into LED lighting systems, can
provide early detection of potential
hazards including changes in air
quality or rooms exceeding
occupancy limits. Advances in
lighting have created the capability
to wirelessly communicate with
occupants, which might be used
to aid in wayfinding or emergency
evacuations. Networked systems
can make building data available
over devices not previously capable
of accessing such information. The
management systems can facilitate
powerful analytics by looking at the
impact of one system on another.
IBs offer real-time information,
which when displayed to those
on site can educate and impact
occupants’ behavior. IBs may
even go further, using artificial
intelligence to predict future events
and needs by learning from the big
data that is collected through time.
Define - Design - Deliver
Intelligent
Buildings
Initiatives
Social – Sustainable – Purpose
Experience
Comfort – Safety – Security – Efficiency
Connected Building Systems
Fire Systems AV Systems BMS/BAS
Security Elevators Wayfinding Access Control
Visitor Info
Lighting Plumbing HVAC Electrical Facilities & IT
March/April 2019 I 9
FIGURE 2: ANSI/BICSI 007-2017 is
the go to standard for intelligent building
ICT standards and best practices.
According to the ANSI/BICSI
007-2017: Information
Communication Technology Design
and Implementation Practices for
Intelligent Buildings and Premises
standard (Figure 2), intelligent
buildings are those where
building systems use ICT
to connect and share data
between building systems.
Operational benefits, such as
system management and energy
efficiency, where savings can
be easily calculated, should
be considered the fundamentals
of basic IBs. Building elements
(Figure 3)commonly benefitting
by such interconnection include
BAS, security systems and lighting.
The interconnected systems record
and provide ongoing data about
the building conditions, systems,
and devices. At a minimum,
monitoring triggers alerts
if the system(s)
perform outside
of set parameters.
When utilized
as part of an IB,
the gathered data
is analyzed and
sets into motion
automatic system responses. For
example, feedback about HVAC
performance within an IB can
enable analysis and maintenance
before system failure. Today, sensors
in smart lighting can monitor space
usage. Occupancy monitoring can
allow for the evaluation of meeting
rooms. Analysis is applied to
understand if a conference room
is in high demand, correlating
to what features it offers and how
these features can be enabled
in other spaces. Occupancy
monitoring and prediction can
reduce lighting and HVAC needs
as well.
While basic IBs often provide
valuable energy efficiency, more
advanced IBs add elements that
can provide increased safety,
comfort, occupant productivity,
and collaboration. Networked
sensors, such as those integrated
System Integration - Functionality
FIGURE 3: The intelligent building pyramid illustrates various important IB elements.