combine state- of-the-art control techniques with communication and information systems that allow active management of building services. They can be used to control various systems including mechanical and electrical equipment, lighting, power, fi re detection, security, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC). The last few years have also seen the emergence of the close relative of the BMS – the building energy management system (BEMS). However, the two terms are often used to mean the same thing – so, what’s the real diff erence?


Although a BEMS is similar to a BMS it focuses


specifi cally on energy-based building services. Nevertheless, the two terms are often used interchangeably, and Trevor Palmer, managing director at Sontay, says: ‘I do not believe the diff erence between these types of systems to be that profound. I would suggest the analytical tools included in the newest systems are what make the diff erence.’ For Ian Ellis, marketing manager at Siemens


Building Technologies, his term of preference is defi nitely BEMS, and he says: ‘This refers to a single holistic system that can receive meaningful data that can be used to monitor and manage energy usage.’ Both BMS and BEMS calculate the preset


requirements of a building and control its connected plant to meet its defi ned needs. Inputs such as temperature sensors, and outputs such as on/off signals, are connected into outstations around a building. The level of control provided is dependent both on the information received from the sensors and the way in which the system’s programmes are confi gured to respond to that data. As well as off ering a precise degree of control to a building’s environment, it can be made to warn of individual items of plant failure, and to provide notifi cation of alarm situations.


Driving force Not surprisingly, given the need for enhanced energy effi ciency and cost reduction, demand for BMS and BEMS is at an all time high and the sector is buoyant, despite the prevailing economic climate. The market is also evolving rapidly, and Bill Wright,


the ECA’s head of energy solutions, states: ‘As the technology becomes better and more versatile, these systems are able to monitor and manage all the components of a building’s infrastructure.’ The new breed of solutions can also control


an entire site, from the factory to smaller offi ce buildings. James Thackrah, UK segment manager for green buildings at Schneider Electric, explains: ‘The latest systems are designed to give control back to


A BEMS can generate data that can be used


to monitor and manage energy usage


The need to monitor and manage energy is a message that is hitting home


people in the building. This means that individuals can manage small areas with room controllers, giving a better level of employee comfort, while whole buildings and estates can be managed via one centralised system. For example, if it is a hot day, it can draw outside weather information into the system, which then enables it to adjust the temperature inside the building quickly and easily, maintaining an optimum environment.’ The level of monitoring and management that can be facilitated is impressive, and Steve Browning,


Case study: climate control


A state-of-the-art BMS from Distech Controls is making a major contribution towards improving indoor climate quality, reducing energy consumption and lowering carbon emissions at a refurbished 60,000m2


offi ce block in Oslo. The building is undergoing a total retrofi t, with eight new air handling


units installed, as well as an upgrade of the BMS to include an energy management program. It required a control system that could be quickly installed to meet demanding project timescales. The system also needed to be easy to use, with optimiser functions and smartphone capabilities. Integrator, SD-Consult, selected the Distech EC-NetAX web-based,


integrated building management platform for the project allowing seamless integration between heating and cooling within the HVAC plant. The company’s managing director, Erik Nordli, says: ‘EC-NetAX off ers multi-protocol, multi-function capabilities to provide seamless and intelligent integration of diff erent building services sub-systems using a web browser. It off ers a common platform for key functions such as network control, energy monitoring, alarming, data logging management, and audit trails, and communicates with building services equipment using the BACnet protocol.’


September 2013 ECA Today 29


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