With designing buildings, comes integrating services, both mechanical and electrical. These services, until now, could be managed manually, with round-the-clock monitoring by people.
However, with the development of modern technology and the evolution of large-scale buildings like skyscrapers, it has become a challenge to monitor the services manually.
This is where BMS comes into the picture. Building Management Systems (BMS) are computer-based control systems that aid in managing and monitoring services in a building such as air conditioning, elevators, HVAC, and much more.
BMS can be used to manage and monitor the following services:
BMS is used in HVAC to control and manage:
Occupancy sensors help detect the users and control and provide the necessary thermal comfort based on this data.
The Edge in Amsterdam has integrated technology on a personalized level. The users, with the help of a mobile application, can find a workspace for themselves based on their preferences, and adjust the temperature to suit their comfort.
BMS is integrated into lighting and manages:
A corporate office, adjacent to the transport hub of the city, has maximized its efficiency through the use of BMS technology. Similar to The Edge in Amsterdam, users can control the lighting at the workspace using a mobile app.
Firefighting systems require BMS to control and manage the following:
A building known for its sustainable initiatives, Crystal in London uses BMS to monitor fire alarms and evacuation systems in its buildings apart from its implementation for energy management, water management, and much more.
The acoustics of any space needs to be pleasant and BMS is used to:
Plumbing systems require BMS to control the following:
The ITC Green Centre in Gurgaon has been designed to become one of the most sustainable buildings in the world, with a LEED certification under its belt. The building uses BMS to monitor stormwater management and water discharge to have zero water discharge.
BMS is used in the management of electricity to manage:
The Bahrain World Trade Center is the first building in the world to have wind turbines incorporated into itself, producing a renewable source of energy. The shape of the building is such that wind is directed towards the turbine, in spite of the changing wind direction. BMS is used to monitor wind turbines and power generation.
Dynamic facades are used for shading, solar power generation, control of ventilation, etc. BMS is integrated with dynamic facades to control the movement of the elements of the facade based on solar paths, wind direction, and the other factors that play a role in the functioning of facade elements.
The Al Bahr Towers in Dubai have an envelope of dynamic facades. The facade is composed of triangular units that unfold and close based on the sun's movement. BMS monitors the functioning of the individual units and ensures positive responses in accordance with the parameters.
BMS has grown in popularity over the years, and will soon become necessary in building planning. It reduces the operational expenditure of maintaining a building and makes the functioning of the building more efficient.
