Introduction to Building Management System (BMS)

Building Management Systems (BMS) also known as Building Automation Systems (BAS) and Building Management and Control Systems (BMCS). BMS systems are microprocessor based controller network which installed to monitor and control a building technical systems and services as Electrical system, Heat, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, Lighting Systems, Plumbing Systems and Fire Systems. Other than those systems, CCTV system, Public Addressing System (PA system), Access control system, Lifts, Generators and Solar system also connect to the BMS system via different communication protocols such as Mod-bus, Lonwork, C-bus..etc. So that all systems will work as total integrated system. Some systems are fully controlled by BMS systems but some systems monitoring only.

BMS systems are based on open communication protocol named BACnet protocol, which we will discuss later. Also new BMS systems are web enabled  so those BMS systems can access from anywhere in the world. 

This microprocessor based controllers are called as Direct Digital Controllers (DDC controllers), Those controllers can divide into few categories such as manager or supervisory controllers, Application controllers and sensor modules. The controller architecture will vary according to the vendor. I have worked with different suppliers such as Delta Controls, Tran Controllers, Lutron Controllers and Reliable Controllers. So In future logs I am going to discuss more deeply about each products and their system architectures.

Normally BMS system controls day to day operations in the building. Ex. Controlling HVAC system, Controlling lights ( according to the motion or time based), monitoring fire system, plumbing system..etc. Also measure performance of the building such as electric power consumption, air conditioning usage, plumbing usage ..ect. 

Most common function of the BMS system is controlling HVAC system. For HVAC, BMS will control, Ari Handling Units (AHU), Chillers, Cooling towers, Condenser water pumps, Chilled water pumps, Heating water plants, Exhaust system, Zone controls, Server Room AC ..etc. And realtime monitoring of building operations and performance, trending and logging of building operations and performance, time scheduling for operations such as HVAC, lighting..etc, Managing faults and alarming faults. when we considering zone controls, zone temperature monitoring and controlling, zone variable air volume (VAV) control, zone CO2 level monitoring and controlling..etc. 

Today I write very basic idea of the BMS system. later i am writing more and deep details with my first hand experiences and issues I came across during the installation, programming and commissioning works.