A report on Building Management Systems in museums, with a reference to the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

Dimitrios Karolidis
Introduction Museums preserve, interpret and promote the natural and cultural inheritance of humanity [1]. One of the primary responsibilities of museums is to protect and promote this heritage along with the human, physical and financial resources made available for that purpose. The aim of this report is to describe and assess briefly a number of services under the generic title Building Management Systems (BMS) with a reference to their use in the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. These services already available to industrial applications for more than forty years [2] are becoming very popular in museums nowadays, since they are used to fulfil the basic functions defined in the museums mission. These functions include the accordance to international institutional standards of health, safety and accessibility which apply to personnel and visitors, the protection of the public, personnel, collections and other resources against natural and human-made disasters and finally the providence of appropriate environmental conditions and security to protect collections against theft or damage in displays, exhibitions, working or storage areas and while in transit. This report will define the BMS services, the way they function, the way they are used in the museum of Thessaloniki and it will evaluate and assess their use. How does BMS work? BMS can be defined as a fully functional control system. This includes controllers, various communications devices and a full complement of operational software necessary to have a fully functioning control system. The process of controlling involves three steps: first is the measuring of data, then is the processing of the data along with other information and finally the causing of a control action. This involves a control loop which consists of three main components: a sensor, a controller and a controlled device. These three components or functions interact to control a medium. (For example, air temperature is a controlled medium). The sensor measures the data, the controller processes the data and the controlled device causes an action. The sensor measures the controlled medium or other control input in an accurate and repeatable manner. For example HVAC sensors are used to measure temperature, pressure, relative humidity, airflow state and carbon dioxide. Other variables may also be measured that impact the controller logic. Additional input information (sensed data), that influences the control logic can be used, and may include the status of other parameters (airflow, water flow, current) or safety (fire, smoke, high/low temperature limit or any number of other physical parameters). The controller processes data that is input from the sensor, applies the logic of control and causes an output action to be generated. This signal may be sent directly to the controlled device or first to other logical control functions and ultimately to the controlled device. The controllers function is to compare its input (from the sensor) with a set of instructions such as set-point and then produce an appropriate output signal or control response (along with other logical decisions that are unique to the specific control application). Finally the controlled device responds to the signal from the controller, or the control logic, and changes the condition of the controlled medium or the state of the end device. Examples of these devices are fans, pumps, compressors etc [5]. Standards and protocols The common option in utilising a BMS service is through fully integrated systems or all in one solutions which include software and hardware and are manufactured and delivered by well established companies such as Siemens or Honeywell. This usually applies in cases where BMS is part of the original construction plan of a building. In cases where BMS should be installed in an existing fully equipped building, there are more flexible solutions that link software and hardware. Therefore a big number of different protocols, standards and software are available at the market such as ProfibusTM [6], XMLTM [7], BACnetTM [8], ModbusTM [9] and KNX to

What is Building management system? A Building Management System (BMS) is a computer-based control system installed in buildings that controls and monitors the buildings mechanical and electrical equipment such as ventilation, lighting, power systems, fire systems, and security systems [3]. It consists of software and hardware; the software program runs on computer workstations and communicates with the hardware via protocols called buses. A protocol is a short of a common language in the form of control data which ensures that all of the BMS installed components can communicate and exchange information no matter what the original manufacturing technology is or how isolated a hardware device is. The hardware or bus devices, can be sensors or actuators needed for the control of building management equipment such as lighting, security systems, energy management, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, signalling and monitoring systems. The function of all the above mentioned equipment can be controlled, monitored and signalled via a uniform system and that is what BMS does [4].

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cover both scenarios. Finally the DMS selection depends upon the needs and budget of the potential client/ institution. BMS in the museum of Thessaloniki The museum of Thessaloniki is housed in a multi and fully functional building, which has mechanical and electrical services and equipments necessary for the operation of the facility and for meeting the institutions mission. These include: Illumination system Electric power control system Heating system Ventilation system Microclimate system Conditioning devices Security and observation system Magnetic card and access system Fire alarm system Lifts, elevators etc. The building management at the museum is achieved through the use of three distinctive and separate systems: The Tracer Summit Building Automation System provided by Trane Hellas, part of of Ingersoll Rand Corporation. It utilises PC workstations with Tracer Summit software and Tracer Summit Building Control Units (BCU) to control, monitor and optimise electric power, illumination, HVAC, water supply and other automation systems (lifts, elevators etc.). It uses the BacNet protocol. For energy management it is used to monitor peak demand, to detect current and leaks, to meter consumed energy and perform load shedding (rationing of the available electricity) and to log the collected data (Figure 1). For lighting control it is used for constant and timed light provision, for automatic lighting, for switching and dimming and for creating light scenes. For blind and shutter control it is used for group and central control, for preset positioning of the blinds, for sun tracing, for wind and rain protection and for blind safety mode. For HVAC control it is used for individual room/ area temperature and humidity control, for central and automatic control, for particular timed operation modes, for running safety programs, and for valve drive, fan coil and electrical heating control.

