What Is A Building Automation System And How Does It Work?

june 28, 2023 by david edwards leave a comment

an operator can access, manage, and keep an eye on all connected building systems from a single interface thanks to a building automation system (bas).

using networked electronic devices and bas technology, you can gain centralized control over the systems in your building. in the past, extensive manual labor was needed to adjust the hvac, lighting, power, and access control systems.

in addition to integrating these formerly separate systems, new building automation solutions also give you visibility and control over them from a single point of view. making decisions in this way is more efficient and time-saving.

a building automation system (bas), (also referred to as a building management system or a building control system), is a system that controls various electric, electronic and mechanical systems throughout a building.

it is a distributed control system that unites various building system types into a single, central location. building automation systems are primarily used to control the hvac (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems in a building, but they are also used to control the lighting, security, and other systems in the building.

bas functions as a computer networking system that monitors and manages a variety of other mechanical and electronic systems. it gives these various systems a way to communicate with each other across platforms, programs, and languages.

the majority of building automation systems (bas) use a controller and user interface to connect input and output devices. in order to collect, process, and modify information, these elements all work together.

most bas have five main components:

• input devices (sensors): measure data (like co2 in air and humidity)
• gateway controllers: the system's“brain” decides how to respond to that data
• output devices (actuators): carry out the controller's programmed responses
• communications protocols: a language for the parts to“talk” to each other
• user interfaces (ui): screens and dashboards to review building data reports

input devices detect measurements like room temperature and whether equipment's powered on. these measurements are adjusted by output devices, which might lower the temperature or turn off machinery.

the smart hub controller gateway manages all the devices in a building's primary systems, so it processes data from the input devices and sends any necessary changes to the output devices.

these components have a shared language, or communications protocol, such as bacnet. the output devices carry out the controller's commands according to programmed responses. for example, automatically increasing ventilation when co2 is too high. finally, the user interface displays data visually.

this might be a web-based tool or even a computer. however, the user interface is not required to execute the controls; it only needs to serve as a central hub for all readouts generated by the input devices.

though it sounds difficult, it's really not.

when you want to change a setting, for instance, your interface sends a signal to the specific system controls through the output devices and makes the change. depending on the requirements of your building, the building automation system (bas) may connect to the internet or may only be internally connected.

have a sizable campus with many buildings or a large portfolio of buildings in various cities? you can gain centralized control over them by connecting a bas to the internet.

iot connectivity is very similar for industrial building automation systems (bas). think of a light switch. it is widespread, reasonably effective, and controlled by those utilizing a space. however, it only needs to be on when a person is actually in the area, so they might forget to turn off the light when they leave.

the building's lighting system can be connected to motion sensors that have been installed. the lights turn on when a worker walks in. the lights go out as soon as they depart.

integrating the internet of things (iot) with building automation systems (basis energy services) enables more seamless and more efficient management of building systems.

this integration can optimize energy consumption and increase occupant comfort. by creating a unified network of devices and systems, building managers can optimize a building's performance and respond quickly to any issues that may arise, even remotely.

making simple objects into smart ones can ease the burden on vital building systems that aren't quite as important when people aren't around. your facilities management team has a lot of data to track because there are numerous systems operating concurrently, some of which are connected. this is especially true if you are managing multiple buildings and lack the resources to handle everything on-site and personally.

platforms for building automation must be supported by an automation controller or gateway. any internet of things (iot) device is permitted to connect to other iot devices and applications in order to transfer data using standard internet protocols.

dusun iot provides smart iot gateways that support various conventional protocols (bluetooth, lorawan, zigbee, z-wave, etc.) for building automation. with these smart gateways as the core, dusun iot provides a complete set of customized iot smart building hardware solutions for building automation.

iot system security may have raised some concerns in the past. since internet of things (iot) devices are connected to the internet, they could be compromised, just like many other connected systems that we use every day.

the only thing that needs to be done is to approach iot for your building with a security-first mindset. it is frequently enough to reduce these risks to carefully select your devices and to train your staff on how to use tech security best practices, but each operation is obviously different in terms of context, sensitivity, and susceptibility.

always do your research and connect with expert mechanical contractors who can help walk you through what suits your scenario.

iot enables the integration of various systems and devices to create a seamless network that can be monitored and controlled remotely. let's look at a few applications:

iot can process this energy usage data and use it as insights and recommendations for better energy optimization. in addition, smart energy solutions allow energy benchmarking to assess the energy consumption of various building assets, equipment and machinery.

energy benchmarking makes it easy to identify inefficient equipment, make decisions about potential improvements, and make informed long-term energy management decisions.

with a better understanding of possible improvements, one can integrate best energy management practices into daily operations and achieve greater energy efficiency by eliminating potential energy waste.

