A Building Energy Management System can sit at the centre of a commercial building’s operation, but what does it actually control?

The answer will vary considerably from one property to another. A small commercial building may have a relatively straightforward system, while a large office, hospital, hotel, university or data centre could have thousands of individual points being monitored and controlled.

Understanding what sits behind the BEMS helps demonstrate why it can be such an important tool for facilities teams.

Heating and Cooling

Heating and cooling are among the most recognisable areas of BEMS control.

Depending on the building, the system can monitor and control equipment including boilers, chillers, heat pumps, pumps, valves and associated HVAC plant.

Using information from temperature sensors and other inputs, the BEMS can determine when heating or cooling is required and control equipment according to the programmed strategy.

Ventilation and Air Handling

Air Handling Units (AHUs) are another important part of many commercial BEMS installations.

The system can monitor and control fans, dampers, heating and cooling coils and other components to help maintain appropriate internal conditions.

Depending on the installation, factors such as occupancy, temperature and air quality can influence how ventilation operates.

Sensors and Building Conditions

A BEMS relies on sensors to understand what is happening throughout a building.

Temperature is one of the most common measurements, but systems can also receive information relating to humidity, CO2 levels, pressure and other environmental conditions.

These inputs allow the control system to make decisions and adjust connected equipment accordingly.

Energy Metering

Energy meters and sub-meters can also be integrated into a BEMS, giving facilities teams greater visibility of consumption.

Electricity, gas, heat and other utilities can be monitored, with information displayed through dashboards and reports to help users understand where and when energy is being consumed.

Alarms, Schedules and Control Strategies

A BEMS doesn’t simply switch equipment on and off.

Schedules determine when different services should operate, while setpoints and control strategies determine how the system responds to changing conditions.

Alarms can alert facilities teams to abnormal temperatures, equipment faults, communication failures and other conditions requiring attention.

All of these elements work together to automate building operation while providing facilities teams with greater visibility and control.

Bringing Building Services Together

Every BEMS is different because every building is different. The equipment being controlled, the information being monitored and the strategies required should reflect the way the individual property operates.

At Concord, we design, install, commission, maintain and optimise BEMS solutions around the requirements of each building and its occupants.

By bringing building services together through intelligent controls and accessible information, a well-designed BEMS can help facilities teams manage increasingly complex buildings more effectively.

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