Building automation

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Building automation (BAS), also known as building management system

(BMS) or building energy management system (BEMS), is the automatic
centralized control of a building's HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning),
electrical, lighting, shading, access control, security systems, and other interrelated
systems. Some objectives of building automation are improved occupant comfort,
efficient operation of building systems, reduction in energy consumption, reduced
operating and maintaining costs and increased security.
BAS functionality may keep a buildings climate within a specified range, provide light
to rooms based on occupancy, monitor performance and device failures, and provide
malfunction alarms to building maintenance staff. A BAS works to reduce building
energy and maintenance costs compared to a non-controlled building. Most
commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings built after 2000 include a BAS,
whilst older buildings may be retrofitted with a new BAS.
A building controlled by a BAS is often referred to as an intelligent building,[1] "smart
building," or (if a residence) a "smart home." Commercial and industrial buildings
have historically relied on robust proven protocols (like BACnet) while proprietary
protocols (like X-10) were used in homes.
Almost all multi-story green buildings are designed to accommodate a BAS for the
energy, air and water conservation characteristics. Electrical device demand
response is a typical function of a BAS, as is the more sophisticated ventilation and
humidity monitoring required of "tight" insulated buildings. Most green buildings also
use as many low-power DC devices as possible. Even a passivhaus design intended
to consume no net energy whatsoever will typically require a BAS to manage heat
capture, shading and venting, and scheduling device use.

Characteristics [edit]
Building management systems are most commonly implemented in large projects
with extensive mechanical, HVAC, and electrical systems. Systems linked to a BMS
typically represent 40% of a building's energy usage; if lighting is included, this
number approaches to 70%. BMS systems are a critical component to managing
energy demand. Improperly configured BMS systems are believed to account for
20% of building energy usage, or approximately 8% of total energy usage in the
United States.[2][3]
In addition to controlling the building's internal environment, BMS systems are
sometimes linked to access control (turnstiles and access doors controlling who is
allowed access and egress to the building) or other security systems such as closed-
circuit television (CCTV) and motion detectors. Fire alarm systems and elevators are
also sometimes linked to a BMS for monitoring. In case a fire is detected then only
the fire alarm panel could close dampers in the ventilation system to stop smoke
spreading, shut down air handlers, start smoke evacuation fans, and send all the
elevators to the ground floor and park them to prevent people from using them.
Building management systems have also included disaster-response mechanisms
(such as base isolation) to save structures from earthquakes. In more recent times,
companies and governments have been working to find similar solutions for flood
zones and coastal areas at-risk to rising sea levels. Self-adjusting floating
environment draws from existing technologies used to float concrete bridges and
runways such as Washington's SR 520 and Japan's Mega-Float.[4]

Types of inputs and outputs[edit]

Sensors[edit]
Analog inputs are used to read a variable measurement. Examples
are temperature, humidity and pressure sensors which could be thermistor, 4–20
mA, 0–10 volt or platinum resistance thermometer (resistance temperature detector),
or wireless sensors.
A digital input indicates a device is on or off. Some examples of digital inputs would
be a door contact switch, a current switch, an air flow switch, or a voltage-
free relay contact (dry contact). Digital inputs could also be pulse inputs counting the
pulses over a period of time. An example is a turbine flow meter transmitting flow
data as a frequency of pulses to an input.
Nonintrusive load monitoring[5] is software relying on digital sensors and algorithms to
discover appliance or other loads from electrical or magnetic characteristics of the
circuit. It is however detecting the event by an analog means. These are extremely
cost-effective in operation and useful not only for identification but to detect start-up
transients, line or equipment faults, etc.[6][7]
Controls[edit]
Analog outputs control the speed or position of a device, such as a variable
frequency drive, an I-P (current to pneumatics) transducer, or a valve or
damper actuator. An example is a hot water valve opening up 25% to maintain
a setpoint. Another example is a variable frequency drive ramping up a motor slowly
to avoid a hard start.
Digital outputs are used to open and close relays and switches as well as drive a
load upon command. An example would be to turn on the parking lot lights when
a photocell indicates it is dark outside. Another example would be to open a valve by
allowing 24VDC/AC to pass through the output powering the valve. Analog outputs
could also be pulse type outputs emitting a frequency of pulses over a given period
of time. An example is an energy meter calculating kWh and emitting a frequency of
pulses accordingly.