similarly, sensors detect temperature and humidity and occupancy levels so that hvac systems work optimally to maximize occupant comfort and energy efficiency. for example, the system can adjust the hvac settings based on the current environment, occupancy levels, and time of day to optimize energy use.

iot sensors and smart devices can be used to optimize hvac settings, improve occupant comfort and reduce energy consumption. sensors detect air quality, carbon dioxide, temperature and humidity levels, enabling the system to adjust hvac settings accordingly. smart devices such as smart thermostats can remotely control hvac systems.

lighting settings can be optimized using iot-driven building automation systems to improve energy efficiency and occupant comfort. sensors detect occupancy, and adjust lighting levels as needed. in addition, it is now possible to reduce the energy waste of equipment running outside of working hours by intelligently scheduling lighting systems based on operating time, and automating manual operations.

iot-driven building automation systems can be used to detect potential problems in building equipment and systems, enabling building managers to schedule maintenance before equipment fails completely.

for example, sensors can detect vibrations or changes in temperature, indicating that equipment may be malfunctioning. this enables building managers to schedule maintenance before equipment fails, thereby reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

the majority of large buildings in the u.s. as of 2014 were. (buildings that are larger than 100,000 square feet) are controlled by building automation systems (bas) have shown in studies to have a variety of energy savings over the last ten years.

no energy savings up to a 30%+ reduction are possible within this range. with older buildings or buildings that have not been well maintained, it is estimated that the savings are even greater.

there are numerous advantages to a functional building automation system. some of these benefits are as follows:

• a comprehensive bas reduces the chance of human error by controlling multiple systems (such as ventilation, security, and fire and flood safety) simultaneously.
• different systems' performance can be tracked by a bas system.
• when mechanical or electronic failures take place, a building automation system can offer fail-safe mechanisms to go online. this is crucial in hazardous, high-risk workplaces.
• it can increase a building's other systems' effectiveness.
• a system for managing energy can cut down on energy use, which in turn lowers operating costs for all of the systems involved.
• in order to get more value for your money and have fewer repairs to make, it can lengthen the lifespan of various utilities.
• a bas can offer occupants a constant level of comfort.
• lockouts, which prevent equipment from turning on unless it is supposed to, can be managed by a building automation system.
• it is able to perform diagnostics to track variables like temperature, pressure, and flow. over various systems.
• redundancy that can develop when too much of a building's automation overlaps is eliminated by a bas with good integration.

it's possible that you were unaware of how many systems the bas controls. the following are some systems that are controlled by bas:

• hvac. bas controls the hvac systems that use the least amount of energy. this is the method by which a building's electronic and mechanical systems are integrated with bas the most frequently.
• lighting. based on the actual occupancy, bas can control the lighting in a space. additionally, it can control lighting according to daytime versus nighttime hours.
• security system. when security systems are activated and when they are not can be managed by bas. they have control over keyless entry, remote access, passcodes, and video surveillance.
• air purification and ventilation systems. bas regulates ventilation and air purification, especially in structures where these functions are absolutely necessary and, as such, shouldn't be subject to human decision-making or control.
• air handlers. in certain industries, such as in oil refineries, chemical plants, or nuclear power plants, bas is required for maintaining the air handlers. mechanized air handlers have the necessary safeguards and double reinforcement to guarantee the security of the personnel and the local populace.
• systems for sanitizing and sterilizing. for sterilizing units to operate properly, a building automation system is required. such systems are used for a lot of work that needs to be automated.
• environment that is sustained. bas is necessary for sustained environments to operate consistently. the requirements frequently center on the ongoing observation of an animal's or human's vital signs. in these situations, it is best to have an environment management process that is entirely automated.

building automation systems are intended to operate quietly in the background. they are not effectively performing their duties if you notice them. nevertheless, business executives frequently lose sight of their own importance. so how can building automation systems be of service to you?

for facility managers : regardless of the type of facility, bas can simplify operations. facility managers could benefit from using a system like this to better manage energy waste and inefficiencies.

building automation has many benefits for business owners, including reduced energy costs, longer equipment lifespans (such as those for hvac systems and other building systems), and improved occupant comfort.

for hospital chief executive officers or chief operating officers : a thorough, functional, and current bas is critical. a hospital may consist of a single structure or a sprawling collection of structures, all of which need to function effectively at all times.

other necessities that are equally important include ventilation, sterilizing systems, automated sanitation procedures, and/or air purification. hvac and lighting are two examples of common necessities. for a hospital to operate at its best, it needs all of these different kinds of automation.

for property managers and building owners : one dashboard with direct access to all other automated systems can be made available by a complex building automation system. this will allow you to control the lighting, hvac, elevators, security and so on from one place.

iot-driven automation is transforming the building automation industry by increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and improving residential comfort. the benefits of iot in building automation include increased energy efficiency, enhanced building security, remote access and control, and reduced costs.

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