Is there a difference between a building management system and a building automation system? Building Management Systems (BMS) and Building Automation Systems (BAS) are frequently used synonymously, which may startle even seasoned facilities managers. Both names relate to computer-based control platforms that are installed in commercial buildings and that are used to monitor and control electrical and mechanical components like lighting, ventilation, HVAC, and electrical power systems.
The main objectives of installing a BAS or BMS System inside the architecture of your business building are normally to increase system effectiveness, cut costs, and guarantee occupant comfort and safety. Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, not all BMSs, or BASs are the same; your success in accomplishing your objectives depends on the specific features of a system and how it interacts with other elements in your network. You can find the best method to accomplish your operational goals by considering the advantages of automation and the function of sophisticated analytics.
What is Building Management System or BMS?
A Building Management System is a computer-based system that is installed in buildings to manage and monitor equipment like HVAC, lighting, power systems, security devices, IoT sensors and gas and energy meters. Servers, supervisory devices, field buses, controllers, inputs and outputs make up a traditional BMS. Other names for them include building automation systems (BAS). In order for the HVAC and numerous building components to function as a single, integrated unit, a BMS unites them. They should, ideally, centralize processes and improve data visualization through a user interface or console.
BMS has developed into a collection of incompatible parts and uncrackable structures. Due to their high cost and complexity, they are only found in 15% of large, premium buildings, despite the fact that their proper use can save 30% of the energy expenditure.
What is Building Automation System or BAS?
Building Automation Systems, or BASs, are yet another clever tool that makes managing a building easier. It has a lot less features and is a considerably smaller solution, though. It might be argued that it is a BMS subset. BAS and BMS are terminologies that are frequently used interchangeably. You might hear entirely different meanings of the two depending on the nation you’re in or the business you’re speaking with. A BAS actually has few functionalities but frequently has more intelligent analytics and automatic controls.
A Building Automation System can:
- Based on sensor variations, quickly and automatically change the settings of various mechanical and electrical systems (such as HVAC, lighting and air control) inside a structure.
- Automate even the most tedious operational and maintenance tasks.
- From a central hub, provide remote controls for numerous building systems and appliances. E.g., With the press of a button, you may lock down the entire building, adjust the ventilation without adjusting the HVAC, or turn on all the lights at once.
Striking a Contrast Between Building Management System and Building Automation System
The BMS objectives need to be improved in light of increased utility life cycles, decreased energy operating costs and consumption, efficient building system operation, and occupant comfort. Therefore, a building’s HVAC and humidity ventilation, control systems, lighting, flood and fire safety, security, and mechanical systems should be controlled and monitored using distributed control system’s excellent work on the computer networking of automation instruments. As a result, a BAS’s primary functions should be maintained, including maintaining the building climate within a given range, providing malfunction alarms to the building’s maintenance staff, monitoring device failure and performance in all building systems, and lighting rooms in accordance with an occupancy schedule.
Most industrial, institutional, and commercial buildings built after 2000 feature a BMS that needs to be modified for an old building since it saves energy and maintenance expenses compared to uncontrolled buildings. Typically, some old buildings have undergone a new BAS retrofit, which has been paid for by insurance savings, energy savings, and other benefits related to fault detection and preventive maintenance. As a result, a building controlled by a BMS is frequently referred to as an intelligent building; a “smart house” in the case of a residence; or in more simpler terms, a “smart building.” Industrial and commercial buildings must have historically relied on healthy recognized methods like BACnet when proprietary procedures were applied in houses.
Get in Touch with Automation Experts
Although the sector is changing, and the current global demands will accelerate along the change. In that case, one must need to harness the potential of the all-digital, all-electric world with a more sustainable, resilient, efficient and people-centric building systems if they want to survive and even prosper as a developer, owner, and operator.
So, how will advancements in smart building technology impact future building designs? By simply getting in touch with the right associates and are experts in their respective field. Make sure you do so!