BMS EXPLAINED

BMS stands for Building Management System. With the current emphasis on energy saving this is often known as BEMS (Building Energy Management Systems).

This is an automatic control system that works behind the scenes in a building to not only give the required conditions for the occupants, but to do so in the most energy frugal way. The system controls or interfaces with aspects of the building that affect the comfort or safety of the occupants, or the energy usage. Examples of this are:

• Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
• Lighting & Sunblind Control
• Security and Access systems
• Fire systems
• Utility Metering and Energy displays

The system can display current energy usage and provide historical data also, with graphs and charts.

The system can monitor and control numerous buildings and centralise the control not only within the individual buildings, but also to a remote off-site PC. Out of hours the responsible person can access the system via the internet, as well as receive alarms in various forms such as email or SMS.

This may sound very complicated but a user friendly PC based graphical interface can be provided to give easy and simple access to the essential settings. Differing levels of access can be set-up on the system for individual users.

Systems can now be linked to mobile phones and tablet via apps for on the move information and control. Wireless systems can be installed where the building fabric would prevent the installation of cables.