As a building manager, you’re under pressure to provide tenants with a comfortable, secure, and energy-efficient environment, while reducing energy and maintenance costs. Building Automation Systems (BAS) make it easier to hit this sweet spot by centralizing the monitoring and control of critical building systems under a unified management platform.
Continue reading to learn more about BAS integration and how you can gain capital and operational savings by integrating disparate technologies into a single system with powerful capabilities.
What is a Building Automation System (BAS)?
A BAS is an integrated platform that monitors and controls your building’s core systems, such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, and security. By bringing these systems together, a BAS streamlines all building operations.
A BAS operates much like the “central nervous system” of a building, where different types of sensors collect data from various points across the facility. Distributed controller units then process this data and use it to make real-time adjustments to the systems making up the BAS.
For example, a BAS can adjust HVAC settings based on ambient temperature or the number of people in a room, dim or brighten lights based on which areas of the building are in use, or activate security protocols when a breach is detected. This distributed networked control simplifies management and improves energy efficiency and operational effectiveness, ultimately making for a more sustainable building.
What is BAS Integration?
We can define BAS integration as connecting and synchronizing different building systems and devices with a centralized control system. Rather than managing each system separately, BAS integration allows HVAC, lighting, and security to communicate seamlessly to deliver efficient services and reduce energy consumption.
When systems are integrated, they share data and respond dynamically to changing conditions within the building. For example, when occupancy sensors detect that a room is empty, the BAS instructs AC and lighting controls to adjust the HVAC settings and dim the lights, reducing energy waste. Similarly, integrating motion detectors and security cameras with access control systems enables a quicker, more effective response to potential threats.
BAS integration not only simplifies the management of complex building operations but also helps avoid the inefficiencies associated with manual control of individual systems. By centralizing control and enabling automated responses, it ensures that all building systems work together to deliver better performance and lower operational costs.
Critical Components in BAS Integration
BAS integration is driven by an array of critical components that collect data, and connect systems and control equipment, including sensors, actuators, controllers, and communication protocols. Together, these components work to deliver a customized, fine-tuned response to changing conditions and real-time events.
| Critical BAS Components | |
| Sensors | Collect data from multiple points within the building measuring temperature, humidity, light levels, motion, etc., and send these to one or more system controllers. |
| Controllers | Process the data collected by sensors and execute control algorithms that send commands to actuators, ensuring that each system operates within desired parameters. |
| Relays & Switches | Relays send on/off commands to equipment such as fans, pumps, or lighting systems that ensure systems operate only when needed.
Switches monitor the status of systems, indicating whether they are on/off, or whether an alarm is activated. |
| Actuators | Actuators respond to controller signals by opening or closing valves, moving dampers, and reporting the status of these components back to the controllers. |
| Communication Protocols | Communication protocols are software that enables different BAS devices to communicate with each other. Ideally, this should allow sensors, actuators, and controllers to exchange data easily, regardless of the equipment’s manufacturer. |
Open communication protocols like BACnet support integrating products from almost any vendor, providing greater flexibility. However, remaining closed or proprietary protocols, often found in older systems, restrict compatibility, limiting system options and complicating upgrades.
Fortunately, experienced equipment providers like Conexus, are often able to develop specialized Legacy Drivers that allow older systems to remain in use as part of a BAS.
Common BAS Integration Scenarios
BAS integration is not (and shouldn’t be) a one-size-fits-all solution. Different buildings and facilities require unique approaches to integrate both new and existing systems effectively. Here are some common BAS integration scenarios:
Scenario 1: HVAC System Integration in Commercial Buildings
In large commercial buildings, HVAC systems are often the most energy-intensive. Integrating the HVAC system into a BAS allows for precise control over temperature, humidity, and air quality throughout the facility.
A BAS can also be designed to adjust HVAC operations based on occupancy, time of day, and outdoor weather conditions, leading to significant energy savings and a more comfortable environment for occupants.
However, large commercial buildings often include devices from several different manufacturers. Unless systems are being replaced wholesale, these older systems will need to be successfully connected to newer BAS components.
Scenario 2: Campus-Wide Integration for Educational Institutions
Educational campuses, often spread across multiple buildings, have much to gain from comprehensive BAS integration. By connecting systems across an entire campus, it becomes possible to realize major energy efficiency savings. The ability to monitor equipment operation and efficiency remotely also makes it easier to pinpoint problems and schedule maintenance.
That said, integrating BAS components across a wide range of buildings can be complex, involving unifying control of different types of systems in a wide range of buildings.
Scenario 3: Retrofitting Older Buildings with Modern BAS Technology
Older buildings often present challenges when it comes to integrating modern BAS technology because older proprietary equipment will need to be connected to newer, upgraded open-source components. Done right, rather than replacing existing controls and equipment, BAS integration allows for the reuse of legacy systems while adding new, advanced capabilities.
This approach not only helps save on upgrade costs but promotes a longer-term phased upgrade process. For example, existing HVAC systems can be integrated with new controllers to optimize performance until a full system replacement is necessary.
Scenario 4: Multi-Vendor System Integration
Even when systems are designed from scratch, it’s necessary to connect equipment from different vendors. This can be especially complex in large mixed-use developments, where commercial, industrial, and residential systems need to co-exist.
Here, components that support open communication protocols between systems go a long way to ensuring your BAS can function as a unified control platform.
BAS Integration in Modern Building Management
Even when integrated BAS systems realize only small gains, they can offer major benefits in reducing costs at scale and decreasing the long-term energy footprint of a facility. Many environmental specialists have emphasized the importance of such incremental gains in reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.
That’s why integration-ready BAS equipment is a big part of unlocking smart building technology and driving the energy transition. Systems that meet human needs before we are even aware of them function far more efficiently than systems that can be manually adjusted.
And, exploiting the synergies of heating, lighting, and shade systems to direct energy where and when it is needed also promises big gains in efficiency that translate into long-term, bottom-line savings.
Conexus: Your BAS Integration Partner
Many building managers are going to face building systems upgrades and BAS installations in the coming years as energy prices continue to rise and environmental restrictions become stricter.
Fortunately, smarter open-source components are making it possible to connect incoming systems with your existing legacy equipment in a staged transition over time. This approach spreads the cost of reaching your building automation goal but enables you to immediately reap the benefits of increased integration.
At Conexus, we’ve been working from the start to roll out affordable, flexible open-source building automation equipment. Along the way, we’ve gained plenty of know-how in integrating new and legacy systems into efficient, robust BAS installations. We’ve also become industry leaders in keeping legacy systems in place while unlocking real energy efficiency and savings.
Our experts are ready to work with you on upgrades and integration of any size, so you can maximize operating efficiencies.
Click below to learn about our BAS integration solutions or to request a free quote.
