The Technology of Intelligent Building Management Systems - Term Paper Example

Intelligent Building Management systems Name: Institution: Date: Technology of Intelligent Building Management systems Introduction The 21st century has seen the development of the intelligent building making it very popular due to its potential for deploying design initiatives as well as emerging technologies. Although my buildings have been labeled as intelligent, the real intelligence is yet to be delivered in buildings. In the past 20 years, intelligent buildings have been existing in form of conceptual framework for the representation of future buildings. Today, several buildings meet the criteria to be labeled intelligent and represent the real intelligence (Schneider Electric, 2013). To augment the technology, influential policies have been enacted to facilitate design and development of future buildings. Intelligent building management systems make the occupants of buildings comfortable and live in well - being with sustainable designs. The goal of the intelligent building systems is therefore to make the owners and occupants of buildings comfortable and sustainable. Various scholars have defined the technology differently but the definitions revolve around developing a technology that makes the life in a building suitable comfortable and in line with the expectations, demands, and technology of the 21st century. Several key performance indicators have been suggested in regard to the essence of the existence of intelligent buildings. In developing the intelligent building management system, the managers must ensure that security is maintained to ensure that the building is safe from cyber -attacks and from getting outdated in the near future. Hence, mitigation and risks resolution plans and measures must be put in place whenever an intelligent building management system is developed and implemented in a building. The buildings located in towns are highly expected to be intelligent to address the high demand of intelligence in the region. This study aims at introducing the technology of intelligent building management systems and list as well as critically discuss the security managers’ considerations of intelligent building management systems. Intelligent Building Management systems Buildings in the modern times highly rely on several but different systems to be able to operate effectively (Ghaffarianhoseini, et al., 2015). A good example is that if a commercial building which would require proper fitting of facilities and systems such as security controls, air conditioning, heating, lighting, and electrification to power the lifts and other machinery within the building. It can become challenging to streamline the use of all these facilities since the systems are different and sometimes make use of incompatible software that makes it impossible to introduce sophisticated automation within the entire buildings (Schneider Electric, 2013). This is, however, possible with the use of an intelligent building management system which integrates all the systems together. Although there has been no standard definition of an intelligent building, various attempts have arisen. An intelligent building management system is a technology that utilizes an open – platform software to bring all the systems within a building together into a single but integrated database. Simply put, an IBMS is a technology that integrates disparate systems by the centralized interface, provide significant benefits to all, uses technology and strategies for sustainability, is a shared network, allows free flow of information and maximizes performance and efficiency by integration (Madsen, 2008). Intelligent building management system is hence an information system that monitors, integrates and controls all building plant and equipment such as security, elevators, fire and life safety systems, power and other utilities, lighting and HVAC. The technology makes it possible to monitor any system such as the overall energy of the building, in an accurate and close way hence identifying and eliminating any unnecessary use. This is completely different with the traditional buildings which used regular building management systems that utilized a single front-end interface where all system information is collated. The regular building management systems work by allowing only a single system to be controlled based on the information from another. A good example is the response triggered by the door access system hence control the lighting system (Schneider Electric, 2013). An intelligent building management system allows the owners of the buildings to address various concerns which include; lower operating costs, increase the satisfaction and loyalty of tenants, reap maximum ROI, maintain modern building’s technology and systems, protect tenants using security methods that are non – intrusive, maintain buildings and adhere to regulations, and reduce consumption of energy and carbon footprint. The working of an IBMS As established above, the core intention of the intelligent building management systems is to improve the control and performance of a building by creating a common platform through which various disparate systems within it to communicate with each other. A system like the lighting and access control and HVAC allows the exchange of information from one device to another although they use different protocols and cannot hence communicate in the absence if further integration. The various protocols used in intelligent building management systems include LonWorks, Modbus, and BACnet. The BACnet is an ISO standard protocol that is widely used in the entire HVAC industry (Schneider Electric, 2013). On the other hand, Modbus is used in energy, transportation, infrastructure sectors and other industrial applications. Developed in the 1970s, the protocol “is an openly published as well as royalty free means if establishing master – slave communication between the intelligent devices” (Schneider Electric, 2013). The other protocol, LonWorks, was