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building management system (BMS) is crucial in any building to control and monitor energy usage. There is often debate within the industry on whether a bespoke system is always required, or can a `standardised` BMS philosophy meet the needs of a building?


BUILDING CONTROLS BSEE


Building Management Systems – should they be bespoke? A


ensure services are not left on when not required.


Malcolm Anson, President of the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) offers his views on whether all building management systems should be bespoke for each individual facility.


When it comes to choosing a BMS, the potential business benefits are likely to be high on a client’s agenda, e.g. how the system will enhance a buildings performance. Ultimately this will then provide energy and cost savings as well as a return on the investment.


Invariably financial implications should not be a decisive factor when specifying a building management system. However, often this can be the case and this can lead to energy being wasted and contributing to higher overall costs in the long term. Identifying the human need of a building is also important as this will provide user comfort. This will vary significantly from one building to another and will depend on different criteria such as, who will be occupying the space and what their behaviours might be. Being aware of these will ensure that technology serves occupants rather than manages them. Facilities such as hospitals, which are the second most energy- intensive buildings to run after restaurants, need to be able to


manage everything from HVAC to access control points to lighting and valuable medical equipment assets. In such a demanding environment where patient health and wellbeing is critical, a BMS is often required to integrate multiple facilities and this needs to be highly flexible. This allows it to easily cope with the constant changes in the hospital’s usage and enables a wide range of programming. It is crucial that hospital staff are able to access real time monitoring to respond to varying environmental conditions such as temperature, moisture and CO₂.


Hotels present another example where a bespoke building management system is a necessity.


Hotels are constantly evolving environments with highly variable and unpredictable occupancy profiles which apply to guest rooms, function rooms and conference suites, all of which will have its own set of requirements.


Specifying an open protocol system in buildings where


occupancy is likely to vary is the best solution to allow for expansion or further integration if required. A bespoke building management system will ensure building services run efficiently and smoothly in accordance to demand and therefore avoid energy wastage. For example, if a room is unoccupied, the BMS will ensure the environment is reset to a desired state and


We must recognise that each building is unique. Two office buildings may have been built to the same specification and from the outset look identical. However, in reality each has its own set of requirements which need careful consideration if the building is to perform to a high standard. We need to remember in the BMS world there is no one size fits all solution. However, it is important to clients that we keep the same terminology and processes throughout, to ensure consistency and a level of understanding. Bespoke building management systems are the ideal solution for each individual facility with constant monitoring and adjustments to ensure optimum building performance and ensuring energy savings for years to come.


www.bcia.co.uk


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BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER AUGUST 2017 17


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