Consulting-Specifying Engineer - March 2009 - (Page 24) Fiber optic backbone radial system (building to building) Fiber optic backbone loop system (through buildings) Integrated Division 17 structure Future building extensions Telecommunications Software: Integration Hardware: Capacity (bandwidth and pathways), structured cabling, management systems Oratory Central plant Undergraduate housing (four buildings) Student activity center Copper backup backbone Voice, data, media, security Network operation center (NOC) Fire alarm Campus Paging, Telephone (VoIP), PDA/pocket page Central notification systems Central alarms, Science, math, and technology Library Integrated Division 17 systems Students and staff: Smart card, Video distribution, Professional sound, Distance learning, Teleconferencing, Educational T.V. Students and staff systems Management support systems Administration: Email, MIS (bursar, registration), Word processing Source: Cannon Design Data center 1 (library) PBX NOC (library) Data center 2 (student activities center) Life safety and facilities systems Facilities office: Fire alarm, Telephone (VoIP), Security (CCTV, card access, door monitoring), BAS (temperature control/alarms), Lighting control, EPMS/UPS, FMMS AMU Division 17 campus distribution portraying redundancy AMU Division 17 campus management concepts The integration team Architects, engineers, and facilities managers have been working to integrate building infrastructure systems and produce smart buildings for many years. Although the technology to solve those problems has finally arrived, the job remains difficult because so few examples exist to guide the way. The philosophy behind Division 17 is to avoid locking into systems provided by individual manufacturers. At the AMU campus, the architects, engineers, and facilities manager worked through a complex set of challenges to reach the goal of integrated multiple nonproprietary systems in all buildings across campus. Absent a facility director early in the project, the IT director worked with a team—including a software integrator, and mechanical and electrical engineers—to drive the integration. The IT and software expertise proved invaluable in analyzing and determining the appropriate communications protocols for the project’s different parts. The integration team selected LonWorks due to its ability to operate with multiple manufacturers and communicate down to the device level. LonWorks enabled nonproprietary devices to function with the installed control system, reducing equipment costs. As the system of choice, LonWorks devices provide the necessary communications for many of the buildings’ systems. A few systems, however, employ alternative communication protocols. These systems required gateways to translate data from one protocol to another. For example, BACnet is used for the temperature control system, and Modbus handles the electrical system. The key was to limit the use of gateways to ensure reliable data translation between systems, which resulted in a more dependable solution for the campus’ operation. The project did not follow a conventional approach to commissioning. Instead, the IT/facilities director set a series of benchmarks designed to make the integrated system function as efficiently as possible. The system efficiency continues to develop as the university progresses into its second year of operation on the new site. Monitored utility costs are compared to campus historical data and system equipment data. This ensures increased levels of efficiency. system on campus. In theory, any campus system can be monitored and operated from any computer with a Web browser, Internet connection, and the correct password. System controls: HVAC, lighting, and electrical Via the NOC, the BAS allows central control of the building’s HVAC systems. AMU’s BAS differs from a standard BAS in that AMU’s standard computer cabling connects each piece of mechanical equipment to the fiber optic backbone. No proprietary control system is required. Since the NOC monitors building occupancy, heating and cooling loads can be adjusted as necessary. Inputting building schedules at the NOC controls HVAC operation without direct human intervention. Equipment maintenance also is enhanced; fans, chillers, and boilers can communicate problems in operation, and scheduled maintenance, directly to the NOC. The NOC operates campus and building lighting systems as well. The low-voltage lighting control system provides both photocell and time management controls for interior and exterior building lights, roadways, walkways, and sports fields. The photocell signals that it is dark and the lights should be turned on, and the time management controls are 24 Consulting-Specifying Engineer • MARCH 2009
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