Infrastructure[edit]
An example layout of a building automation system

Controller[edit]
Controllers are essentially small, purpose-built computers with input and output
capabilities. These controllers come in a range of sizes and capabilities to control
devices commonly found in buildings, and to control sub-networks of controllers.
Inputs allow a controller to read temperature, humidity, pressure, current flow, air
flow, and other essential factors. The outputs allow the controller to send command
and control signals to slave devices, and to other parts of the system. Inputs and
outputs can be either digital or analog. Digital outputs are also sometimes called
discrete depending on manufacturer.
Controllers used for building automation can be grouped in three categories:
programmable logic controllers (PLCs), system/network controllers, and terminal unit
controllers. However an additional device can also exist in order to integrate third-
party systems (e.g. a stand-alone AC system) into a central building automation
system.
Terminal unit controllers usually are suited for control of lighting and/or simpler
devices such as a package rooftop unit, heat pump, VAV box, fan coil, etc. The
installer typically selects one of the available pre-programmed personalities best
suited to the device to be controlled, and does not have to create new control logic.
Occupancy[edit]
Occupancy is one of two or more operating modes for a building automation system;
Unoccupied, Morning Warmup, and Night-time Setback are other common modes.
Occupancy is usually based on time of day schedules. In Occupancy mode, the BAS
aims to provides a comfortable climate and adequate lighting, often with zone-based
control so that users on one side of a building have a different thermostat (or a
different system, or sub system) than users on the opposite side.
A temperature sensor in the zone provides feedback to the controller, so it can
deliver heating or cooling as needed.
If enabled, morning warmup (MWU) mode occurs prior to occupancy. During
Morning Warmup the BAS tries to bring the building to setpoint just in time for
Occupancy. The BAS often factors in outdoor conditions and historical experience to
optimize MWU. This is also referred to as optimized start.
Some buildings rely on occupancy sensors to activate lighting or climate
conditioning. Given the potential for long lead times before a space becomes
sufficiently cool or warm, climate conditioning is not often initiated directly by an
occupancy sensor.
Lighting[edit]
Lighting can be turned on, off, or dimmed with a building automation or lighting
control system based on time of day, or on occupancy sensor, photosensors and
timers.[8] One typical example is to turn the lights in a space on for a half-hour since
the last motion was sensed. A photocell placed outside a building can sense
darkness, and the time of day, and modulate lights in outer offices and the parking
lot.
Lighting is also a good candidate for demand response, with many control systems
providing the ability to dim (or turn off) lights to take advantage of DR incentives and
savings.
In newer buildings, the lighting control can be based on the field bus Digital
Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI). Lamps with DALI ballasts are fully dimmable.
DALI can also detect lamp and ballast failures on DALI luminaires and signals
failures.
Shading and glazing[edit]
Shading and glazing are essential components in the building system, they affect
occupants’ visual, acoustical, and thermal comfort and provide the occupant with a
view outdoor.[9] Automated shading and glazing systems are solutions for controlling
solar heat gains and glare.[10] It refers to the use of technology to control external or
internal shading devices (such as blinds, and shades) or glazing itself. The system
has an active and rapid response to various changing outdoor data (such as solar,
wind) and to changing interior environment (such as temperature, illuminance, and
occupant demands). Building shading and glazing systems can contribute to thermal
and lighting improvement from both energy conservation and comfort point of view.
Dynamic shading[edit]
Dynamic shading devices allow the control of daylight and solar energy to enter into
built environment in relation to outdoor conditions, daylighting demands and solar
positions.[11] The common products include venetian blinds, roller shades, louvers,
and shutters.[12] They are mostly installed on the interior side of the glazing system
because of the low maintenance cost, but also can be used on the exterior or a
combination of both.[13]
Air Handlers[edit]
Further information: Air handler
Most air handlers mix return and outside air so less temperature/humidity
conditioning is needed. This can save money by using less chilled or heated water
(not all AHUs use chilled or hot water circuits). Some external air is needed to keep
the building's air healthy. To optimize energy efficiency while maintaining
healthy indoor air quality (IAQ), demand control (or controlled) ventilation
(DCV) adjusts the amount of outside air based on measured levels of occupancy.
Analog or digital temperature sensors may be placed in the space or room, the
return and supply air ducts, and sometimes the external air. Actuators are placed on
the hot and chilled water valves, the outside air and return air dampers. The supply
fan (and return if applicable) is started and stopped based on either time of day,
temperatures, building pressures or a combination.
Alarms and Security[edit]
All modern building automation systems have alarm capabilities. It does little good to
detect a potentially hazardous[14] or costly situation if no one who can solve the
problem is notified. Notification can be through a computer (email or text
message), pager, cellular phone voice call, audible alarm, or all of these. For
insurance and liability purposes all systems keep logs of who was notified, when and
how.
Alarms may immediately notify someone or only notify when alarms build to some
threshold of seriousness or urgency. At sites with several buildings, momentary
power failures can cause hundreds or thousands of alarms from equipment that has
shut down – these should be suppressed and recognized as symptoms of a larger
failure. Some sites are programmed so that critical alarms are automatically re-sent
at varying intervals. For example, a repeating critical alarm (of an uninterruptible
power supply in 'bypass') might resound at 10 minutes, 30 minutes, and every 2 to 4
hours thereafter until the alarms are resolved.
Security systems can be interlocked to a building automation system.[14] If occupancy
sensors are present, they can also be used as burglar alarms. Because security
systems are often deliberately sabotaged, at least some detectors or cameras
should have battery backup and wireless connectivity and the ability to trigger alarms
when disconnected. Modern systems typically use power-over-Ethernet (which can
operate a pan-tilt-zoom camera and other devices up to 30–90 watts) which is
capable of charging such batteries and keeps wireless networks free for genuinely
wireless applications, such as backup communication in outage.
Fire alarm panels and their related smoke alarm systems are usually hard-wired to
override building automation. For example: if the smoke alarm is activated, all the
outside air dampers close to prevent air coming into the building, and an exhaust
system can isolate the blaze. Similarly, electrical fault detection systems can turn
entire circuits off, regardless of the number of alarms this triggers or persons this
distresses. Fossil fuel combustion devices also tend to have their own over-rides,
such as natural gas feed lines that turn off when slow pressure drops are detected
(indicating a leak), or when excess methane is detected in the building's air supply.