It uses Ethernet [10] and Pelco P [11] protocols. It is used for motion, intrusion and theft detection, area inspection and surveillance, door access provision and supervision.

Figure 2. Max Pro VMS System Diagram. [Online] The NOTI-FIRE-NET fire alarm network system is provided by Notifier, part of Honeywell Corporation. It utilizes PC workstations to form a network of NOTIFIER Intelligent Fire Alarm Control Panels (Figure 3). Each control panel (network node) maintains its own area of protection for monitoring and controlling fire risks and hazards. It uses the Arcnet protocol. It is used for detecting fire through smoke sensors, for sounding fire alarms and for switching on the roof sprinklers in order to extinguish a fire hazard.

Figure 1. A typical example of Tracer Summit architecture. Figure 3. Noti-Fire-Net possible configurations. The MAXPRO VMS (Video Management System) with Pro-Watch security management system provided by Honeywell Corporation. It utilizes PC workstations to manage security and observation systems (surveillance cameras), and magnetic card and access systems (Figure 2).

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More specifically these three distinctive systems are used in the following ways: Illuminance Ideally the BMS should control the lighting zones (exhibition halls, corridors, offices, storage, toilets) into which the museum building is divided. When human presence is detected the lights switch on automatically. This is particularly useful in the storage or the toilets, where people tend to leave the lights on. Time profiles are programmed according to the working hours, so lights again are switched off and security lights switched on in the offices, the conservation studios and the museum hall. Dimmers are controlling the light intensity in relation to daylight intensity, in the areas where windows are present. In this way a specified minimum level of brightness is achieved and maintained both for the safety of the exhibited objects and for the pleasant visiting experience of the museum visitors. This is also aided by the automation in the use of blinds. So, for instance, when there is intense sun light, blinds shut down partly or lean, in order to achieve the desired luminance level and when the sky is dark and cloudy, blinds open so that natural low-contrast light can contribute to the existing lighting. The same applies in the offices and the conservation studios where again the desired lighting levels are achieved by the automation in the blinds operation. In some display cases where sensitive light materials are exhibited, there is a motion sensor which dims the display light according to human presence in front of the display. Energy The museum building is divided in energy zones controlled by BMS. Measurement of energy consumption is performed on a monthly basis, followed by statistical analysis which leads in determining the most energy consuming areas, departments, operations and activities inside the museum. In this way a thorough investigation is carried out and alterations are suggested or performed in order to reduce unnecessary energy consumption (especially in administration offices and conservation studios where the problem is usually detected). In the same manner energy peak demand is recorded and when overload is detected, a load shedding operation is automatically performed, preventing unexpected cut-downs which may lead to unpleasant situations such as lift and elevator blocking, shutting down of the computers and loss of data, disturbing the microclimate is sensitive material displays or interrupting sensitive and time consumed remedial conservation practises. Electric current leaks are also detected, so that hazards due to malfunction of machinery or failure of wiring can be avoided. Finally maintenance of all electrical equipment is scheduled and monitored on regular intervals so that proper operation is ensured (lifts, elevators, HVAC system, museum lights etc.) HVAC (Heating Ventilating Air Conditioning) The building is divided in climate zones controlled by BMS. These zones include the exhibition halls, the administration offices, the conservation studios, the storage and other facilities such as auditoriums, rest areas etc. Temperature regimes are determined, programmed and scheduled according to each areas needs. For the exhibition halls the BMS ensures that the desired temperature and humidity levels are met according to preventive conservation requirements and visitors comfort, throughout a 24 hours circle. Occupancy times for administration offices and conservation studios are programmed so that the plant is brought on and off to meet the occupier requirements. These times are under optimum start control, so that the heating plant is enabled at a varying predetermined time, to ensure that these spaces are at the set desired temperature for the start of the working day. Definite temperature regimes are fixed in each administrative office and conservation studio and temperature can be changed on a definite day as for example on holidays or weekends when there is no human activity. Open windows can be detected and automatically close in order to avoid unnecessary ventilation

