(AG Real estate) Siemens Intelligent Buildings

Intelligent building is a term that is used to define a facility with complex technical systems that, mutually connected, enable comfort and security with maximal energy saving and minimal number of workers.

Structure of the technical systems, their basic functions and mutual relations will be explained in this text. Individual systems will be more thoroughly presented in the following issues of AG Real Estates magazine.

Shortage of office space that satisfies the criteria of foreign companies led to very dynamic construction of new business facility in Serbia in the past few years. In addition to business buildings, trade centers, hotels and sports facilities are also being built. Newly built facilities typically meet world standards concerning quality and technical equipment. Expected high level of comfort and security in the buildings is ensured by the complex technical systems.

When investing in construction of a facility, one should know that one of the key parameters is the analysis of how much time is needed for the invested money to return as a profit brought by the facility. Successful facility management is trying to make maximal difference between the incomes realized by the facility and the expenses required for normal functioning of the facility.

Commercial facility management refers to the activities related to the facility lease, maximal use of the facility capacities, as well as collecting of payment for the expenses of use of the facility.

Infrastructural facility management refers to management of the facility cleaning services, security services and all related services in the facility. This segment has great importance in the very structure of expenses of the facility. Dynamic development of the companies that deal with this segment of the facility management is expected in the following period.

Technical facility management is the management of all technical systems within facility. Technical systems in the facility can be grouped into the systems that deal with the facility security and the system that deal with automation of mechanical and electrical installations in the facility.

All three segments of facility management together makes an unity. Mutual connection and exchange of information between the three segments of management ensure maximally successful functioning of the facility.

Each of the technical systems can have different complexity, depending on the purpose, users and location of the facility.

Central Supervision and Management System computer (CSMS) unites all data from the technical systems. CSMS enables tracking of data from the technical systems, giving of orders, analysis of work and service functions. There is a big number of CSMS computers in more complex buildings for information security reasons and because of the need for system access by larger number of operators on different locations in the facility.

Security technical systems encompass following subsystems:

· Fire protection system– detects fire by means of fire sensors. In case of fire, it activates alarm, extinguishing and smoke removal systems, and it turns off air conditioning system;

· Anti-burglary system – detects burglary and forwards the information to the selected destination;

· Video surveillance system – uses video cameras to supervise facility by zones. When it detects certain events, like when a person stays in one of the zones for a longer time, recording is switched on and appropriate warning is forwarded to the system operator;

· Access control system – most often uses card systems for access control. In that case, the card enables entrance to the parts of the facility that the card holder is allowed to use;

· Evacuation system – accelerates and ensures leaving of the facility in case of some emergency situation;

· Gas detection system – detects increased concentration of gases (in garages, for example), forwards that information and carries out necessary operation (aeration);

Technical automation systems control mechanical installations in the facility. Lately, these systems also control lights and distribution of energy in the facility.

Technical automation systems encompass following subsystems:

· Air conditioning, heating, cooling and ventilation system – centrally prepares fuels that enable comfortable stay in the facility. It controls temperature, moisture, quantity of fresh air.

· Room automation system – controls air conditioning and light in every room. It significantly contributes to greater individual comfort (user individually sets desirable parameters) and saves energy.

· Light control system – centrally controls lighting system in the facility.

· System for control and analysis of energy consumption – makes sure that the energy in the facility is spent in an optimal way.

Users’ Expectations

Siemens Building Technologies, SBT, deals with technical systems in the buildings. In 2002, with the help of GfK Marktforschung, SBT did the analysis of users’ requests concerning technical systems in buildings. Participants in the analysis were:

· End users

· Planners

· General contractors and

· Technical personnel who maintain the system

General conclusions that resulted from the research are:

· What users expect from the integration of technical systems is, first of all, reduction of prices and expenses (integrated system is cheaper and more efficient than the group of individual systems), and then there is expectation of greater reliability and simpler use of the system.

· The advantages of use of integrated technical systems are: easier system management, time saving, system maintenance price reduction and positive financial effects.

Andrej Škorc, M.Sc.E.E.

BAU/HVP Technical Department Manager

Siemens d.o.o. Beograd

andrej.skorc@siemens.com

source :