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Commercial Building Automation

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Commercial Building Automation Systems for Your Facility

Whether you are building a facility or are looking to upgrade your current one, the best thing that you can spend your money on isn’t the highest end wall systems or a state of the art piece of equipment. You want to focus any free funds into commercial building automation. Building air quality are what you live and breathe when you are inside of a facility. Walking around with a handheld tester is fine if your facility is about ten feet by ten feet, but anything larger and it’s not effective. You need to know what the levels are at throughout the day in real time so that you can make adjustments and guarantee that the work you are doing inside of the facility is never compromised. The only way to do that is with a commercial building automation system.

Saving Money with Commercial Building Automation

You can actually save a lot of money with commercial building automation. The labor involved with having someone constantly checking air quality, humidity levels and anything else can be eliminated because your computer can now tell you all of that. If equipment is not functioning correctly, you can spends lots of money in the opertion of the equipment. In addition, you have the ability to make any changes with the touch of a button instead of having a company come in to recalibrate the system for you. If those weren’t enough, you will also be able to cut down on electric bills because you can determine when you want systems to turn off or run at lower capacities based on when there are not as many people in the building. These can be done based on time or on sensors.

The Ease of a Commercial Building Automation System

You can have all of the systems inside of your facility linked to a single computer or even on internet based programs, running with software that reads what is going on in the room. Just by looking at your computer monitor, you can see what the commercial building automation is doing. You can see the data in real time on bar graphs, percentages or any other format that is easy for you to read. You can then ensure that the work you are doing inside of your facility isn’t being affected by too parameters out of specification, temperature, or too much humidity or anything else. You can even run daily or monthly reports to hand to the supervisors or inspectors when they arrive every few months to check on your facility performance.

Where to Purchase a Commercial Building Automation System

Commercial Building Automation systems are becoming more and more common, so there is most likely at least one company in your area that provides these systems. Ensure that they have experience with facilities like yours and then you are on your way to simplifying the controls of your facility. You may even choose to have a facility management firm get involved to help you with the software that is best for your overall design. Once the controls are installed, you can manage the business instead of managing the environment, making your life a lot easier.

 

Digital Air Control

 

is an integrator of Building Automation Control Systems. We can control all aspects of your facility and even provide you with remote access of your facility systems. Contact us to see how we can assist you in control your facility systems.

 

 

 

Building Automation: Articles

HVAC Control Systems…

HVAC Control Systems…

Bill Johnson (Building Automation) 2012-01-17 01:41:38

Every building, hotel, hospital, mall or department store, factory and residential structure requires HVAC Control Systems but then not too many of us know what they are really for and how they work to keep a building cool, heated or perhaps ventilated. Hence, it becomes essential to know more about what an HVAC automation system can do for you. Here are a few things that you may need to know about so that you may fully understand how this computerized temperature control system in your building or home really works:

HVAC Control Systems: A Closer Look At How They Really Work

 


What Is An HVAC Control System?actually stand for "Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Control System." We use a lot of cooling and heating devices to help us cool down or perhaps warm up a little, but then not too many of us really know about how such system works for our benefit. For this, it all the more becomes necessary that people finally learn about how this system works.

HVAC Control Systems

How Does It Really Work?

HVAC Control Systems

work by regulating the temperature in a particular room or building. Since cooling, ventilating or heating up a room can be costly in terms of energy; it becomes crucial that home owners, building owners and administrators alike, learn about the best ways of regulating temperature controls within their premises. In that way, desired levels of comfort will be achieved while cutting on costs at the same time.

Types of HVAC Control System

 

To further gain better understanding of these ventilating, cooling and heating mechanisms popularly referred to as "HVAC Control Systems"; it would be best that you also know of the three types of temperature control systems that may be used in your building. They are the following:

  • Basic Air Conditioning Temperature Control 
  • VAV Air Conditioning Temperature Control 
  • Full Air Conditioning Controller

 

The first type of" HVAC control systems are equipped with a different kind of thermostat that can scan and read the temperatures within a room or building by merely using its controller or its built-in "return air box" located at at the air handling unit return. But then, there is a downside to these HVAC control systems as far as temperature accuracy is concerned. You see, the cooling system will continue to run since the room is cold at one time, and then immediately becomes warm. Simply put, you will have higher electricity bills and of course, fewer savings. This can be avoided with the proper controls of the dead band of the unit performance.