Buses and protocols[edit]

Most building automation networks consist of a primary and secondary bus which
connect high-level controllers (generally specialized for building automation, but may
be generic programmable logic controllers) with lower-level
controllers, input/output devices and a user interface (also known as a human
interface device). ASHRAE's open protocol BACnet or the open
protocol LonTalk specify how most such devices interoperate. Modern systems
use SNMP to track events, building on decades of history with SNMP-based
protocols in the computer networking world.
Physical connectivity between devices was historically provided by dedicated optical
fiber, ethernet, ARCNET, RS-232, RS-485 or a low-bandwidth special
purpose wireless network. Modern systems rely on standards-based multi-protocol
heterogeneous networking such as that specified in the IEEE 1905.1 standard and
verified by the nVoy auditing mark. These accommodate typically only IP-based
networking but can make use of any existing wiring, and also integrate powerline
networking over AC circuits, power over Ethernet low-power DC circuits, high-
bandwidth wireless networks such as LTE and IEEE 802.11n and IEEE
802.11ac and often integrate these using the building-specific wireless mesh open
standard Zigbee.
Proprietary hardware dominates the controller market. Each company has controllers
for specific applications. Some are designed with limited controls and no
interoperability, such as simple packaged roof top units for HVAC. Software will
typically not integrate well with packages from other vendors. Cooperation is at the
Zigbee/BACnet/LonTalk level only.
Current systems provide interoperability at the application level, allowing users to
mix-and-match devices from different manufacturers, and to provide integration with
other compatible building control systems. These typically rely on SNMP, long used
for this same purpose to integrate diverse computer networking devices into one
coherent network.

Security Concerns[edit]
With the growing spectrum of capabilities and connections to the Internet of Things,
building automation systems were repeatedly reported to be vulnerable, allowing
hackers and cybercriminals to attack their components.[15][16] Buildings can be
exploited by hackers to measure or change their environment:[17] sensors allow
surveillance (e.g. monitoring movements of employees or habits of inhabitants) while
actuators allow to perform actions in buildings (e.g. opening doors or windows for
intruders). Several vendors and committees started to improve the security features
in their products and standards, including KNX, Zigbee and BACnet (see recent
standards or standard drafts). However, researchers report several open problems in
building automation security.[18][19]
On November 11, 2019, a 132-page security research paper was released titled "I
Own Your Building (Management System)" by Gjoko Krstic and Sipke Mellema that
addressed more than 100 vulnerabilities affecting various BMS and access control
solutions by various vendors. [20]

Room automation[edit]
Room automation is a subset of building automation and with a similar purpose; it is
the consolidation of one or more systems under centralized control, though in this
case in one room.
The most common example of room automation is corporate boardroom,
presentation suites, and lecture halls, where the operation of the large number of
devices that define the room function (such as videoconferencing equipment, video
projectors, lighting control systems, public address systems etc.) would make
manual operation of the room very complex. It is common for room automation
systems to employ a touchscreen as the primary way of controlling each operation.

