Your Building Automation System (BAS) can do so much more than just control your HVAC equipment. The following are a few of the most valuable ways you can integrate your BAS and other smart building systems. While each may require its own front-end software for advanced functions, these integrations of critical data have proven to help building owners realize increased operational and energy efficiencies.
BAS to Power Monitoring: Commercial facilities are full of sensitive electronic equipment that’s critical from an operational point of view. These systems and associated power distribution are capable of producing very high utility costs if not managed appropriately. Protecting this costly equipment from the effects of transients is a common-sense requirement. So is monitoring overall power consumption to maintain building efficiencies and flag anomalies. Integration to electrical systems include but are not limited to Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS), electrical distribution metering and monitoring, Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), Power Factor, and Transient Surge Suppression.
BAS to Energy Dashboards: Relevant information can change behavior. That makes empowering people with information through dashboards a key advantage of the BAS. You can provide dashboard views based on job function – from executive decision makers to your energy manager and clients. Use dashboards to conduct energy savings contests between buildings on a campus. Incorporate the display into an energy curriculum. Even put a prominent display in your lobby to advertise the forward thinking and energy-conscious nature of your business. Most all of the data needed to display on an energy dashboard are available in the BAS.
BAS to Analytics: Building Analytics is an enterprise level platform. The BAS provides a centralized depository of data to run building analytics against expected operations. The analytics platform gives operators the opportunity to identify and diagnose energy waste, occupant comfort and maintenance issues. The diagnostic engine automatically creates a list of the top operational problems in the building based on cost, energy, or comfort. Then it cuts through the mass of data and nuisance alarms that typically plague BAS systems to boil down the most relevant and critical information.
BAS to Lighting Control System (LCS): Integration to LCS is valuable for zone-level control as well as global control and energy management routines throughout the facility or group of buildings. Locally, integration to occupancy sensors not only enables lights in the space but also adjusts temperatures and ventilation to occupied levels. Globally, it lets you synchronize building occupancy schedules so lighting and temperature/ventilation control follow the same hours set from a single user interface. This allows for operational and energy savings, as well as a smarter and more comfortable environment for occupants.
BAS to Security – Door Access Control and Video Monitoring System (VMS): Integrating to security systems allows for single seat (single interface) monitoring that displays high level, critical data from these different systems. Benefits include:
- Reduced time checking between systems and more timely response to security emergencies and HVAC issues
- Door status, surveillance video, and temp/RH on same floor plan graphic
- Synchronized building schedules for access and temperature/ventilation
- Access control to enable lights and temp/ventilation in zones specific to the individual entering the building
- Door status/alarms to trigger surveillance functions (Pan/Tilt/Zoom camera, record, etc.)
- All critical alarms from all systems on one summary screen
- Integrated video for live feed of HVAC equipment with overlaid data
- Integrated video for remote viewing of hazardous areas (transformer vault / power monitoring)
BAS to Fire Alarm System (FAS) and Smoke Control: This is critical as it results in automatic shutdown of equipment based on smoke detector status in the duct – and shuts off outside air intake, which could fuel a fire. Smoke purge controls are also critical as they not only help to shut off outside air, but also use exhaust air systems to purge smoke from the building to facilitate occupant evacuation and mitigate building damage.