BUILDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

What is a Building Management System?

 BMS systems are “Intelligent” microprocessor based controller

networks installed to monitor and control a buildings technical
systems and services such as air conditioning, ventilation,
lighting and hydraulics.

 More specifically they link the functionality of individual pieces

of building equipment so that they operate as one complete
integrated system.

 Now installed in every major building or facility with the

availability of direct integration into all other building services
such as security, access control, CCTV, fire, Lifts and other life
and safety systems.

 Current generation BMS systems are now based on open

communications protocols and are WEB enabled allowing
integration of systems from multiple system vendors and
access from anywhere in the world.
The Day to Day Role of the BMS...
1. The most common primary function of the BMS is the control
of a buildings Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems
(HVAC) including;

 Air Handling Units

 Chilled Water Plant

 Cooling Towers

 Tenant Condenser Water

 Heating Water Plant

 Exhaust Systems
  Zone Controls

 Computer Room AC

2. Control of Building Systems and Services

3. Graphic User Interface (GUI)

4. Real Time Monitoring of Building Operation and Performance

5. Trending and Logging of Building Operation and Performance

6. Time Scheduling of Building Systems

7. Fault Management and Alarming

8. Control Application Programming

9. User Event Management

10. Energy Management and Reporting (NABERS)

Advantages of BMS vs Stand Alone Control

 Reduced installation costs

 Flexibility and ease of change

 Customised control strategies

 Scalability

 Operator interaction, feedback and control

 Integration with other building services

 LIFTS AND ELEVATORS

Introduction

Lifts, escalators and passenger conveyors, known as LEPC hereafter, are a

significant part of almost every major building construction or refurbishment
project.

Lifts were first created to solve the problem of vertical transport for people,

animals and goodsas buildings became taller. Residential lifts have become
essential to society, as they allow a varied group of people to have access to
all areas of a property

Since the first lift, which was recorded in history by Roman architect Vitruvius

to have been built by Archimedes in 236 BC, lifts and lift technology have
changed and evolved greatly.
 Users

Lifts allow an increasingly ageing population to remain independent in their

own homes. From 1974 to 2014, the average age of the UK population
increased from 33.9 years to 40 years – an increase of years.

The installation of home lifts has also allowed people with

physical disabilities or illnesses that restrict their movement
to access any space or room in their homes.

However, home lifts are not just used by people with physical limitations. The
vast majority of users opt for a residential lift to simplify their movement
within their homes. Access inside houses with several floors, whether they are
refurbished properties or new constructions, is made easier with a lift.

Types of Home Lifts

There are several different types of lifts for the home, including:

 Hydraulic passenger lifts that can carry a large amount of weight, fit

many people and carry large goods between floors.
 Lifts for stairs can be attached to the side of an existing staircase, so
major alterations to the home are not needed.
 Disabled access lifts, such as platform lifts, which allow wheelchair
users to easily overcome any staircases, no matter how many steps they
have.

Lift Specifications

Different homes will require different lifts. The size of the cabin will depend on
the number of people that will be using the lift, as well as their needs, and the
pit size will depend on the features of the house. Some lifts can
be installed without excavation, while others require a deep pit to be created.

Design

Whether modern or traditional, they need to be able to match the

existing interior design – they can also clash with it in an aesthetically pleasing
way if the user prefers.

Glass lifts can blend in seamlessly with their surroundings, so that they remain

as hidden as possible. This option is popular with homeowners who want their
décor to be visible at all times.
Scenic lifts offer luxury and are visually appealing, which can complement
the interior design of the home.

There are many different types of lifts, and there is also the possibility of going
bespoke – meaning that the home lift will be unique to a particular user and
cannot be found anywhere else.

