The Building Management Systems (BMS) we see today serve the same purpose they did when first introduced in the late 1800s in the European countries and the 1990s in India: While there has been much technical evolution, such as the shift from pneumatic systems to computer-based control systems, from simple ACAD drawings to BIM models, most buildings remain energy inefficient and difficult to maintain, and often don’t fully serve the occupants’ needs. 

By disrupting long-established BMS models with IoT systems, there are significant opportunities to improve building efficiency in a variety of ways, which in turn will lead to cost savings and the development of innovative services. Building planning and construction methods are also changing by leveraging IoT technology to reduce power consumption, increase energy savings, and create more sustainable buildings.

The world is now reimagining commercial and public buildings, emphasizing health, safety, and energy efficiency. Today, technology plays a critical role in creating dynamic smart buildings that streamline maintenance, offer better experiences for occupants, and improve ROI.

Intelligent building solutions integrate smart technologies to transform how a building performs. The B-IoT provides end-to-end smart solutions, from smart building consulting to controls contracting, master systems integration, integration platforms, command and control user interface, and digital engineering services.

IoT systems connect various sensors and smart devices to a local or cloud-based controller from an architectural perspective. Sensors often collect and transmit real-time data about their environment that the controllers can then use to offer both immediate and long-term responses. Predictive and adaptive algorithms can help controllers execute simple and complex operational responses.

IoT systems are somewhat reliable in their architecture and consist of three primary layers:

1. The hardware or sensor layer
2. The software control layer and
3. The application layer

The size and scope of today’s IoT systems also differ; they can range from a small number of sensors in a residential building to millions of gadgets on complex factory floors and within large commercial buildings. Customer privacy and security are critical and are sensitive factors that developers should consider to make an IoT system sustainable in the long term and on a large scale.

Building management system offers a specific series of distinctive constraints and possible solutions in energy. The notion of a “smart building” is getting progressively more widespread. A smart building is equipped with modern technologies to automate procedures, particularly HVAC controls, and contain energy consumption. A smart city includes various IoT systems dedicated to parking availability, traffic optimization, weather preparedness, public transit, and building sensors. 

IoT architecture comprises four components:

• Monitoring and control – from anywhere, anytime
• Location-based automatic controls
• A cloud computing platform for data storage computation
• Applications, AI & Analytics

There five most common application types of IoT are: 

• Energy consumption monitoring and control
• Predictive temperature control
• Occupancy and comfort sensing
• Controllable devices
• The smart home application

Schematic of the system arrangement of IoT architecture 

Here are critical areas where building automation with IoT can significantly impact. Traditionally, these were all standalone with no integration. However, these are seamlessly integrated into a smart building today, enabling control, data flow, and energy optimization.

• Facility management & operations
• Sustainability
• Security & safety
• Occupant comfort

1. Facility management & operations

We can do a lot about maintenance in the IoT world, specifically predictive maintenance. Having equipment out of commission or in disrepair can translate to potential health and safety concerns on the premises. Unexpected issues are bound to arise, often not visible to the naked eye. Sensors can detect potential problems before anyone in the office or home becomes aware and will send alerts and information to building managers so that they can act immediately, staving off what could be a costly breakdown of a system or piece of equipment. This feature also reduces tenant disruption and saves money in the long run.

Facility managers need to oversee many different aspects and measurements of their buildings, such as humidity and carbon dioxide levels. These measurements ensure the safety of the building occupants, minimum operational costs, and consistent conformity to regulatory restrictions.

By taking advantage of predesigned building automation IoT solutions, facility managers can begin monitoring their buildings in real-time and repurpose the resources previously tasked with taking manual readings. With pre-packaged dashboards, hierarchical data privacy rules, alerts, and triggers, facilities managers will be well on their way to supporting an IoT-enabled HVAC solution.

2. Sustainability

The current sustainability goals and environmental restrictions play a significant role in designing intelligent buildings of the future. Effective power management, integration of IoT systems for green energy, and self-sustainability capabilities are integral parts of most smart buildings today.

There is not necessarily a “best” application for the IoT applied to building energy reduction because each application has custom goals based on the building characteristics and location. For this reason, it is difficult to compare the cost and installation difficulty of an IoT application.

           2a. Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency has long been at the core of BMS implementation.  IoT technology can identify critical areas of energy wastage and cost minimization, creating smart energy. One can use the sensor-generated data at the building level to optimize and regulate HVAC equipment. By making relevant adjustments, you can save on both energy and costs.

New builds are already introducing building automation systems widely, but you can also retrofit them to existing buildings to give you the energy-saving benefits of a smart building.

         2b. Water management

The average person spends about 90% of their time indoors, and the average family uses around 300 liters of water each day, while the average office worker uses up to 30 liters per day while at work. With water resources becoming scarce, monitoring and saving water is imperative. Embedding IoT-enabled sensors in water supply channels give the data we need to monitor and control. These IoT sensors can alert facility managers to initiate temporary measures and store data historically.

3. Security & safety

Access control is a fundamental security aspect for every building and organization where restricted access is necessary, including schools, hospitals, offices, warehouses, data centers, and even hotels. The primary driver of access control is safeguarding people and protecting physical and intellectual property. Most of us probably already use key cards, but IoT adds another layer. With key cards and connected ‘checkpoints,’ remote access control is possible, with remotely lockable doors and the ability to track and program door access.

4. Occupant comfort

A smoothly run building or facility keeps the occupants comfortable. Smart buildings with IoT sensors & cloud technologies can support this.

Many of the above areas contribute to occupant comfort, with indoor temperatures, air quality, lighting, and humidity playing into occupants’ well-being and productivity. IoT sensors monitor all of these and allow you to fine-tune them as you go, helping you to maintain an optimal and healthy indoor environment. Data from sensors can also help you accurately assess traffic and usage in different parts of the building to prioritize things like cleaning activities, ensuring good sanitation and well-maintained amenities.

There are various ways to detect user comfort using IoT systems and otherwise. User comfort is essential to measure as this must be maintained or improved when implementing an energy consumption-reducing IoT application. The addition of occupancy and comfort-sensing allows the system to perform what users desire instead of overheating, cooling, lighting, etc. Additionally, you can use the occupancy and activity details to tailor energy systems only to regions that require it, in either the long or the short term. This adjustment could be as simple as automatically turning on and off lights or allowing predictive HVAC control based on long-term occupancy patterns.

Conclusion

Building IoT offers the promise to transform one of the largest business markets. Over a third of all energy is consumed in buildings, making them a critical component of any global sustainability response. At the same time, buildings, by nature of their high occupancy densities, are central to security considerations, including health securities that the pandemic has further brought into sharp focus. We believe that the next 5–7 years will see a massive transformation of buildings, with IoT solutions likely being one of the key enablers.

N.J.Abraham

Project Delivery - IoT & Smart Campus

NJ is a part of the Delivery Team of IoT & Smart Campus with CIS Wipro. He handles key Global Projects. He has 23 years of experience in the IBMS & IoT Industry and has worked in multiple technical domains. He has worked in Global Organisations handling various mid & leadership roles. He has a proven track of handling mission critical projects, complex technologies, customer centric and a zeal for excellence.