Intelligent Building Systems

Intelligent buildings use electronics extensively and are high-technology Oriented. In recognition of the electronic aspects of intelligent building systems, we can divide the operation into four categories:

• energy efficiency
• lifesafety systems
• telecommunications systems
• workplace automation
• The ultimate dream in the design of intelligent building systems is to integrate the four operating areas into one single computerized system

Energy Efficiency
Intelligence with respect to energy in intelligent building systems consists of the reduction of energy use to the bare minimum. Computerized systems are used extensively. Such systems go by many names: Building Automation System (BAS), Energy Management System (EMS), Energy Management and Control System (EMCS), Central Control and Monitoring System (CCMS) and Facilities Management System (FMS).

Some strategies used to reduce energy consumption in intelligent buildings are:

• Programmed start/stop
• Optimal start/stop
• Duty cycling
• Setpoint reset
• Electric demand limiting
• Adaptive control
• Chiller optimization
• Boiler optimization
• Optimal energy sourcing

Lifesafety Systems
Intelligence with respect to lifesafety in intelligent building systems consists of the use of high technology to maximize the performance of fire alarm and security systems while at the same time minimizing costs. Lifesafety factors involved in intelligent buildings are:

• Reduced manpower dependence
• Closed-circuit television
• Card access control
• Smoke detection
• Intrusion alarms
• Emergency control of elevators, HVAC systems, Doors
• UPS

Telecommunications Systems
Intelligence with respect to telecommunications in intelligent building systems consists of the offering to tenants of many sophisticated telecom features at a considerably reduced cost due to the fact that the equipment is shared by many users. Some of the telecom features involved in intelligent buildings are:

• PBX telephone system
• Cablevision
• Videotext
• Electronic mail

Workplace Automation
Intelligence with respect to workplace automation in intelligent building systems consists of the use of high-tech office automation systems to render the operation of a company more efficient. This can be done at a reduced cost to tenants by virtue of the equipment being shared. Some of the factors involved in workplace automation in intelligent buildings are:

• Centralized Data Processing
• Word Processing
• Computer Aided Design
• Information Services