Design considerations for lifts and escalators

Lifts

Whilst recognised as inherently safer to use than an escalator or passenger

conveyor, lifts are the most dangerous and challenging when it comes
to construction and refurbishment.
Shafts

Typically, there are two types of shaft: concrete or steel. If it were the decision

of the lift supplier then concrete is nearly always the preferred option. This is
due to the simplicity of the structure, essentially a concrete box built up
throughout the levels, which leaves a clean finish for the first stage
of lift installation. The use of a concrete shaft removes the need for what is
known as secondary steel (explained further in this section) since the bracketry
to which the lift and counterweight guides are attached fixes directly into
the concrete.
Steel however is often the choice of the architects and designers, especially
where there is an abundance of glass in the structure, as seen in many modern
buildings. The challenges here are that secondary steelwork (term used for
non-structural steel) is required to create points throughout the length of the
shaft to which the lift car and counterweight guides can be attached.
Escalators and passenger conveyors 

Escalators and Passenger Conveyors are by design in most cases

fully manufactured and tested off-site, and are considered as machinery. This
means that the selection of the appropriate escalator or passenger conveyor is
a lot simpler than that of lift selection. The most important point is the
integration of the escalator or passenger conveyor into the new or
existing building or structure. The designers should engage formally with
the manufacturer to obtain the dimensional and load information required
to complete an adequate design for the selection and location of the machine,
as well as the environmental considerations required by the
relevant standards, including EN115-1 & 2 where applicable, most
notably lighting levelsand clearance.

Operationally, consideration should be given to the speed of the machine,

any client requirements in the area, and also to how the
machine operates. Modern machines have the ability to slow down and stop
after periods of non-use and have a traffic light and sensor arrangement fitted
to each end to start-up the machine when approached by a user. The timings
and settings for this operation need to be agreed during the design stage as
the number of starts and stops each machine can make in an hour has a
bearing on the duty of the machine and therefore size, loadings and cost. Also
to consider here is that of the emergency stop arrangements, if the machine is
to be installed in a location that is not supervised (railway station, shopping
 centre perhaps) then there are options for automatic re-start in the event of
an emergency stop activation. These systems are complex and costly but again
need to be defined during design to ensure the machine is designed in line
with the client requirements.

Robustness is another consideration especially for machines fitted in

harsh areas such as railway stations, car parks and shopping centres.
These units need to be of a suitable construction to withstand the rigours and
high volume of users associated with the installationand often can include the
ability to withstand the impact of inclement weather (rain, wind, etc.).

Lifts

Specifically, for lifts, site surveillance activities should include focus on the

following key areas:

 shaft construction (concrete, steelwork, glass) and alignment checks;

 shaft drainage provisions (sumps and pumps);
 shaft mechanical and electrical services (electrical, fire, IT,
telecoms, ventilation);
 shaft fire stopping;
 shaft lifting beams / lifting eyes (if required);
 shaft bunding (hydraulic lifts);
 motor room construction
 motor room bunding (hydraulic lifts)
 motor mechanical and electrical services (electrical, fire, IT,
telecoms, ventilation)
 motor room fire stopping
 motor room lifting beams
 landings (entrances, flooring, doors, architraves, lighting)
 landing restrictions (columns, furniture, walkways, corridors)
 lift car construction (lighting, COP’s, flooring, handrails, mirrors)
 lift car emergency alarm (intercom)
 lift car access control
 lift control and calling (duplex, triplex…)
 lift fire system cause and effect (primary, secondary floors)
 lift commissioning (EN81 inspections)
 lift independent inspections (certificates of thorough examination)
 3rd party use of lift during construction (sub-
contractor shaft access via lift car top)
 These areas should be used as a guide and not all may be relevant depending
on the scope of works being completed.

Escalators and passenger conveyors 

Specifically, for escalators and passenger

conveyors, site surveillance activities should include focus on the following
key areas:

 machine alignment
 machine drive assembly
 machine functions and controls
 machine testing and commissioning
 user headroom clearances
 fire interfaces (automatic fire doors, dampers, smoke and heat
detectors)

 environmental lighting
 3rd party access to machine
during construction (scaffold or work platforms on machine)

These areas should be used as a guide and not all may be relevant depending

on the scope of works being completed.