Issue 28
May
2014
Smart Building
Overview Overcoming challenges
High performance buildings today are complex structures with The challenges faced by facility management are, for the most part,
sophisticated controls to manage lighting, heating, ventilation, air- same as business world challenged with doing more with less.
conditioning, computers, fire alarm, security, elevators and other
special systems. At a minimum a smart building is expected provide 1. Organizational skill set analysis: Since smart building solutions
occupant comfort, safety and security at the lowest operational cost involve an investment in technology before an investment is
and minimal environmental impact by integrating all building systems made, existing staff skill sets should be evaluated. Based on this
by effective use of information technology. evaluation, training requirements, missing skill sets, or
necessary realignment of organizational structure should be
A smartly designed building enhances the performance of the building formulated to capitalize on the technological investment.
and ease of operation over its life-cycle. Some other aspects of Smart
buildings are data analysis, open protocols, flexibility of use, 2. Work process documentation: Facility management work
adaptability to changing requirements, enhanced user experience, processes as they relate to key goals and objectives should be
fault detection, diagnostics, energy efficiency and sustainable documented. Automating or optimizing these work processes
operations. The primary goal for a higher performing building is to provides the best opportunities to reap the benefits of smart
minimize the long-term costs of facility ownership to owners, building solutions.
occupants and the environment. For a smart building to be operated 3. Building systems evaluation: Correctly selected, sized, and
optimally, choosing the right engineering design solution, software, implemented building systems are critical in terms of energy
knowledge of all systems, training and capabilities of building efficiency and operational efficiency.
operators are essential.
4. Technology evaluation: Technological evaluation of existing
Challenges in existing buildings systems can reveal easy opportunities for improvements in
operations and energy management. Existing technology
Though Building Automation System (BAS) in many buildings have evaluation should also include determination of
moved on from pneumatic systems to direct digital controls instrumentation required for performance measurement.
technology, building management improvements have not kept up Having the right data set allows for optimal use of energy
with the technology due to various reasons. management tools and fault detection and diagnostic-type
• It is not uncommon to find multiple BAS systems in one campus. solutions.
Furthermore functionality of the BAS is not configured to meet 5. Use case development: When selecting systems for integration,
building operational needs. Similar buildings may have different automation of work process should be considered paramount.
systems and different operational sequences. If more processes integration can be automated, the payback
• Many building systems in existing buildings such as building will be faster.
automation, security, fire alarm, power management, elevators, 6. Business case development: Economic value should be
and lighting systems are disparate; whereas facility management determined by evaluating net savings, savings-to-investment
systems typically include work order management, preventive ratio, internal rate of return, net present value, and lowest life
maintenance and utility analysis. Most of these existing systems cycle cost.
are in standalone mode and have proprietary software systems.
7. Specifications development and implementation: Once
Challenges in new construction buildings objectives, goals, and requirements are assessed, a detailed set
of specifications can be developed and implemented.
To meet requirements of stringent energy codes and mandates, design
engineers plan for complex operational strategies. In many cases, Business world solutions can be applied to solve facility management
buildings designed to meet high ratings were found to have higher solutions. These solutions can be applied to both new and existing
energy consumption. Some of the reasons are; buildings. Systems integration and data analysis can help facilities be
more operationally and energy efficient. Return on investment for
• Operational challenges: Many systems are set in over-ride mode smart building solutions is getting increasingly attractive and will
not following design intent due to inadequate training provided to become more so as efficiencies of scale emerge in the era of big data.
the operators.
Reference:
• Limited performance measurements and controls; Many design 1. http://www.csemag.com/single-article/smart-building-
projects only include minimum instrumentation which results in
integration/e7c6fe5e5c3ecc35fe6992cb0871b442.html
not being able to isolate problems. 2. http://www.institutebe.com/smart-grid-smart-
building/What-is-a-Smart-Building.aspx