VAV Air Conditioning Temperature Control

 

The second type of HVAC Control Systems is known as VAV which actually means "Variable Air Volume" and it works in a different way. The system will vary the airflow based on temperature controls inside the space. The airflow is controlled through modulating dampers that are controlled to either temperature or pressure. Simply put, it is the air conditioning system itself that controls the temperature or pressure inside the space which definitely spells C-O-S-T E-F-F-I-C-I-E-N-C-Y!

 

The last type of HVAC Control Systems is the one that is fully equipped with ducts or duct ways. Similar to the VAV mechanism, it contains blades opening and closing to regulate air movement. Temperatures are automatically read; hence, no need to manually control the settings. That way, you will surely enjoy huge savings on your electric bills.

Digital Air Control is an integrator of building automation systems and can design and install a control system to regulate your facility. Contact us today to see how we can integrate a control system into your facility.

 

 

Full Air Conditioning Controller

 

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HVAC Refrigerant Monitoring Systems…

HVAC Refrigerant Monitoring Systems…

Bill Johnson (Building Automation) 2012-01-17 01:33:48

HVAC Refrigerant Monitoring Systems:

Crucial To Ensure The Quality Of Your Products And To Protect From Loss

Refrigeration is an integral part of many industrial workplaces and processes. Having the proper operating systems are not only crucial for your results but so too for your overhead costs. If your refrigeration systems are not working properly, it can be crucial to your quality control, or you can incur long standing losses depending on what you produce. Having an effective HVAC refrigerant monitoring systems is the best way to ensure that you control for any failure in your refrigeration processes.

There are many industries that require refrigeration as part of their processes. Although the amount and effectiveness of refrigeration will vary depending on what you are producing, it is always best to have it safeguarded with the appropriate HVAC refrigerant monitoring systems. There are some industries that operate solely on the efficiency and the quality of their refrigeration. In these industries altering the temperature just one degree can have some devastating results on the operation overall.

Knowing the industry standards and regulations for your specific workplace is the best way to determine your needs. There are a vast amount of different HVAC refrigerant monitoring systems which range from highly sensitive equipment to more of just a fail-safe. When dealing in the food industry, for example, keeping the food refrigerated below a certain temperature is imperative to keep it from spoiling. When dealing with laboratory specimens, however, keeping the materials at a exact constant temperature, can significantly alter the viability of samples and needs to be more highly sensitive.

There are also other uses for HVAC refrigerant monitoring systems namely they will let you know if there are any gas leaks in the surrounding areas and air ventilation systems. Most of the systems come with additional features that can detect any gas leaks or contaminants that are in the air. When working indoors, that is a very crucial part of keeping your workers safe and keeping contaminants not only from exposing them, but so too, exposing them to your finished products.

When deciding which HVAC refrigerant monitoring systems is appropriate for your industry, having an outside agency who knows the exact specifications of what you need is a good way to keep your equipment costs at a minimum but also to get the most appropriate equipment. Make sure to have a contractor who is well versed in the complexities is the best way to have the best functioning equipment. The equipment that you employ is the only warning that you are going to get to signal that your refrigeration equipment is not working properly.

Installing a HVAC refrigerant monitoring systems is only half of the safeguard needed. Making sure that the equipment is maintained properly and in good working order is the other crucial part. Having regular maintenance scheduled to check the functioning is the best way to make sure that it is operating appropriately. Keeping constant and steady control on your HVAC system is crucial for the quality of your production and the safety of your workers.

Digital Air Control is an integrator of building automation systems and can easily adapt a HVAC monitoring system into your facility. Contact us today to see how we can assist you in your facility.

 

 

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(BAS) Building Automation System…

(BAS) Building Automation System…

Bill Johnson (Building Automation) 2012-01-04 22:29:08

Why You’ll Benefit from a (BAS) Building Automation System

 

With the temperature getting hotter and hotter, it is only advisable that individuals invest their money on an air conditioning system. This is because this appliance can help make you feel comfortable despite the hot, humid temperature outside. Thanks to this, there are several who have already been able to enjoy cool air in their facility. Even those who use a (BAS) Building Automation System have also gotten the most out of their air conditioning units.