usage. Electronic sensors of increased accuracy constantly measure the common HVAC parameters of temperature, humidity and pressure in sensitive areas such as the exhibition halls, the conservation studios and the storage and send signals to the control center so that scheduled regimes can be overridden and readapted to the new temporary conditions and needs. This is especially useful during extreme weather conditions such as heat waves which are very common in Thessaloniki during summer. Security and safety The museum building is divided in security zones controlled by BMS. Surveillance cameras are placed inside the exhibition halls and in the museums perimeter. The multiple sources of video collect, manage and present video in a very clear and concise way through a user friendly interface. The cameras at the museum are placed in such a way that video pursuit is made possible by simplifying the process of motion detection (the cameras cover all the areas and there are no blind spots). The system provides the ability to investigate events and alarms by simultaneously viewing alarm videos at various stages. For every alarm, security personnel can view the video captured during pre-alarm, on-alarm, postalarm, and also view live video from the camera which triggered the alarm. The use of magnetic cards and door sensors at the administrative offices, conservation studios and storage, ensure that access is restricted to authorised museum staff and every in and out activity in these areas is recorded on a data log and can be easily accessed in case of theft. This system records intrusion through breakage and triggers a sounding alarm. Fire safety is provided through a system comprising of smoke detectors placed in every single area of the museum, water sprinklers placed on the ceiling of every room and sound alarms placed on walls inside the building. Intelligent fire alarm control panels which are connected to the above mentioned devices are placed in various fire zones, such as exhibition halls, administration offices, studios and storage. The control panels form a unified network which is monitored and controlled by the operations room of the museum. In case of fire, the system cuts down the electricity at the fire zone (isolating it), shut off dampers in the ventilation system to stop smoke spreading and send all the elevators to the ground floor and park them to prevent people from using them. It also switches on the water sprinklers and the security lights, sounds the alarms and automatically notifies the fire brigade. Outcomes of the use of BMS in museums From the above presented facts, the following outcomes concerning the use of BMS in museums can be concluded: 1. BMS result in low operating costs and consequently in considerable energy savings. The efficient use of building resources and services is optimised. It has been shown that lighting and heating are operated when needed and that monitoring of critical environments ensures strict adherence to specified operating conditions. Rapid energy consumption is well monitored, energy usage is profiled and utility costs are allocated and targeted. Maintenance information through problem diagnostics and early detection is easily available and accessible. So maintenance of all equipment is scheduled and performed in time and stuff numbers can decrease due to automated tasks performed. Improved building reliability and life is feasible. 2. BMS result in time saving, flexibility and adaptability to future developments. Rapid alarm indication and fault diagnosis is made possible. Interlinking all communicating devices reduces design and installation time. Products of different manufacturers with different communication media (twisted pair, radio frequency, power line or IP/Ethernet) are combined to one installation and data from multiple systems are integrated into a centrally managed and secure platform.

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Accurate reporting for process validation via a secure and timely paperless recordkeeping system is facilitated. 3. Through BMS, museum safety and control levels are increased. Higher level of security for the exhibited antiquities, the visitors and museum staff is ensured. Adaptive control of devices eliminates the need for seasonal retuning because it continuously and automatically adjusts to system changes, freeing up staff's time. Also the level of comfort is increased both for visitors and staff. More precise temperature control, especially during seasonal change-overs, improves staff's comfort and consequently increases staff productivity. Conclusion As the name suggests, BMS is about management. This term encompasses an array of different functions to accomplish a task successfully. It is a process of getting activities completed efficiently and effectively. It is the systematic application of existing knowledge, the acquisition of new one and the act of making this knowledge effective [12]. All of the fully functional control systems utilized at the museum of Thessaloniki aim to fulfil and meet the definition of management. BMS is an evolving process which combines creative, business, organizational, analytical and other skills to produce effective goal-oriented results within the museum environment, which are not just figure -bound but also focus on the overall growth and development of the institution. In a long-term perspective BMS goes beyond the organizations internal operations to include the impact on the general environment and with current social awareness on issues such as sustainability and green buildings, BMS under the right usage can contribute so that museums will operate and develop towards sustainability standards, and the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki is no exception to this. Biography Dimitrios Karolidis has been a senior conservator at the Greek Ministry of Culture since 2006. Email: dkarolidis@culture.gr References 1. [Online]. International Council of Museums, ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums, (ICOM 21st General Assembly, October 2004) http: //icom.museum/fileadmin/user_upload/pdf/Codes/code2006_eng.pdf (accessed July 2009) 2. [Online]. Available at: http://www.siemens.com/history/en/index.htm (accessed July 2009) 3. Levermore, G., Building Energy Management Systems: An Application to Heating, Natural Ventilation, Lighting and Occupant Satisfaction, Taylor & Francis, London (2000) 4. KNX Association, KNX Standard, Diegem (2004) 5. Direct Digital Control, Iowa Energy Center, Getting Started, Iowa (2008) 6. [Online]. Available at: http://www.profibus.com (accessed July 2009) 7. [Online]. Available at: http://www.w3.org/2000/xp/ (accessed July 2009) 8. [Online]. Available at: http://www.bacnet.org/ (accessed July 2009) 9. [Online]. Available at: http://www.modbus.org/ (accessed July 2009) 10. [Online]. Available at: http://www.cisco.com/ en/ US/ docs /internetworking /technology /handbook /Ethernet.html (accessed July 2009) 11. [Online]. Available at: http://apps.pelco.com/protocols/registerprotocol.aspx (accessed July 2009) 12. Drucker, F.P., The Practice of Management, Collins, London (1993) Notes The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

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