Building Automation: Which Products Can You Automate?

It's no secret that technology has had a profound impact on the way we live our lives. One of the most noticeable ways this is evident is in the way buildings are designed and operated. Buildings that were once solely reliant on human interaction and oversight are now incorporating building automation systems to help manage different aspects of the building operation. Not only is building automation a convenient solution but also can be highly efficient. This article will look at what products can be automated in a building, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of total building automation.

Before we discuss what products can be automated, it’s good to get an understanding of how a building automation works. Automation relies on data to determine what functions to execute. This data is used to give instructions to smart objects, which are all connected via a concept called “The Internet of Things”. When inanimate objects connect to the internet and collect, share and analyse data independently from human input. Combining the digital and physical mediums in this way has made many tasks much simpler, including building automation.

Lighting

Several types of building products come to mind when thinking of automation, one example is lighting. Incorporating occupancy sensors into light fixtures can result in energy savings as the lights will only be on when someone is present in the space (although if you are immobile in the space for a while, you may need to get up to turn the lights back on). Another way you can automate lighting is to have the system dim the lights during certain periods of the day or in response to conditions outside. For example, if there is a lot of natural light coming into a space, artificial lighting can be dimmed to save energy. Another little-known aspect of lighting that you can automate is the maintenance and replacement of lighting products. By tying into the building automation system, you can schedule when light bulbs need to be changed so that they are always operating at peak efficiency.

Turnstiles like these are commonplace in commercial buildings that require a high degree of security.

Security

Security systems are another product that can be automated. For example, access control systems can be used to grant or deny entry into a building based on certain criteria. This can be done with turnstiles, gates, or automatic doors. Cameras and motion sensors can also be integrated into a security system to monitor activity in and around the building. Usually, all these elements combine to create one complete security system. Smart technology integrates your devices into the system, allowing the occupants to control the entire system from the palm of their hand, and receive instant updates on the security status of the building.

HVAC

Building automation systems is also used to control temperature and ventilation. For example, you can program the system to adjust the temperature based on the time of day or season. You can also set it to automatically open or close windows and vents in response to the temperature outside.

Dyson's range of air purifiers automatically detects subtle changes in air quality and adjusts accordingly.

Louvres and blinds are two more products that are automated to control the amount of sunlight and heat entering a space. Additionally, air filters and purifiers have the option to be automated according to the pollution levels inside. Another advantage of an automated HVAC system is data collection. Information about the building's ambient temperature, levels of light and air quality is collected and analysed to make the building more efficient.

Safety

The most important thing when it comes to building automation is safety, especially in high rise offices. In an emergency situation such as a fire every second could mean life or death, and automating a building to respond immediately will mitigate some of the potential risks. A robust series of emergency lighting, alarms and sprinklers is required, but there is more a building can automate to protect the occupants. The system can be set to automatically close all doors and windows in the event of a fire. You can also have it turn off the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to prevent the spread of smoke and fumes. Additionally, you can set up an emergency notification system that will send out alerts to building occupants.

An IT technician troubleshoots problems in a building's server room.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Building automation systems offer many advantages. One advantage is increased efficiency. Automating certain functions in a building can help to optimize the use of resources such as energy, water, and heating/cooling. This, in turn, can lead to cost savings for the building owner or manager. Automation can also help to improve the comfort of occupants by creating a more comfortable indoor environment. Additionally, automation systems can help to increase the security of a building by integrating different security products into one system.

However, there are also some disadvantages to consider. One disadvantage is the cost of installation and maintenance. Building automation systems can be expensive to install, and they also require regular maintenance. Additionally, if something goes wrong with the system, it can be difficult and costly to fix. Another disadvantage is that building automation systems can be complex and confusing to use. This can result in functions being used improperly, reducing efficiency and potentially creating serious gaps in your security. Automated buildings can also fall victim to hacking, so a robust security system is essential for complete automation. The good news is that as this technology develops, more and more of these problems will be addressed and solved.

You can view technical information, including specifications, drawing files and brochures, for building automation products on Archify.