BUILDING AUTOMATION & CONTROLS

Messung provides the entire range of Integrated Building Management System for all types
of buildings, from hospitals to shopping malls, IT and industrial establishments, corporate
buildings, and power stations. Our solutions optimise energy efficiency and comfort in
buildings, all the while reducing operating costs. We deliver innovative solutions for greener
buildings through our passion for innovation, quality, customer satisfaction, and
sustainability.

IBMS
We deliver the new standard in Building Management solutions, designed to meet the highest
norms of green stewardship, scalability and durable performance. Our IOT-enabled BMS
solution provides control and supervision of HVAC, Security, CCTV, Intrusion Alarm and
Fire systems, including Diesel Genset, water pumping systems, and other third party systems,
which are now mandatory in all modern buildings.

Our open solutions provide a sustainable foundation that evolves with your building system's
lifecycle, helping you achieve over 30% savings in energy while maximising occupant
comfort and productivity.
 IOT
The Internet of Things (IOT) is transforming the way we work and live. It allows exchange of
information and data, and enables 24x7 monitoring and remote control of equipment,
systems, buildings and plants. Customised dashboards provide data on different criteria while
advanced analytics help to improve efficiency, response, operation, preventive maintenance,
etc.

The uses and advantages of IOT are endless. Messung adds the power of IOT to their
automation solutions, for effective results.
EMS (ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM)
Hotels, offices, malls, commercial buildings, colleges, schools -all require close monitoring
of energy consumption. Managing this precious resource helps mitigate unjustified power
bills and punitive charges. Typical aims of energy management include restricting wastage,
improving power factor, and keeping peak demand within the sanctioned load.

Messung's Energy Management System (EMS) is an integrated software system designed to

store energy parameters, analyse consumptions, identify areas of wastage, reduce energy
consumption, predict electrical system performance and optimise energy usage to reduce cost
in a premise
LIGHTING
Messung provides a complete solution for “Lighting Management System” (LMS) based on
advanced technology, service and support from a single source - for Airports, Transportation,
Retail, Hospitality, Offices and Residential properties.

Our product range consists of web-based reliable software platform with redundancy option,
shading control systems, visualisations, energy reporting systems and hardware components
like occupancy sensors, photocell sensors, centralised and distributed routers, fixture-
integrated sensors. All products are based on open standards like KNX, DALI, BACnet,
Modbus, SNMP, TCP/IP, etc. Our system supports the latest IoT technologies like MQTT
and OPC UA.
 ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BUILDING
AUTOMATION SYSTEM (BAS)
Building Automation is monitoring and controlling a
building’s systems including:
mechanical, security, fire and flood safety, lighting,
heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

SUCH SYSTEMS CAN:

Keep building climates within a specified range

Light rooms according to an occupancy schedule

Monitor energy performance and device failures in all systems

Alarm facility managers in the event of a malfunction

 o Rewind—the old way of control:he old way of control:

ts
Fast-forward 150 years:

And they’re getting smarter all the time…

THE FOUR CORE FUNCTIONS OF A BUILDING

AUTOMATION SYSTEM

To control the building's environment

 To operate systems according to occupancy and energy demand

To monitor and correct system performance

To alert or sound alarms when needed

1  |  WHAT IS BUILDING AUTOMATION?

A centralized, networked system of hardware and software that monitors and controls
a building’s facility systems (electricity, lighting, plumbing, HVAC, water supply,
etc.).

When facilities are monitored and controlled in a seamless fashion, tenants enjoy a
more comfortable working environment and facility management benefits from
 sustainable practices and reduced energy costs.To alert or sound alarms when
needed

2  |  WHAT IS MEANT BY
“CONTROLLED”?

The key component in a BAS is the controller —

a small, specialized computer with various applications.
Controllers regulate the performance of various facilities within the building.
Traditionally, this includes the following:

 Electrical systems
 Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems
 Lighting systems

 Mechanical systems
 Plumbing systems
 Security systems
 Surveillance systems

fb cr
3  |  THE EVOLUTION OF SMART
BUILDINGS

Building automation has advanced just within our lifetime at a baffling rate.