 

If you are planning on getting an optimization of your air conditioning systems for your facility, you might be better off with a (BAS) Building Automation System. This is because with a fully automated system, you control conditions inside your facility based on conditions outside. You can take advantage of free cooling during milder outside conditions. Plus, you get to enjoy continuous cool air provided by the centralized cooling system that your building has provided you. With this, you will be able to save your money in energy costs to operate your facility.

 

When you choose to have the (BAS) Building Automation System provide your systems control, you are actually providing yourself an assurance that you will always stay comfortable. With this, you get to enjoy the cool air that’s going to be distributed to your facility throughout the day. When you will start to feel cold, you can easily adjust the temperature with the controls that your building administration has provided you.

 

If you are wondering why you should invest in a (BAS) Building Automation System, there are several advantages that you can actually get with this. Just like many people, you will be able to make the most out of your stay in your facility because you have made sure that it is truly comfortable. This is something that you can benefit from because not a lot of people get to enjoy continuous cool air in their facility.

 

Given the fact that there are several other types of air conditioning units that are available in the market, here are some of the reasons why a centralized (BAS) Building Automation System is a better option for you:

 

  • The air conditioning units which building administrators invest in are usually the ones that are composed of a higher cooling capacity. Compared with other types, they are usually more complicated and bigger. With the proper control, you get to have an assurance that the air conditioner used in providing cool air for your facility is made of efficient quality.
  • You don’t have to deal with uncontrollabel conditions. Since the cool air you get from your (BAS) Building Automation System is distributed through your facility’s air ducts, you get to make the most out of the space in your facility. This is a really good help for facilities that are pressed for space.
  • You can easily automate the temperature control in your facility through your control systems. You can set schedules for your equipment to operate on and can control your energy consumption quickly and efficiently you’re the right programming and sequences.

 

Digital Air Control is an integrator for BAS Systems and can quickly guide you on the systems available for your facility. We can provide turnkey services to install the facility operating systems and can train you on how to operate the systems. Contact us for guidance on the systems for your facility.

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Commercial HVAC Control…

Commercial HVAC Control…

Bill Johnson (Building Automation) 2012-01-04 22:05:59

Commercial HVAC Control for Your Facility

If you have a facility, then you need commercial HVAC controls. You may already have an HVAC system, but the controls are going to ensure that you are paying close attention to the air quality levels going in and out of your facility environment. Regardless of what ISO level you are operating your facility at, the particulates can have a huge impact as to the outcome of the work or products that you produce. Whether it’s optics, nanotechnology or something entirely, the slightest particle that is too large and you could have ruined the work that you have been focusing so much attention on.

The commercial HVAC controls can be as simple as a digital read out on a thermostat or as complicated as a full automation system that is linked to a computer where you can receive a alarm messages or email every time that the HVAC system senses conditions are out of specification in your facility.

What the Commercial HVAC Controls Offer

Having the commercial HVAC controls offer you more control over your environment. If someone is manually checking everything on a daily basis, that is only effective for the time that they are walking around. A lot can happen in a 24-hour period and if you aren’t prepared for the minor glitches that could happen throughout the day, you aren’t running the most efficient facility that you could be.

There is no need to have someone walk around with a handheld tester. It is not only a waste of time but it is very out-dated. The commercial HVAC controls will give you digital readings in real-time so that you never have to question the conditions or performance in a certain area of the facility. When you have a clear understanding of the range that the atmosphere gets to, you can put a stamp of approval on all products that go out of the facility. Otherwise, how confident are you that the pharmaceuticals, optics or something else aren’t without error because too many particulates have been able to land in your workspace?


Where to Buy Commercial HVAC Controls

There are a lot of places where you can buy commercial HVAC controls. Most companies who sell HVAC systems will have the ability to give you the control you need. But be ware, they may sell you only their propeitary systems. Ensure that you always speak to a company that specializes in control systems in reference to your facility because there are some companies who specialize in them whereas others won’t have the slightest knowledge to what parameters to control.

Facility control companies are perhaps the best choice when it comes to having commercial HVAC controls installed because they will be able to help you get the best deal as well as ensure that your facility is properly calibrated to the requirements that your facility is designed to. These companies specialize in facility controls and only controls so that you get the most up-to-date equipment at a price that is right for your facility. Then, all you have to do is focus on your work at hand instead of always dealing with your facility being out of control.

