What is a building management system and its purpose?
Building Management Systems (BMS), also known as Building Automation Systems (BAS), are computer-based systems installed in buildings to control and monitor the mechanical and electrical equipment of the building, such as HVAC, lighting, energy, fire systems, and security systems. In simple terms, the BMS serves as a central control point for all facilities within a building. Because the BMS can remotely control heating and ventilation systems from a computer or mobile device, facility management staff do not have to physically walk to each building, floor, or room to shut down, switch on, or manually adjust connected devices. Such systems serve to facilitate the operation of cooling or heating systems, support the process of maintaining or developing the many air-conditioning or HVAC systems in commercial and industrial buildings, as well as to create the feeling of comfort in occupants.Main types of BMS systems
HVAC management – Most common parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, CO or CO2, LPG (typically found in enclosed parking garages, due to the engine operation of the vehicles) and air quality must be measured regularly, monitored and configured. But, from a practical point of view, we need the BMS to monitor them remotely due to lack of time or because of our comfort.
Hot water and heating control - Temperature control and pump operations for hot water and central heating are managed by the BMS, assuring proper distribution of water resources.
Lighting control - BM systems automate lighting operations, adjusting for optimal use and energy savings while maintaining comfort and safety standards.
Security systems management - Surveillance and access control are integrated into the BMS, boоsting up building security and quick response to incidents.
How BM systems work?
Building management systems consist of both software and hardware components. A BMS functions by collecting information from connected devices and equipment (configuration tools, gateways, sensors, fan speed controllers and etc.) within a building, processing all this data centrally and then sending different commands to control various building systems or even single devices. This is done according to set criteria and user inputs, using a network of the connected hardware and software components. The main functionalities of a standard BM system are:
Data collection for environmental conditions and parameters from temperature, humidity or even differential pressure sensors and occupancy detectors that gather real-time data on different environmental conditions.
Control process - Devices such as valves and dampers that physically adjust system components based on control signals from the automation layer.
To establish communication - Sends collected data or automacially update software of the connected devices to the automation layer via hardwired connections or Ethernet.
Feedback - Provides real-time feedback on the status and performance of various systems or single devices in a room.
Components of the BMS system
Software - The software component of a BMS is critical for integrating the data collected from various sensors in different fans or ventilation modules and executing the control strategies.
Controllers - Within the control panels, controllers hold the strategic logic used to manage the subsystems of the building effectively. These controllers are programmed to respond to the data received from sensors, adjusting the building's systems to maintain optimal environmental conditions. Sentera’s wide range of smart sensors and sensor controllers for every environmental parameter measurement and control, could be directly connected to a standard BM system and, yet, act on their own.
User interface - The user interface allows facility managers and building operators to interact with the system, monitor real-time data and make adjustments as needed. This interface can be accessed through web-based portals, mobile applications, or directly through physical interfaces on the control panels.
Communication system - In the context of a Building Management System (BMS), the network infrastructure refers to the system of connections that allow data to be communicated between the various components of the BMS such as sensors, control panels, actuators, and the user interface.
Connecting the system to every componentWired network - Wired networks involve physical cables (e.g., Ethernet cables) that connect devices within the BMS. These cables transmit data between sensors, actuators, control panels, and other components.
Wireless network - Wireless networks are Wi-Fi, Zigbee, or Bluetooth.
Protocols - In networking terms, a protocol is a standard or set of rules that devices must follow to communicate effectively over a network. Protocols like BACnet and Modbus (most common in HVAC industry) define data structure, method of data exchange and timing for communication. This enables different systems and devices within a BMS to exchange information reliably and interpret it correctly, ensuring seamless operation of building management functions.
Advantages of Implementing a BMS
Implementing a modern Building Management System (BMS) provides significant advantages that contribute to operational efficiencies, safety, and occupant comfort. Here is a closer look at how a BMS enhances building management:
Energy efficiency - A modern BMS optimizes the operation of mechanical and electrical systems including HVAC, lighting, and power systems. By automating processes such as turning off lights when not needed and adjusting temperature based on occupancy, a BMS can significantly reduce energy consumption and lower energy bills.
Comfort - By maintaining controlled indoor environmental conditions—regulating temperature, humidity, and air quality a BMS ensures a comfortable atmosphere for occupants. Appropriate lighting levels and smooth operation of systems contribute to an environment conducive to productivity and well-being.
Safety and emergency response - By integrating fire alarms, smoke detectors and other emergency systems, the system can immediately detect and respond to emergencies.
Reduced operating costs - Through efficient management of building systems, a BMS reduces the costs associated with maintenance and operation. It extends the lifespan of equipment by preventing overuse and facilitating timely maintenance, thereby decreasing the likelihood of costly repairs or replacements.
Application field of BMS systems
The most common types of application fields of building management systems are lightning and electric power control, HVAC industry, security and observation, access control, fire and alarm systems, lifts, elevators and etc., plumbing industry.
Sentera’s solutions
Through the years, the Sentera Controls company has declared itself for measuring and monitoring life-changing parameters in the whole industry. We started as a producer of smart devices and proceeded with effective control solutions for your HVAC system. Our devices (HVAC sensors, electronic or transformer fan speed controller, potentiometers, gateways or configuring devices and other), including our wide branch of effective, easy to install and use, full pack solutions are made for installing, monitoring and configuring HVAC installations. Every solution of Sentera (which includes a suitable for the solution product like room sensor, transformer fan speed controller or Internet gateway) could be connected to a BM system in order to easily monitor and configure every environmental parameters and take on-time actions to fix the occurring problems and restore the comfort of occupants.
Sentera’s solutions for:
Fan speed control – In these types of solutions, the main devices (the fan speed controller) must regulate the fan speed in order to supply enough fresh air and extract the stale air. The air flow volume can be adjusted manually or automatically according to the stale. In case you want to do it manually, the fan speed can be adjusted via a switch or potentiometer, despite that we suggest you use the remote fan speed control solutions for your comfort. For automatic fan speed control, an HVAC sensor should be connected to the AC fan speed controller or directly to the EC fan.
Control an air curtain - Air curtains can be activated manually or automatically, based on temperature difference in the rooms. In manual control mode, the air velocity can be adjusted via a switch or potentiometer. This can be done locally or remotely. For automatic control mode, temperature sensors measure the difference between the inside and outside temperature and activate the air curtain if necessary.
Destratification control - Destratification units or ceiling fans balance the air temperature nearby the ceiling and at the floor level. These fans are often used in large halls with high ceilings (for example: production halls, warehouses, museums and others) to reduce heating costs by preventing large temperature differences between floor and ceiling level. Destratification controllers measure temperatures at ceiling and floor levels to optimise fan speed based on the temperature difference.
Fan heater or cooler control - Electric or water-supplied fan heaters / coolers are typically used in logistics, production halls or sports facilities to heat or cool the air. Fan speed can be controlled manually or on demand. This leads to immediate energy and financial cost savings and reduces health issues, as it creates the most suitable air quality and temperature levels for the occupants.
Visit our website, see our wide variety of different products, suitable for you, your health and your comfort, choose a proper solution and take control of your environment. With our help, you manage to create the perfect air quality in the building. By simply connecting a whole BM system you can remotely control the system (-s) in your facility and get notified in case of faulty operations or occurred problems with environmental parameters, which are crucial to be maintained on-time. For more, click on www.sentera.eu and follow us on every social media platform to be in touch with eventual updates or new products.