1950: Automated buildings rely on pneumatic controls with compressed air.

1980s: Microprocessors move the industry from compressed air to analog then digital
controls (nothing short of a revolution).

1990s: Open protocols allow controlled facilities to actually communicate with one another.

2000: Wireless technology allows components to communicate without cable attachments.

2015: Cognitive Buildings extrapolate the most unexpected of data sources—how occupants

use and interact within a structure

2020: IDCM expands on cognitive buildings by extending data from the IT infrastructure

down to the workload and its a"ect on energy and thermal demands on the building

4  |  TERMS TO Understand
Building automation can be like a big game of alphabet soup with
acronyms everywhere. Lynxspring’s VP of Marketing Marc Petock
pointed out on LinkedIn that some people treat many of these terms
as interchangeable. LET’S CLARIFY THIS ISSUE NOW:

BMS / BCS
Building Management System and Building Control System: General terms for
systems that control a building’s facilities (not necessarily automation systems).
DDC
Direct Digital Control: Innovation in the ‘80s brought small, a"ordable
microprocessors enabling a digital system’s components to communicate.
API
Application Programming Interface: The code that defines how two or more pieces
of software communicate with one another.

BAS
Building Automation System: A subset that can be a part of the larger BMS or BCS.
Building management and building automation have so thoroughly overlapped that the terms
are used interchangeably.

EMS / EMCS
Energy Management System and Energy Management Control System: Energy
consumption, metering, etc. There’s enough overlap between what a BAS and an EMS do
that we consider these terms synonymous.

IDCM
Integrated Data Center Management: Is the integration between BMS/BAS, DCIM
solutions and IT operations. It is a deep integration between data center critical facilities
infrastructure, the resources (e.g. servers, switches, assets, etc.) within the data center and the
application workloads running there.er, the terminology is bound to be in a state of

5  |  HOW DO BUILDING AUTOMATION

SYSTEMS WORK?

BASIC BAS HAS FIVE ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS:

SENSORS
Devices that measure values such as CO2 output, temperature, humidity, daylight or
room occupancy.
 CONTROLLERS
The brains of the systems that take data from sensors and decide how the system will
respond.

OUTPUT DEVICES
These carry out the commands from the controller. Examples: relays and actuators.

COMMUNICATION
PROTOCOLS
The language spoken among the components of the BAS. Example: BACnet.

DASHBOARD OR
USER INTERFACE
Screens or interfaces humans use to interact with the BAS where building data are
reported.

Most BAS activity takes place out of sight with controllers and output devices
hidden from view, just as wiring and plumbing.
 6  |  THE ROLE OF CONTROLLERS

The brains of the BAS, digital controllers receive input data, apply logic (an
algorithm, just as Google does with search data) to that information, then send out a
command based on what information was processed.

This is best illustrated through the following basic three-part DDC loop...

7  |  WHY ARE BUILDING AUTOMATION

SYSTEMS USEFUL?

COMFORT AND PRODUCTIVITY

Smarter control of the building’s environment keep occupants happier. It also reduces
complaints and resolution time.

SAVING MONEY

A BAS can save a building owner a significant amount of money on utility bills, since
a more energy-efficient building simply costs less to run.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

BAS efficiencies equate to a reduced environmental impact which means better air quality for
everyone.

And when IDCM is integrated

Increase Efficiency
Increased efficiency of power, cooling, and space by allowing critical infrastructure to
reflect application behavior, such as idle periods or reduced loads
 Improved Effectiveness
Improved effectiveness of facility and IT personnel as changes or maintenance can be
pinpointed, with known e"ects throughout the computing environment

Reduced Risk
Reduced risk of outages or breaches due to poor capacity or asset management
processes.

Improved Uptime
Improved uptime and efficiency by simulating critical infrastructure in software for planning,
operations optimization, and failure scenarios
What Is Building Automation?

Building automation is the use of automation and control systems to monitor and
control building-wide systems, such as HVAC, lighting, alarms, and security access
and cameras. Converging these systems into a single IT-managed network
infrastructure creates a smart building. Smart buildings often use Power over
Ethernet (Po E) to power and connect Io T devices and sensors.

How does building automation work?

Building automation use sensors and controls to monitor and adjust a building's three
types of utilities: electricity, heating and air-conditioning, and water and sewer.