Digital Air Control

is an integrator of Building Automation Control Systems. We can control all aspects of your facility and even provide you with remote access of your facility systems. Contact us to see how we can assist you in control your facility systems.

Read More...

Commercial Building Automation…

Commercial Building Automation…

Bill Johnson (Building Automation) 2012-01-04 21:48:31

Commercial Building Automation Systems for Your Facility

Whether you are building a facility or are looking to upgrade your current one, the best thing that you can spend your money on isn’t the highest end wall systems or a state of the art piece of equipment. You want to focus any free funds into commercial building automation. Building air quality are what you live and breathe when you are inside of a facility. Walking around with a handheld tester is fine if your facility is about ten feet by ten feet, but anything larger and it’s not effective. You need to know what the levels are at throughout the day in real time so that you can make adjustments and guarantee that the work you are doing inside of the facility is never compromised. The only way to do that is with a commercial building automation system.

Saving Money with Commercial Building Automation

You can actually save a lot of money with commercial building automation. The labor involved with having someone constantly checking air quality, humidity levels and anything else can be eliminated because your computer can now tell you all of that. If equipment is not functioning correctly, you can spends lots of money in the opertion of the equipment. In addition, you have the ability to make any changes with the touch of a button instead of having a company come in to recalibrate the system for you. If those weren’t enough, you will also be able to cut down on electric bills because you can determine when you want systems to turn off or run at lower capacities based on when there are not as many people in the building. These can be done based on time or on sensors.

The Ease of a Commercial Building Automation System

You can have all of the systems inside of your facility linked to a single computer or even on internet based programs, running with software that reads what is going on in the room. Just by looking at your computer monitor, you can see what the commercial building automation is doing. You can see the data in real time on bar graphs, percentages or any other format that is easy for you to read. You can then ensure that the work you are doing inside of your facility isn’t being affected by too parameters out of specification, temperature, or too much humidity or anything else. You can even run daily or monthly reports to hand to the supervisors or inspectors when they arrive every few months to check on your facility performance.

Where to Purchase a Commercial Building Automation System

Commercial Building Automation systems are becoming more and more common, so there is most likely at least one company in your area that provides these systems. Ensure that they have experience with facilities like yours and then you are on your way to simplifying the controls of your facility. You may even choose to have a facility management firm get involved to help you with the software that is best for your overall design. Once the controls are installed, you can manage the business instead of managing the environment, making your life a lot easier.

 

Digital Air Control

 

is an integrator of Building Automation Control Systems. We can control all aspects of your facility and even provide you with remote access of your facility systems. Contact us to see how we can assist you in control your facility systems.

 

 

 

Read More...

Building Automation Control System…

Building Automation Control System…

Bill Johnson (Building Automation) 2012-01-04 20:47:49

For individuals who want to ensure that their facility is always safe and secure, installing a Building Automation Control System can prove to be highly beneficial. This is because this system will provide them you control on many parameters you need for a comfortable experience at your workplace. Through this, they are able to get the help they need because the system will provide them this. As such, there are now several facility owners who have invested on this system for their facility.

As a facility owner, it is very important that you ensure the safety and comfort of your facility. Even if you are away for a vacation, you need to get the assurance that your facility is being monitored. For this, you will need to install a reliable Building Automation Control System in your facility. With this, you will get the peace of mind that you need for a happy and comfortable time away from your facility.

While there are a number of Building Automation Control System products that contain various features, you will have to choose one that will provide you the automation that you need. Since you will need the help of a system that will give you control, you need to look for a system that’s powered to control your facility operations. When you install one in your facility, you will be able to protect your facility against many parameters. Even if you are away, your facility can be protected and secured.

Once there is an event in your facility, the Building Automation Control System will automatically trigger an alarm. It will then notify the the facilities staff regarding this emergency. In no time, you can correct the event and go about your daily duties. This is a great way you can be assured that your property is secured and functioning correctly. You can have the ease of going on long and frequent vacations while your facility is being monitored by the system.

Aside from getting a Building Automation Control System, you can also look for other systems that provide several other features. This is because there is a number of building automation systems that are now packed with many features. Depending on your budget, you can pick out other systems that can provide you a fully automated facility.

