Smart buildings are becoming increasingly more common, meaning that the presence of building management systems (BMS) has never been more essential.
But, what many of us don’t know is that these computer-based systems would be nothing without the plethora of sensors that are needed to optimise an asset’s performance. Stacey Lucas, Commercial and Marketing Director of smart sensor supplier, Sontay sheds light on the importance of building sensors and what makes them the hidden workforce of any building management system.
With most of the UK population spending their time indoors – and not just because its winter – the quality of the air we breathe and the comfort we require continues to rank high on the agenda. Whether at work or home, ventilation, temperature and pressure regulation contribute to maintaining an atmospheric happy medium. It goes without
saying that the healthier we feel the more productive we can be. As people go about their daily lives, seldom are they aware of a room’s comfortability unless something is not quite right. To maintain optimum conditions, sensors can control a myriad of elements that affect our indoor climate including temperature, which in relation to an office environment is found to be around 22°C. However, relative humidity, if not managed correctly can make a room feel hotter or colder than the actual temperature reading. A sensor is vital in overcoming this issue by providing data to a
BMS, managing humidity levels and ensuring an ideal 50% reading is maintained.
This is just one example of the many ways that sensors assure the perfect indoor environment is obtained. Another would be in terms of air quality. Airborne volatile organic compounds (VOC) are pollutants found in paints and other building materials and are known to have a detrimental effect. The same harmful chemicals are also present in hand sanitisers, aggressive cleaning products and detergents; the demand for which has been unprecedented since the onset of the coronavirus. Air quality sensors are able to measure VOC levels and alert occupants of the need to take action
when a potentially hazardous reading is recorded – proving that these small but mighty devices can work wonders when optimising the performance of a building.
Devil in the detail
One or two sensors on a wall in a building are responsible for responding to and monitoring all the conditions of any controlled space. On the other side of the wall behind the scenes, there are scores of devices that are constantly managing the conditions of a controlled space. Air handling units are responsible for supplying and circulating air around a building, and also have to extract stale air from the premises. If fresh air is introduced into a building to ventilate a certain room, if it is freezing cold outside, the temperature of the air will have to be increased. It may also need to be filtered or dehumidified.
Here, sensors come into their own, testing and monitoring the air so that data can be used to change the conditions of the controlled space. There will be sensors measuring the humidity and temperature of the air, sending information to the controller and in turn to the air handling unit on the other side so that air can be cooled and particles directed
out. There’s an entire operation going on behind the scenes, of which sensors play an essential role in detecting whether an indoor environment is comfortable for occupants.
The industry is at a turning point in how this data is communicated right now. The traditional analogue style communication is still commonplace in many projects and applications but there is a rise in the use of devices that communicate over data protocols such as BACnet and Modbus. These devices and protocols are known as
“smart” in the industry and also tie into the rise in discussion about “Smart Buildings” to describe a building having ambient conditions managed and controlled by sensors and BMS.
Produce valuable data
When specifying any product or system, designers and consultants need to be sure that the equipment will perform as efficiently as possible. It is why access to accurate, reliable data detected initially by a sensor will ensure products endure the test of time and help maintain the optimum environment for inhabitants. In a world where it can be
hard to detect which data is of value, sensors cut through the noise to provide real-time data that is of benefit to a building and its occupants.
As well as assuring a system works efficiently once installed, a consultant must also
consider whether the products they have specified will perform as intended. On handover, sensors give eventual asset owners more control over the performance of a building and its energy usage; a benefit that not only helps reduce heating and lighting costs, it facilitates a significant reduction in a building’s carbon footprint. As well as assuring quality, performance and efficiency, sensors could be a factor in driving environmental-initiatives, such as the UK government’s pledge for carbon-neutral status by 2050. As the industry moves towards greater carbon neutrality, the demand for solutions which can measure and enhance performance will increase.
Becoming ever more essential to the way smart buildings are designed and managed, the humble sensor is a valuable construction technology that is of benefit to entire supply chains. Playing a key role in optimising building performance and energy efficiency, the age of the smart sensor is now – and it is definitely here to stay.