Common examples are:

· Thermostats to control room temperature

· Occupancy sensors to control lighting
· Humidity sensors
· Fire and smoke detectors
Automation of building utilities has evolved at different rates. Typically, each utility
system has been controlled separately. More recently, building management
systems (BMS)—also known as building automation systems (BAS)—have been
developed to help resolve the issue of siloed operations. These systems combine
the control of various building automation functions into common control interfaces.

Using the fourth utility—in this case, a building's data network—smart building
systems take building automation to the next level. They do so by not only
connecting but also interconnecting sensors and devices to work in coordination,
sharing data that helps to manage the building's ecosystem in real time.

Leveraging building data and applying artificial intelligence and machine learning
(AI/ML) to the data makes the building both programmable and responsive to the
needs of the users and the building manager.

Is building automation new?

Not at all. One of the first notable instances of "building automation" was in the
1880s, when an American professor devised a thermostat to control temperatures in
his school classroom. The thermostat concept dates to the 1620s, when a Dutch
inventor developed a device to moderate temperatures in an egg incubator.

Using a building's data network to power and interconnect its operational functions,
however, is a recent innovation. The rapid evolution of technologies such as PoE,
sensors, and new LED lighting has driven this trend.

What's the role of PoE in building automation and smart buildings?

As PoE evolved from delivering 15W to 90W of power across Ethernet cabling, the
numbers and types of devices that it can power and connect have grown
dramatically. Using PoE to power devices also offers greater location flexibility and
lower cost to deploy and operate them than using AC power.
In a smart building, PoE can power and connect devices that are critical to building
automation. Among those devices are sensors and controllers, lighting, heating and
cooling systems, elevators, fire alarms, and shades.

Benefits of building automation

Lower operational costs

A smart building automation system can leverage data that it collects to help reduce
costs. For example, it can help reduce use of electric lighting by adjusting shades to
let in more natural light. Such lighting management has been proved to lower power
usage dramaally. 

Lower energy costs

Connecting building equipment such as lighting, shades, and HVAC systems

enables building operators to automatically adjust temperature, shades, and lighting
based on time of day and occupancy. In turn, buildings can become more energy-
efficient to meet or exceed stringent regulations for greenhouse-gas emissions.  

More flexibility to adjust workspaces

Smart building data can be used, for example, to detect changes in occupancy
density. The building's HVAC systems then adjust airflow, humidity, and temperature
appropriately.

Or lighting color could change to indicate too many people in a conference room,
workspace, or building when the space's occupancy exceeds density thresholds.

Building data can also support a

 Building Management System
A building management system (BMS), otherwise known as a building automation
system (BAS), is a computer-based control system installed in buildings that controls
and monitors the building's mechanical and electrical equipment such as ventilation,
lighting, power systems, fire systems, and security systems.

A BMS consists of software and hardware; the software program, usually configured in
a hierarchical manner, can be proprietary, using such protocols as C-Bus, Profibus, and
so on. Vendors are also producing a BMS that integrates the use of Internet protocols
and open standards such as DeviceNet, SOAP, XML, BACnet, LonWorks and
Modbus.

ELV PROJECTS

Extra-low voltage (ELV) is an electricity supply voltage in a range which carries a

low risk of dangerous electrical shock. There are various standards that define extra-
low voltage. The International Electrotechnical Commission member organizations and
the UK IET (BS 7671:2008) define an ELV device or circuit as one in which the
electrical potential between conductor or electrical conductor and earth(ground) does
not exceed 50 V a.c. or 120 V d.c. (ripple free). EU's Low Voltage Directive applies
from 50 V a.c. or 75 V d.c.
 IEC voltage range AC RMS voltage (V) DC voltage (V) Defining risk

High voltage 1000 1500 Electrical arcing

Low voltage 50 to 1000 120 to 1500 Electrical shock

Extra-low voltage 50 120 Low risk

 Separated or safety extra-low voltage (SELV)

 Protected extra-low voltage (PELV)

 Functional extra-low voltage (FELV)

 UK Reduced low voltage (RLV)

 Stand-alone power systems

MEP PROJECTS

Mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) refers to these aspects of building

design and construction. In commercial buildings these aspects are often designed by
an engineering firm specializing in MEP. MEP design is important for design decision-
making, accurate documentation, performance and cost-estimation, construction
planning, managing and operating the resulting facility[1]. Building Categorized Revit
software is used in MEP.

