During the life of a building, many alterations to plant and associated controls may be undertaken. When these changes occur, it is normal to incorporate the changes into the existing controls system. This needs to be tightly controlled to ensure that the alterations are carried out to a proper specification and recorded as such.

Technology is also constantly changing, and when modifications are being made to an existing building control system, then the possibility of incorporating new technology should be identified and where possible utilised. Open protocols are becoming more and more prevalent and when associated with existing IT infrastructures, then the possibilities are endless. More and more manufacturers are now releasing web enabled products that allow operators to view their building controls from a web browser on any PC connected to the companies intranet, or if allowed, from any PC connected to the web. Open protocol drivers are also being incorporated into many manufacturers products. This benefits building owners by allowing connection to items of equipment not necessarily already connected or forming part of the HVAC system. Instances of this are regularly seen with ACU's and UPS systems in critical environments. Many products like speed inverters; chillers, switchgear and metering now have serial interfaces that seamlessly link into outstations making data easily available for BMS systems.

For this functionality to be provided, the building owner or FM Company will probably require the services of a specialist contractor to advise and plan how the architecture would be implemented to suite the needs of the entire system.

Our experience in utilising the right products to achieve the correct interfacing may well suit your needs.