Among the many different features that a Building Automation Control System can have includes the following:

  • Climate Control
  • CCTV
  • Energy Data Evaluation Control
  • Scheduling Controls
  • Heat Monitoring & Control
  • Freeze Protection
  • Fire Alarm Security Systems
  • Fire & Gas Detection
  • HVAC Contro Systems
  • Electricity Automation Management
  • Remote Monitoring
  • Supervisory Controls
  • Access Control Systems
  • Lighting Control Systems 

If you would like to get these features, you simply have to look at the different types of Building Automation Control System models that are being offered in the market. By doing so, you will get to find one that will best fit your needs and your budget. Through this, you no longer need to worry about your facilties' security even if you are in another country.

Digital Air Control is an integrator of Building Automation Control Systems. We can control all aspects of your facility and even provide you with remote access of your facility systems. Contact us to see how we can assist you in control your facility systems. 

 

 

How a Building Automation Control System can Secure Your Facility

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HVAC DDC Controls…

HVAC DDC Controls…

Bill Johnson (Building Automation) 2011-12-31 16:55:41

Using HVAC DDC Controls in a Facility

or direct digital controls are an excellent way to ensure that you have full control of what’s going on inside the facility. When you have a complex facility, the atmosphere is of the utmost importance. Regardless of whether you are in the nanotechnology industry or you work with pharmaceuticals, you have a complex facility with many parameters needing control. It is then up to your HVAC system to maintain the indoor air quality as well as to provide you with an atmosphere that is of the proper temperature. The controls that you have over the system will make the task of maintenance a lot easier when they are digital.

HVAC DDC controls 

Finding the Right HVAC DDC Controls

Many HVAC systems have HVAC DDC controls already. It’s what you do with them that make the project of facility maintenance easy or not. The digital inputs and outputs of the HVAC system can be hooked up to a computer or the internet and you can communicate with the system using a software interface or internet explorer. The software can basically do anything that you wish it to, including watch for energy conservation opportunities to slow down the system, lower your carbon output and reduce your electric bill.

When you want to find HVAC DDC controls that will work within your facility, it is often easier to make a list of what you want to gain from the system. This includes such things as:

- Remote access

- Ability to diagnose

- Various alarm systems

- Real time data

- Energy conservation

- Particulate percentages

All of these various control points are able to go into HVAC DDC Controls, but only if you purchase the right HVAC system and the right software program to be able to communicate and manage it properly. Facility construction firms are a great place to start when looking for the right systems as they specialize in designing facility and have a very firm grasp on the various products available in the marketplace for your facility.

What HVAC DDC Controls Offer

are going to be able to offer you the peace of mind that your facility atmosphere is running as it should. Manual monitoring isn’t very effective because something could go wrong in a single quadrant and you might not find out about it until later in the day or even a few days later. When you are working with small optics and such, the slightest excess of particulates could ruin the work that you are doing within the cleanroom. If this is the case, how long would it take for you to discover that the work has been ruined? Days? Weeks? This can turn very costly very quickly.

HVAC DDC Controls

The HVAC DDC controls are going to give you the power to view the data and manipulate it right at your fingertips, in real time. At any given point in time, you can look at your computer and know, by zone, what the temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide and particulate levels are so that the facility atmosphere is properly maintained.

Digital Air Control is a design builder of complex facilities. We can provide simple building automation system to a complex design-built cleanroom or laboratory facility. We have both design and construction professionals on staff and can assist you with your facility needs. Contact us to see how we can help you with your facility needs.

 

 

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Industrial Automation Systems…

Industrial Automation Systems…

Bill Johnson (Building Automation) 2011-12-31 15:42:31

Industrial Automation Systems for Your Facility


Industrial automation systems can be your very best friend because of the ease and convenience they offer. Inside your cleanroom or complex facility, you need to maintain a sterile environment based upon the ISO level you have been assigned for your particular industry. Each and every particulate that enters the atmosphere inside the cleanroom could be disastrous if it is too large or if there are too many of them. As a result, you need automation systems (as opposed to pneumatic controls) to ensure that everything is running according to your demands and expectations. The systems can range significantly but the important thing is that they are automated.

