COMPONENTS TO A BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEM

Building automation most broadly refers to creating centralized, networked systems of hardware and
software monitors and controls a building’s facility systems (electricity, lighting, plumbing, HVAC,
water supply, etc.)

When facilities are monitored and controlled in a seamless fashion, this creates a much more
reliable working environment for the building’s tenants. Furthermore, the efficiency introduced
through automation allows the building’s facility management team to adopt more sustainable
practices and reduce energy costs.

Basic BAS have five essential components:

 Sensors — Devices that measure values such as CO2 output, temperature, humidity, daylight or even room
occupancy.
 Controllers — These are the brains of the systems. Controllers take data from the collectors and decide
how the system will respond.
 Output devices — These carry out the commands from the controller. Example devices are relays and
actuators.
 Communications protocols — Think of these as the language spoken among the components of the BAS.
A popular example of a communications protocol is BAC net.
 Dashboard or user interface — These are the screens or interfaces humans use to interact with the BAS.
The dashboard is where building data are reported.
 HVAC' refers to Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning, which can be used in buildings to:
 Maintain internal air quality.
 Regulate internal temperatures.
 Regulate internal humidity.

 Internal air quality can be maintained by a combination of introducing 'fresh' air into the building,
extracting 'stale air' and by filtration. Ventilation may be natural, mechanical, or mixed mode (a
hybrid system). See ventilation form more information.
 Internal temperatures can be regulated by heating and cooling. Typically this is achieved by heated
water (or sometimes steam) and chilled water that is generated by boilers and chillers and then used
in heating coils and cooling coils as part of the ventilation system. Alternatively hot water may be
used to supply radiators.
 Humidity can be regulated by ventilation, dehumidification and humidification. Dehumidification is
often provided alongside cooling as cooling air reduces the amount of moisture it is able to 'hold',
resulting in condensation and so dehumidification. 'Close'humidity control (to within 10%) can
involve cooling and dehumidification, then re-heating and re-humidification.

Electrical lighting controls are appropriate for a wide variety of spaces, from restrooms to large open
offices, from conference rooms to classrooms. They can be incorporated with daylighting to provide
flexibility, energy savings, and ecological benefits. Although lighting controls are still most commonly
used in commercial buildings, they are also increasingly being used in residential applications.
Lighting controls will help reduce energy by:
 Reducing the amount of power used during the peak demand period by automatically dimming lights or
turning them off when they are not needed
 Reducing the number of hours per year that the lights are on
 Reducing internal heat gains by cutting down lighting use, which allows for reduced HVAC system size
and a reduction in the building's cooling needs
 Allowing occupants to use controls to lower light levels and save energy

Thermal comfort in buildings

Thermal comfort results from a combination of environmental factors and personal factors:
Environmental factors:
 Air temperature. The temperature of the air that a person is in contact with, measured by thedry bulb
temperature (DBT).
 Air velocity. The velocity of the air that a person is in contact with (measured in m/s). The faster the
air is moving, the greater the exchange of heat between the person and the air (for example, draughts
generally make us feel colder).
Personal factors:
 Metabolic heat. The heat we produce through physical activity. A stationary person will tend to feel
cooler than a person that is exercising.
 Well being generally and sickness, such as the common cold or flu which affect our ability to maintain
body temperature, 37C at the core.

Controlling thermal comfort

Thermal comfort can be controlled or adjusted by a number of different measures:
 Adapting or changing clothing. Businesses can allow people to wear different clothing depending on
conditions. They can also provide things like cloak rooms or lockers so that people can change clothes
 or take off and put down coats. The golden rule is layering, generally 3 layers, and use zips and
buttons to regulate temperature.
 Allowing flexible working hours, or changing start and finish times.
 Adjusting tasks. For example, allowing breaks or reducing the length of time people are exposed to
particular conditions.
 Providing information telling people what sort of conditions to expect so that they can dress and
behave appropriately.
 Providing or allowing personal equipment such as desk fans.
 Separating people from sources of discomfort.
 Providing protective clothing (PPE Personal Protective Equipment).

Designing for Thermal Comfort

The focus for designers when designing with thermal comfort in mind should be on HVAC or radiant
cooling system design that can achieve the dual purpose of sustainable energy efficiency and a balanced
thermal environment. According to an excerpt from the Requirements for Building Thermal Conditions,
“the object of energy conservation is to use the minimal amount of energy necessary to perform the
required work in a safe and efficient manner,” and not, to paraphrase, to freeze in the dark.
With the complexities of achieving both thermal comfort and energy efficiency in sustainable building
design, it may just be a hybrid solution that is best able meet both of those important demands.