Building Automation Systems Design. Guidelines for Systems with Complex Requirements

Abstract: Buildings today are becoming more and more advanced and the demands on buildingservices are increasing. A modern building is expected to provide a number ofservices with high security, energy efficiency and convenience. For a building withcomplex requirements due to the activity, such as a hospital, the services provided areeven more advanced and the requirements on them are higher. This implies for theneed of a building automation system. These systems come with a cost and have somedrawbacks. This thesis will take on the task to study how to benefit from thepossibilities with building automation systems while minimizing the drawbacks. Theaim is to find guidelines for how to design, procure and manage a building automationsystem in a hospital in an effective way.The thesis contains a theoretical part, describing the general architecture and functionsof a building automation system. Further treated is the different technologies thatsupply this function and handles communication.Interviews and participation in meetings with people working with buildingautomation systems in hospitals and other buildings with complex requirements due tothe activity has been carried out. This has resulted in a part that contains theircollection of knowledge, experiences and opinions on these systems. Many of themain issues with building automation systems are treated, like how to avoiddependency on a small group of people and how to ensure the function of severalsystems that integrate with each other.The last part of this thesis contains guidelines useful when designing, procuring andmanaging building automation systems with complex requirements. They are basedon conclusions from the previous part and the authors own opinions. Some of theguidelines treat what type of technology that is suitable for different systems, how tocoordinate a system and how to ensure future function, compatibility and access toservice.