Role of BMS components and how they work together to manage a building

The components of a building management system (BMS) work together to manage a building as follows:

1. Sensors

Sensors are devices used to measure various conditions within a building, such as temperature, humidity, light levels, occupancy, and air quality. Sensors are connected to the BMS and transmit real-time data to the control panel.

2. Actuators

Actuators are devices used to control various assets & equipment within a building, such as HVAC, lighting, and power. Actuators are connected to the BMS and can be controlled by the control panel in real time based on the data collected by the sensors.

3. Control panel

The control panel is the central hub of the BMS. It’s typically a computer or a group of computers connected to the sensors and actuators. They use pre-programmed rules and setpoints to adjust the operation of the building’s systems.

The control panel receives data from the sensors and uses this data to determine the appropriate actions to take, such as adjusting the temperature of a room, switching lights, etc.

4. Communication network

The communication network is the infrastructure that connects the various components of the BMS, such as the sensors, actuators, and control panel. The communication network transmits data between these components, allowing the control panel to receive data from the sensors and control the actuators.

5. User interface

The user interface is the interactive interface the facility manager uses to access and control the BMS. It can be a physical control panel, a web-based interface, or a mobile app. It allows the facility manager to monitor the status of the building’s systems and adjust the operation of the systems as needed.

Together, these components work to monitor and control the various assets within a building, such as the HVAC, lighting, and power systems, in order to optimize energy efficiency, comfort, and safety.

Designing a building management system

Designing a building management system (BMS) involves creating a system that monitors and controls the various assets & equipment within a building, such as HVAC, lighting, refrigeration, power systems, etc. in order to optimize energy efficiency, assets, occupant comfort, and safety.

The design of a BMS is driven by the goals and objectives of the system and should take into account the type & size of the building, the assets present in the building, the needs & preferences of the occupants, and the budget for the system.

Let’s explore the factors that should be considered, and the steps involved in designing a BMS.

Factors to consider when designing a BMS

Several factors should be considered when designing a building management system (BMS). Such as:

1. Goals and objectives

The first and most important factor to consider is the goals & objectives you want to achieve by implementing a BMS. These goals & objectives should drive the design of the system and should be used to determine the type of BMS, the components that are needed, and the control algorithms that will be used.

2. Building type and size

The type and size of the building should be taken into account when designing a BMS. A small retail will have different needs than a large hotel, and the BMS should be designed accordingly.

3. Building assets & equipment

The systems that are present in the building, such as the HVAC, lighting, refrigeration systems, power systems, etc. should be taken into account when designing a BMS. The BMS should be able to monitor and control these systems in order to achieve the set goals & objectives.

4. Occupant needs

The needs & preferences of the building occupants should be considered when designing a BMS. For instance, if the occupants are concerned about food safety, the BMS should have the functionality to optimize refrigeration equipment in a way that maintains the food safety compliances at all times.

5. Budget

The budget is also a major factor when designing the system. It’s important to choose components that are cost-effective. And also, prioritize the features and functionality that are most important for achieving the set goals & objectives of the BMS.

6. Scalability

The BMS should be designed to be scalable so that it can be modified as the needs of the building evolve over time. This might include the ability to add new sensors, actuators, or other components or to integrate with other systems or devices.

Steps involved in designing a BMS

Designing a building management system (BMS) involves the following steps:

1. Identify the goals & objectives of the

BMS

The first step in designing a BMS is to identify the goals and objectives of the system. These goals usually include reducing energy consumption, improving occupant comfort, increasing building efficiency, enhancing security, etc.

2. Conduct a building assessment

The next step is to thoroughly assess the building to determine its current systems and conditions. This assessment might include evaluating the HVAC, lighting, power, and other systems.

3. Determine the type of BMS

Based on the goals & objectives of the BMS and the results of the building assessment, the next step is to determine the type of BMS best suited for the building. This might include a standalone BMS, an integrated BMS, or an IoT-based BMS (Cloud-based BMS).

4. Select the components

Based on the type of BMS, the next step is to select the sensors, actuators, control panel, communication network, and user interface that will be used to monitor and control building assets. It’s important to choose components that are compatible with each other, and that meet the needs of the building.

An IoT-based BMS is compatible with all assets & equipment of any technological era. It’s one of the reasons why IoT-based BMS is the most versatile & successful type of BMS.

5. Develop the control algorithms

The control algorithms are the rules and setpoints that the BMS uses to adjust the operation of the building systems. The control algorithms should be developed based on the goals and objectives of the BMS and should be tested and validated to ensure that they are effective.

6. Install and commission the BMS

The final step is to install and commission the BMS. This includes installing the sensors, actuators, gateway and other components of the system and then configuring the control panel & user interface. The

BMS should be tested and calibrated to ensure that everything is functioning correctly.

Implementing a building management system

The implementation of a BMS requires careful planning and execution, as it involves installing and configuring hardware & software then integrating the BMS with the building’s assets & equipment.