FEATURE
INTELLIGENT BUILDINGS: the
ncreasingly stringent energy efficiency relocation should consider the control which allows separate heating
I
regulations mean that the role of the opportunities presented by intelligent settings for different areas of the building,
facilities manager is ever more building technologies. combined with intelligent lighting
complex. The challenge is on to find management, KNX can deliver a massive
innovative ways of cutting energy KNX SOLUTION reduction in energy consumption, which
usage and costs in line with legislation To achieve this level of ‘intelligence’, varies depending on each business case.
and to improve the bottom line. One way systems are required to talk a common
this can be influenced is through language on a common platform. KNX is SIGNIFICANT ENERGY SAVINGS
intelligent building controls. an international building control Standard Alan Vickery, Managing Director at
Using intelligent building controls can that puts the ‘intelligence’ into intelligent Systems Integrator EnTech, which installs
be extremely beneficial to the functioning buildings. Adopted by the leading KNX supplied through Siemens, believes
of Building Management Systems. The manufacturers in Europe, including that this system has a significant role to
purpose is to control, monitor and optimise Siemens, KNX enables the integration and play on the future on building
building services, for example: lighting; programming of a range of products from management. “Within the office
heating; security, CCTV and alarm a range of manufacturers. It is easy to fit – environment lighting represents around
systems; access control; audio-visual and just a simple twin-core ‘highway’ cable 40% of energy costs. Most modern business
entertainment systems; ventilation, filtration (installed in addition to the mains cabling); premises have lots of windows and
and climate control and so on. none of the layers of cables associated therefore plenty of natural light, meaning
The potential within intelligent building with conventionally cabled systems. that it is possible to maintain relevant
control and the associated technology is One of the key benefits of KNX is its health and safety requirements while using
vast and holds significant future promise. ability to deliver significant energy savings. less artificial light, and therefore less
Once the initial ‘platform’ is installed, the This can be achieved through the control energy. Automated lighting control can
available functions are numerous and are of both heating and lighting. For example, manage the precise lux output needed.
constantly being developed and advanced. a lighting control system can be set up for “The benefit of KNX is that its an open
Additions to the system can be connected constant light control allowing a set value protocol which will integrate into any
at any point in the future meaning there is of light to be maintained throughout the building management system – as
no danger of the technology becoming day, add on/off control and further savings opposed to many lighting systems which
outdated. can be obtained. The control system are closed and can’t be linked up to HVAC
The impact on facilities planning and provides users with a highly cost-effective and automated blinds.”
facilities management is also potentially way of ensuring that energy is conserved.
immense. Any facilities managers Using features such as room temperature FUTURE PROOFING
considering premises development or site management and zoned temperature The installation of an intelligent
KEEN TO BE GREEN?
E
veryone wants to be green, but without boardroom. And as society’s expectations But the environmental agenda is a
a systematic way of measuring the increase, so organisations are likely to brave and often complex new world; and
environmental impact of buildings, find themselves under pressure to be more a recognised good practice ‘way of doing
property and facilities professionals accountable for their environmental and things’ is highly desirable. Especially if it
around the world will remain in the dark. social conduct. can help support the information
Fortunately help is at hand. The industry Facilities managers are likely to find disclosure requirements that stakeholders
now has its own environmental themselves at the frontline of this agenda, are coming to expect. The Environment
measurement standard, the IPD with a real opportunity to lead the way. Code helps to provide this support.
Environment Code. But what is the Code? For example, did you know that 50% of The Code has good pedigree.
And how can it help? the average business’s carbon emissions Produced by IPD, the world’s number one
come from the buildings they occupy? property analysis firm, it has strong
THE GREEN CHALLENGE Not to forget that real estate is also support from top global firms such as
With more and more scientific responsible for consuming huge volumes Barclays, BP, CB Richard Ellis and Bureau
evidence showing the global effects of of freshwater and for generating vast Veritas as well as endorsement from
climate change, waste generation and quantities of waste – both increasingly leading representative organisations the
resource depletion, environmental issues important environmental concerns. CBI, RICS, CoreNet, BIFM and BRE – all
have been catapulted to the top of the keen to support industry good practice
global political agenda. GREEN IN THE BOARDROOM and to raise the profile of environmental
Governments and societies around the Given this context, it is almost a racing issues.
world are uniting on the need to tackle certainty that corporate boards will be
these challenges and reduce the negative asking their property and facilities GREEN MEASUREMENT
environmental effects associated with our executives to supply more detailed and But what is the Environment Code?
resource hungry lifestyles. higher quality environmental information Well, it’s a free-to-download resource that
Not surprisingly, this worldwide focus to prove their environmental performance. provides users with a standardised
has pushed environmental issues up the Shareholders, customers and employees template for the collection, measurement
corporate agenda and into the will all want to know the hard facts. and analysis of environmental
18|
SUSTAINABLE FM | APRIL 2008
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44