created as a networking platform for control applications and as currently being used in about 90 million devices. The systems that are used include the Smart building, Energy Management System (EMS), Intelligent Building (IB), Building Management System (BMS), and Building Automation and Control System (BACS). The networking platform has been used in various industries including utilities, and industrial automation, building, street lighting, building, and transportation. In these industries and systems, the technology of intelligent building management system is used. The three protocols work in tandem to facilitate effective communication. Information is contained in controllers and directed through a gateway or router using the LonWorks, Modbus or BACnet. The gateway or the router converts the information to an open – platform Ethernet or internet protocol. Through a local area network, information originating from all the systems in the building are shared via an effective linkage to the intelligent building management system. The intelligent building management system is further to the graphic interface to allow the user interrogate and navigate the system with the help of a web browser. The graphic interface enables the user to view the analysis, reports, graphics and trends making it possible to perform functions like the management of alarms and updating the lighting schedules. The information is stored in a central place referred to as the cloud. As a result, it becomes possible to access the information using wireless devices such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Managers in the different departments are therefore able to view as well as control the operation of the building. In the intelligent building management system, various managers have different roles to play. For instance, a security manager is responsible for safeguarding assets and people as well as protecting the core functions if a business. Secondly, a facility manager is responsible for the improvement of the performance of a building and making it comfortable for employees. Thirdly, the IT manager is responsible for guaranteeing the availability of critical applications. Fourthly, the production manager is responsible for ensuring that the processes and machines are efficient and productivity is improved and costs optimized. Finally, an electrical manager would be responsible for ensuring that power is available and of good quality. HVAC System HVAC is heat, ventilation, and air conditioning. It is used to treat and handle airflow in facilities so as to provide an environment that is fit for intended purpose. Just like the IBMS, HVAC is also driven by various factors which according to McDowell (2007, p. 3) include the user expectations, economic pressures, computing and networks, medical understanding and technology. The environment in which a human being live is essentially important to their performance and hence output in a business. The FPE environmental is critical to performance and this calls for air prime heat transfer medium and hence most effective to control. Safety is equally important and smoke and heat need venting. The physical factors that should be controlled in an HVAC include the noise, temperature, airborne particles, air quantity, and flow, moisture, and air quality/freshness. The purpose of HVAC is to support life safety, protect processes, ensures a healthy environment, and ensures that the environment is healthy and comfortable. According to Brooks, HVAC ensures that smoke, contaminants, gas and fire are spread so that they do not cause damages. In this way, HVAC ensures the safety of life. Other ways through it ensure safety include permitting smoke control of the system, restrict the spread of smoke and heat, minimize ignition sources, maintain the fire-resistive integrity and minimizes combustible elements (Craighead, 2009). HVAC works properly through several elements. These elements are passive elements, filtration, heat, control system, control elements, air distribution, cool and humidity. The elements ensure that the objective of HVAC is achieved and hence a comfortable and healthy environment created. The design ensures that these elements are well integrated to achieve maximum performance. Essential design criteria used to make HVAC include the operational costs, comfort conditions, building use and occupancy, climate, capital costs, building structure, shape and orientation, and codes and regulations. According to Renewables 2015 Global Status Report (2016, p. 17), about 50% of the total world energy consumption went to providing heat for buildings and industry. It also estimates the renewables generated to be 8% of share. The report also highlights that although HVAC experiences a slow growth, it has a vast potential and is the key for energy transition. In developing HVAC, the developers ensures health is maintained through regular cleaning, control of materials used in the facility, regular checking of air contaminants levels, and correct positioning of air intakes. Factors that Drive use of IBMS There are several factors that drive building owners to start using the intelligent building management systems. The drivers can be environmental or economic and these include the need for safety, reliability, improvement of value, cost reduction, and energy saving. In addition to being drivers, these factors are the benefits that accrue from intelligent building management systems. Saving energy is the goal of any sustainable system and intelligent building management system is one of the technological system works to ensure that the structure saves energy effectively. Buildings emit emissions that account for 30% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions. By 2030, these emissions are expected to be reduced by 74% as predicted by the government advisory body, the Committee on Climate Change. As stated by ABCD (2014, p. 22), the energy consumed in a building account for about 20% of all the energy supplied. Moreover, the half of the