Intelligent Building Management Systems

Introduction

IntelligentBuilding Management Systems (IBMS) is also known as Building Automation Systems (BAS), Building Management and Control System (BMCS).

What makes IBMS (or BAS or BMS) Intelligent?

BMS systems are “Intelligent” microprocessor-based controller networks installed to monitor and control a building’s technical systems and services such as air conditioning, ventilation, lighting, and hydraulics. More specifically they link the functionality of individual pieces of building equipment so that they operate as one complete integrated system.

Current generation of BMS systems are based on Open Communication Protocols and are Web enabled to facilitate integration of systems from multiple vendors and provide anytime, anywhere access to key stakeholders. All major services like HVAC, Electrical, Public Health Systems, Security, Access Control, CCTV, Fire Lifts, and other Life and Safety Systems can now be seamlessly integrated and made to function as one entity using BMS.

Increase Efficiency and Comfort. Reduce Complexity and Manpower Costs

Intelligent Building Management Systems or IBMS is typically used in a high-rise residential buildings, commercial buildings, hotels, hospitals, institutes, industrial buildingswhich have massive built-up areas and various MEPFequipment like chillers, AHUs, VAV, Lightings, Electrical Panels, Pumps, Firefighting Systems, etc.

Increase Efficiency. Reduce Costs and Complexity

Manually commissioning, operating and maintaining complex MEPFinvolves massive manpower costs and is extremely time consuming. This increases costs not only at the time of commissioning but also at the operational and maintenance levels.

On the other hand, IBMS is a computer based control system that controls and monitors all critical systems, ensures they are running at peak efficiency and in perfect synch.

All this happens from a single room where technicians are fed reports and data from each and every system and if there is an issue, the IBMS pinpoints the source of the issue so that technicians can resolve it with accuracy. This is in stark contrast to a manual system where technicians have to do a lot of guesswork before identifying where the fault lies.

In fact, the current generation of IBMS even allows you to remotely monitor and fix issues through a phone by using a web interface.

Since all systems linked to IBMS use a large amount of energy,IBMS systems are critical components to manage energy demands. Improper configuration can lead to energy wastage.

What are the Functions of IBMS in Built Environment ?

  1. The role of the IBMS in everyday building operation
  • The most common primary function of the IBMS is the control of a buildings Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems (HVAC) including-Air Handling Units, Chilled Water Plant, Cooling Towers, Tenant Condenser Water, Heating Water Plant Exhaust Systems.
  • Control of Building Systems and Services
  • Real Time Monitoring of Building Operation and Performance
  • Trending and Logging of Building Operation and Performance
  • Time Scheduling of Building Systems
  • Fault Management and Alarming
  • Control Application Programming
  • User Event Management
  • Real Time Energy Management and Reporting.
  • Data transfer for Energy Audits or Energy Performance Reports in future.
  1. Building Control Applications:
  • Zone temperature monitoring and control for Energy Efficient Operations
  • Variable Air Volume (VAV) control to zones for optimal Thermal Comforts
  • Indoor Air Quality (Zone CO2 monitoring etc.) control
  • Air handling unit supply air temperature control
  • Air handling unit supply air flow / pressure control
  • Main Chilled Water Generating Plant(Chillers, Pumps, Cooling Towers etc)
  • Thermal Storage System Control & Integration.
  • Ventilation Systems – Toilet, Carpark, kitchen &general exhaust fan control
  • After Hours Building Control
  • Lighting Controls
  • Hot Water System Controls, Boiler/Heat Pumps/Solar systems etc.
  • Water Supply System Control
  1. Measuring and Monitoring Building Performance
  • Operator interfaces including Graphical User Interface (GUI) for monitoring and adjustments
  • Trend data is important when determining the stability of control algorithms and when tuning the system.
  • Reports are pivotal when demonstrating building performance against sustainability targets such as NABERS.
  • Equipment alarm and fault notification, reducesdowntime and consequential impact
  1. Interaction With all Other Building Systems

Following are the major levels in IBMS 

  1. Field Level – This is the first level and one of the most critical aspects of IBMS. The field level includes equipment like sensors, actuators, valves, thermostats. These provide the IBMS system necessary data which determines the actions taken by the IBMS system.
  2. Automation Level – This level involves the use of compact modules with programmable PLC, relays, DDC panels, etc. it takes the input from the field devices and maintains the occupant comfort as per set points.
  3. Management Level – Here the working of all the major equipment is represented in a graphical format. It displays all the information taken from the field level. This level is used to control and monitor the equipment performance and identify issues for resolution from a single room through PCs or HMIs

IBMS Levels :

The field devices are hardwired to the DDC panel, the DDC panels which include the PLC are connected to the BACnet ethernet cable. The automation levels are connected to IBMS levels via the BACnet IP protocol.

Communication Protocols used in IBMS till now.

  1. BACnet– stands for Building Automation Control network. It is developed by ASHRAE. The main objective was to achieve interoperability between building systems from different manufacturers.
  2. Lonworks– Created by Echelon Corp in 1988, Lonworks or Local Operating Networkworksis the 2ndmost widely used protocol. It is designed to work on low bandwidth, for networking devices through power lines, fiber optics, and other media.
  3. Modbus-Modbus is a serial communication protocol developed by Modicon in 1979 for use with its programmable logic controllers (PLCs). In simple terms, it is a method used for transmitting information over serial lines between electronic devices. The device requesting the information is called the Modbus Master and the devices supplying information are Modbus Slaves.

Advantages of IBMS

  1. Simple user interface- it provides a simple interface with all the operating values and inner components which makes it easier to control and monitor equipment from one place.
  2. Alarm management – it provides minor and major alarms for HVAC equipment’s, smoke detection, lighting which helps in identifying the device wanting repair or replacement.
  3. Timely scheduling- we can schedule the operation of equipment to run for a particular time based on the human occupancy in a particular area.
  4. Energy Efficient operation of Assets
  5. Remote Energy Monitoring and Energy Management Services across an enterprise portfolio.
  6. Reducing operating expenditure
  7. Continuous Performance improvements of systems.