Out Solutions are customized and articulated to cater specific scenario, we provide
simple, cost-effective, and easy-to-use and maintain solution. We have done many such
deployments and vast experience helped us build skill set for design & deploy the
solution.
Construction planning and scheduling – A guide

Construction planning and scheduling: a quick intro

Construction planning and scheduling are key aspects in integrating all your construction
activities and phases needed to complete a given construction project at a given budget and
time frame. Although having individual functions, planning and scheduling are inseparable
when it comes to successful project management.
Construction planning essentially covers the choosing of relevant policies, procedures, and
processes to achieve your project goals. Construction scheduling adapts your construction
project action plans for scope, time, cost, and quality into a functioning calendar. This
process of adaptation of the project specifications including requirements for resources
(labour, equipment, materials, etc.), communications, risks, and procurement into an
operational workflow system is critical for your project team.
Together with your project plan and budget, your schedule becomes your central tool for
managing your projects. Additionally, having an integrated or coordinated cost-time schedule
functions as your foundation for monitoring and controlling activities all throughout your
project’s life cycle.

Why construction planning and scheduling are

important
Proper construction planning and scheduling are important in ensuring that your construction
project gets completed on time and within budget. A thoroughly planned construction
schedule not only outlines the pace of your work but it dictates how your work gets done. It
also helps define your processes, methods, and sequences for when materials are put in place.
Preparing your construction schedule meticulously and ahead of time maximises your
efficiency and productivity. As your construction schedule allows you to improve your
quality control measures, it is effortless to sequence work and to ensure you have the correct
quality and quantity of materials used in each step.
Materials and resources procurement is on track as you can use your schedule to purchase the
right materials exactly when you need them. Safety performance is improved as you use your
schedule to track which worker is on site and make sure that protection guidelines are
properly followed.
Having a reliable construction schedule also allows you to allocate your time better among all
your project stakeholders, which helps them plan their activities better. By getting total
control of your project, you reduce unpleasant surprises, making it easy to avoid cost
overruns and delays.
What is construction planning?
Construction planning is essential in managing and executing your construction projects as it
involves selecting the technology, defining the work tasks, estimating the required resources
and extent of individual tasks, and identifying possible interactions and workflows among
different activities.
An efficient construction plan is fundamental in setting your budget and schedule for the
entire work needed. Creating and developing the construction plan is a highly challenging
and critical task in construction management.
You have to develop the technical aspects and on top of that, you have to make organisational
decisions about relationships between project stakeholders and even the subcontractors you
will have to include.
However, it isn’t enough just to track and use construction data for a single project. Real
estate developers especially benefit from storing their data over a long period. For example,
one of the best reasons to maintain CRE data (or commercial real estate data) is because it
allows for better decision-making.
According to The Constructor, a civil engineering informational resource website, there are
three major types of construction project planning:
1. Strategic planning
It involves a high-level selection of project objectives. Strategic planning is usually done by
the project owner’s corporate planners. In order to achieve the owner’s project goals, they
decide what project to build and the completion deadline with the project teams developing
the master construction execution plan that falls within the guidelines set in the strategic and
contracting plans.
2. Operational planning
It involves detailed planning by the construction teams to meet the project’s strategic
objectives. Before the project teams can detail the construction schedule, they have to go
through a series of questions so they can prepare the construction master plan:
 Will the operational plan meet the strategic planning target date?
 Are sufficient construction resources and services available within the company to meet the
project objectives?
 What is the impact of the new project on the existing workload?
 Where will we get the resources to handle any overload?
 What company policies may prevent the plan from meeting the target date?
 Are usually long delivery equipment or materials involved?
 Are the project concepts and design firmly established and ready to start the construction?
 Is the original contracting plan still valid?
 Will it be more economical to use a fast-track scheduling approach?