total world energy consumption went to heat for buildings and industry. In addition to the power consumed when powering the security controls, computers, machinery and power lifts, the lighting, heating and air conditioning (HVAC) contribute up to 70% of energy consumed in the buildings. This load is significantly reduced by the IBMS. As stated by Renewables 2015 Global Status Report (2016, p. 17) although HVAC is slowly growing, it has vast potential to greatly reduce energy consumption as it is seen as key to energy transition. A good example of IBMS at work is the lighting which can be controlled by use of a timer or zonally and activated automatically by the lux level monitoring or occupancy sensor. Lighting is therefore whenever needed. Another example is the use of the infra – red occupancy sensors which are used to control heating. The second benefit is the reduction of costs. According to Langston & Lauge-Kristensen (2002, p. 76), 50% of a building lifetime costs goes to operations and the greatest benefit that IBMS offers is its operating costs. As seen above, IBMS significantly reduces the cost of energy to good levels. Costs, Roper & Payant (2009) posit that energy accounts for 30% of the operating costs incurred in a building. While the traditional buildings focused on capital cost if buildings, currently, the consideration is on the whole life cost of the building. The growth in energy – saving technologies is at epitome and with energy being the biggest operating expense that can be controlled in a building, owners have to try and cut its cost. This prompt the use of the intelligent building management system to reduce the energy costs through close monitoring and control to meet the room occupancy sensors that can control the heating, telephone and heating systems. The third benefit is that IBMS creates reliability. Depending on geographic location, the power grid varies in quality and continuity. There is the need for an uninterrupted energy supply since businesses are increasingly relying on digital and IT communication. With intelligent building management systems, it becomes possible to do a close monitoring to ensure that variation in energy intensity is eliminated. The fourth benefit is that IBMS creates safety to the occupants of the building. An intelligent building management system allows control and drive of safety features like the supply fans, smoke extraction fans, dampers, and fire doors to a safe state. The fifth benefit is that improvement of value. Intelligent building management system makes the building appear better than before since it appreciates in its value. As a result, the operational costs reduce and the building offers a higher level of comfort for the occupants while the owner enjoys the increased rent. These benefits among others are the drivers that create the curiosity to develop an intelligent building management systems. Other benefits include the elimination of overlapping systems, provision of remote 24 hours control, meeting the compliance needs, provision of trend patterns, reduction of costs and increment of profit, reduction of systems control space, improvement of auditing procedures, greater tenant satisfaction. When designing an intelligent building management system, the designers must ensure that: 1. The building management system has the capability of dealing with an increase of 20% in future in the number of points with no compromise to the functioningy or speed of the system. 2. The availability of the specification details needed for commissioning. 3. Identification of the wiring and components using the consistent numbering system and 4. Accessibility of all sensors, field controllers, and controlled devices and that they can be removed for the purposes of carrying out tests and maintenance in future. Even with the stated benefits of an intelligent building management system, it should be noted that it yields maximum benefits when the system specifications, installations, commissioning and operations are properly otherwise little or no benefit will be achieved. Additionally, there must be regular maintenance depending on the critical control, environment, building location and manufacturer to ensure that the system is continuously monitored effectively (Schneider Electric, 2013). Standards and Regulations that Govern IBMS Use The use of IBMS designs and installation is governed by a number of regulations and standards. These include the following; 1. The building regulations 2012, in part L defines and gives the practical guidance regarding to energy efficiency requirement and compliance. 2. There is also a regulation on health and this is he Health and safety Executive guidance which defines the safety and health while at work. The CDM regulations 2007 has a regulation on Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 which gives specifications on quality of power and requirements for the supply continuity which ensures there is efficient and economic supply service for the clients. The metering of energy in a building is also regulated through the TM39 guidelines which ensures that the best practice are ensured in the design attained. 3. There is also regulations and standards on ventilation, air conditioning and lighting. These are guided by AS/NZS 1668:1998/ 1-2002: which are contained in guide B of the regulation. 4. The AS3666.1 - 2002: is on Air-handling & water systems of buildings. It ensures that the growth of Microbial is controlled in design, installation & commissioning of the building. 5. The AS3666.2 – 2002 standard defines the Air-handling & water systems regulations of a buildings Security managers’ considerations of IBMs. Security of an intelligent building management systems is fundamental for any organization right from design, installation, and operation of a system’s lifecycle. Although a relatively new concern for several organizations, intelligent building management system security is not something they can work without, otherwise they expose themselves to unseen dangers (Schneier, 2011). Despite this laxity on the adoption of the intelligent building management systems security, the concept is growing in magnitude with a various number of systems being used in buildings to enable monitoring and control. The various problems and challenges experienced in today’s buildings and by the building owners can suitably be solved and mitigated using the intelligent building management systems security measures. The culmination of the solutions is achieved by integration of IT infrastructure, the internet in developing the intelligent building management systems. With the intelligent building management systems, it becomes possible to control and integrate building systems into a unified whole over an IP network. The intelligent building management systems are also using the web/cloud – based technology to build an effective building system. The security managers should consider a number of factors when developing an Intelligent Building Management system. Putting the factors such as security, technology, and workplace evolution among others is vital for the survival of the building and for its effective functioning. One of the factors that security managers need to put into consideration is the technology demands. Smart technology that makes use of the internet, high-speed data, visitor management, digital signage, voice communications, wireless, audio and video conferencing, VPN, and interactive media among others makes the building. The security managers should ensure that the technology is seamless and is updated continuously to ensure that it deliver effectively and as expected. The Intelligent Building Management systems should be in a position to provide an integrated solution that supports all the emerging technology. Intelligent Building Management systems are one that allows the owner to upgrade the devices to enable the system work with other existing systems. The second factor for consideration is the safety of life for the occupants of the building. The house should be fitted with facilities that will enable the occupants to respond to security issues arising within the house. Such facility includes the fire – fighter intercom, telephones, electric bells, fire service facilities, emergency power operation, fire recall facilities and EWIS (Schneider Electric, 2013). The security manager needs to consider fitting various areas of the building such as lifts with the said facilities to ensure safety. Additionally, consideration of the safety regulations and standards that guide the construction of buildings is essential in order to build a structure that is within the set guidelines and recommendations. The third consideration is the health consideration which is very vital for the existence of a human being. In intelligent building management systems, there has to be management and maintenance program to ensure that health is maintained. As a result, the air intakes should be positioned correctly to ensure that people do not suffocate for lack of free air circulation. While positioning is important, the number of the air inlets must be adequate for enough air supply within the building. Furthermore, the air contaminant levels should be checked regularly so that they do not accumulate to harmful levels. The building, cooling filters and the towers should be cleaned regularly and materials used in the facility controlled. The fourth consideration is the risks that come with advancement in technology (Schneider Electric, 2013). The intelligent building is vulnerable to risks since it is exposed to threats due to its criticality of operations. The hardware, network, and software are all exposed since risks are contextual and aligned with the building, it is critical to put them into consideration by looking for measures to ensure safety. The attacks can be made at the attack points which include the automation, service, field device, and management points. The management can be attacked at various points such as network access, workstation physical and access and power. At the automation access point, vulnerabilities are found at the memory power, and during physical access, network access, device replacement, i/o override, field programming and embedded function. Network is also vulnerable. The LonWorks can be intruded at points where there is unprotected data transmission in instances where wireless technology is used. Other considerations include the commissioning and hand – over, characteristics and selection of the system, required network protocol, detailed requirement definition and load system calculations, characteristics of fuels and their storage requirements and characteristics of a selection of system components. References ABCB. (2014). NCC Volume One Energy Efficiency Provisions (2nded.). ABCD. (2015). NCC Volume Two Energy Efficiency Provisions. Interesting Readings: Australian Building Codes Board, (2013) Lifts used during Evacuation Handbook. Canberra: ABCB. IESNA. (2003). Guideline for security lighting for people, property and public space IESNA G-1-03. New York: Author. McDowall, (2007). Fundamentals of HVAC Systems. Waltham, MA: ButterworthHeinemann. http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.ecu.edu.au/science/book/9780123739988 REN12-GSR2015. (2015). Renewables 2015 Global Status Report Smith & Brooks, (2013). Security Science: The Theory and Practice of Security. Waltham, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann. Schneider Electric, (2013, June 21 ). CPD 13: Intelligent Building Management Systems. Retrieved from building.co.uk: http://www.building.co.uk/cpd-13-intelligent-building-management-systems/5056654.article Ghaffarianhoseini, A., Berardi, U., AlWaer, H., Chang, S., Halawa, E., Ghaffarianhoseini, A., & Croome, D. C. (2015). What is an intelligent building? Analysis of recent interpretations from an international perspective. Journal Architectural Science Review, 338-357. Schneier, B. (2011). Best Practices for Securing an Intelligent Building Management System. Schneider Electric Buildings BU, 1-16. Read More