3. Scheduling
It involves a detailed operational plan set on a time frame as per the strategic objectives.

What are the first steps in planning a construction

project?
The classic approach to developing a construction plan, which is the basis for modern
construction planning, is based on the 1998 published book, Project Management for
Construction by Chris Hendrickson. The common development strategy is to adopt a primary
emphasis on either cost control or on schedule control.
Construction planning may be cost or expense oriented, or schedule oriented. With cost-
oriented project planning, there is a distinction between costs incurred directly in the
performance of an activity and indirectly for the accomplishment of the project. Indirect costs
may include borrowed expenses for project financing and overhead items. For schedule
oriented planning, the emphasis is on the schedule of project activities over time, and this is
considered critical.
Read also:How to ensure that your 3-6 week planning
will be delivered faster
The planning is focused on ensuring that proper precedences among activities are followed
and maintained and that scheduling of resources is done in an efficient manner. This results in
critical path scheduling procedures (the maintenance of seamless workflows) and job shop
scheduling processes (the efficient use of resources over time). Whichever your construction
planning is centred on, effective delivery, schedule, and budget is always intertwined and are
both major concerns.
Once you have figured out your planning emphasis, it is time to consider all other functional
requirements for your construction planning.
1. Choosing which technology and construction methods to utilise. Your choice of the
right technology and construction methods are critical aspects in the success of your project
execution. Your decision whether to make concrete structures on site or order pre-fabricated
ones will directly affect the cost and duration of tasks involved in the construction process.
Finding the right digital solution for your project will be decisive for how productive your
team is as it will directly affect the time it takes for the various activities to be completed and
the flow from one activity to another by cutting down on unnecessary administrative tasks.
2. Defining work tasks and activities. Because construction planning determines your
construction scheduling, defining various work tasks is vital in framing the schedule of your
construction activities. In that way, you can estimate the resources needed and timetable the
required sequences and critical paths among tasks. Defining appropriate work tasks is tedious
but a necessity in applying formal scheduling processes and in standardising specific tasks.
Once tasks are defined correctly, a hierarchy of activities emerge which can be visualised like
this example of activities in a roadway project plan:
3. Defining relationships and critical flow among activities. After work activities are
defined, you can now specify the relationships among them. Precedence relations between
tasks and activities mean that activities must happen in particular sequences. Numerous
natural sequences exist for construction activities due to requirements for structural integrity,
regulations, and other technical requirements.
4. Estimating activity durations. Remember, each work activity is associated with time
duration and these durations are the bases for preparing the schedule. All formal scheduling
relies on duration estimates as well as the defined precedence relations. A realistic estimation
coupled with historical records of particular tasks and activities is critical in avoiding delays.
5. Estimating resource requirements for work activities. Besides precedence relations and
time durations, resource requirements are also estimated for each activity. By correctly
estimating resource requirements per activity based on their comprehensive definitions,
particular resource requirements for the entirety of the project can be also defined while
avoiding issues with resource allocation and procurement problems.
6. Establishing a coding system. Having a coding system for each of the identified activities
allows for better integration of organisation efforts and better information flow. A coding
system allows you to standardise definitions and categories of items and activities between
projects and among project stakeholders. Coding systems also make it easy to retrieve
historical data of cost, productivity, and duration of your activities. Couple this with a
construction management software that keeps all your data in a central location makes your
coding system even more efficient.
These steps are needed to develop a proper construction plan and allow you to transform your
plan into a schedule. Construction planning is not limited to the period after you have been
awarded a contract. It should be an essential and continuous activity even during your facility
design.

What are the five phases of

construction?
There are five major phases in a standard construction project where construction planning
and scheduling play critical roles:
1. Initiation. In this phase, your project idea is evaluated to determine its feasibility and
whether or not, it should be undertaken. This is the beginning of the life of a project where
the project objectives are identified and defined.
2. Planning. This phase includes the further development of the project and outlining the
details needed to meet the project goals. In this phase, you identify all the work needed to
be done, the tasks and resources required, and the strategy to make all of them possible.
Usually, a project budget is prepared by the project manager to provide cost estimates for
labour, equipment, and materials. Once every planning detail is determined, they should all
be documented in a quality plan that also shows the targets, assurance, control measures,
building codes, and even customer criteria. By this time, the project would be ready for
execution.
3.  Execution. Welcome to the implementation phase where the project plan is put into motion
on site. Project control and communication are essential during the execution phase. The
project manager has the power to control the project’s direction through progress reports
and activity performance. Any deviation from the plan has to be addressed and corrected.
The goal of action is to never deviate from the original plan that’s why progress should
always be reported on time.
4. Monitoring. The monitoring phase happens simultaneously with the execution phase and
covers all progress and performance measurement related to tracking and ensuring that the
project is going according to the construction plan and schedule.
5. Closure. Once all project aspects have been delivered and the client has agreed, the project
is now ready for closure. This phase involves all activities related to the final handover to the
customer.

Conclusion
To be successful with your construction projects, careful planning is needed to create a
schedule that will allow you to deliver your projects on time and within budget. Both
construction planning and scheduling take a lot of time to create and implement but the time
you will save during the actual work will be more than the time you spent creating your plan
and schedule.