Choosing Industrial Automation Systems

There are many kinds of industrial automation systems available in facilities because technology has become so advanced. In addition, complex facilities are gaining in popularity because of the need to maintain complex environments. As a result, you can find various systems including:

- Product Distribution
- HVAC
- Wafer Distribution Systems
- Conveyor Systems
- Lighting
- Dehumidification
- Security
- Energy Management Systems

All of these industrial automation systems can dramatically cut down the time you spend monitoring the atmosphere of the facility because they will work together. The more systems you have in place inside your facility, the more “intelligent” your building becomes. If you choose to have all of your systems automated, you can find software that will link all of them together to give you full access to everything from the comfort of your computer.

As you choose the various industrial automation systems, you want to ensure that they will all be able to work together. Some will have different inputs or outputs that will not be conducive to working on the same network as other systems. It is often easier to get a facility management firm involved so that they can steer you in the right direction of the various systems since they are accustomed to working with many of them. This way, you can find out if all of the systems you are planning to purchase will work together instead of finding out as they are hooked up to the network.

Becoming Time Efficient with Industrial Automation Systems

The days of walking around with a handheld devices and a clipboard are over when you opt for industrial automation systems. Regardless of whether you decide on a wall monitor or a building software program, everything is automated so that you can quickly access all of the data simply by looking at a computer screen.
Further, industrial automation systems can be set with various ranges to tell you when a threshold has been reached. What this will do is tell you when the temperature is too high, too many particulates are in the air, a security system has been breached and so on. You can then either diagnose the system from the computer or temporarily freeze work that is being done in the facility so that nothing is damaged while one or more of the variables are askew. With these controls, you are then in full control of the facility atmosphere without relying on manual monitoring.

Digital Air Control has staff who, not only design and build complex facilities, but we also provide automation systems for every aspect of your facility. Contact us to see how we can help you with your facility needs.

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HVAC Management Sytem…

HVAC Management Sytem…

Bill Johnson (Building Automation) 2011-12-30 02:04:18

HVAC Management Sytem in Your Facility

Complex facilities can be nearly impossible to manage because you have to maintain many parameters like temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide levels, particulate and the like as long as the facility is in operation. If you introduce an HVAC management system into the building, however, your life becomes much easier because the system is being managed through automated controls. You can then trust the functionality of the system because you have computer panels telling you what the condition of the atmosphere actually is.

What an HVAC Management System Offers

An HVAC management system offers full automation using DDC or direct digital controls. This allows you to focus your energy somewhere else instead of having to worry about what the actual facility conditions are. Depending upon the sophistication of the system, you can be able to find out:

- Temperature

- Humidity

- Lighting Levels

- Access Controls

- Carbon Dioxide Levels

- Gas Levels

- Energy Consumption

- Particulates in the air

All of these variables will be visible on the computer screen so that you can quickly view the information to know whether or not the facility is being maintained properly. Moreover, you can use the HVAC management system to control the variables for you and warn you of any system conditions that would be problematic to your overall goals. You can set thresholds up in the system to sound alarms if the temperature increases to a certain point or if too many conditions present are out of specification.

When you have an HVAC management system, these alarms can be sounded before the work inside the facility is compromised. You then have the ability to look, by zone, to see where the problem is and diagnose the problem from the computer panel. Sometimes the issue could be with the system itself or it could be due to an employee breaking protocol. When you have the system automated, you have a greater amount of controls to be able to determine what these issues are much quicker.

Ways to Use an HVAC Management System

You can use an HVAC management system on its own or in conjunction with other automated systems to be able to give you a complete intelligent building. Either way you choose, you can ensure that the HVAC system is doing its job of cooling, warming and ventilating the building properly. When you have the other systems in place, too, you have the ability to let all of the systems work in harmony so that you do not need to do anything unless something is wrong with the system – which the system will tell you.

You can have the HVAC management system set up on the network so that you can get all of the data on your computer. There is HVAC management software or internet based that you can purchase for your computer that will give you real time data access to and from the HVAC system allowing you to monitor, diagnose and manipulate the system – all from your computer. This ensures that the system is set up properly and gives you the ultimate level of control.

Digital Air Control is an integrator of complex control systems controlling your facility. Contact us to see how we can help you manage your facility.

 

 

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Integrated Building Management System…

Integrated Building Management System…

Bill Johnson (Building Automation) 2011-12-29 21:05:35

An Integrated Building Management System for Your Facility

When you are operating a facility, the atmosphere is of the utmost importance. Why? The temperatures, the pressure and even the indoor air quality have a dramatic impact on your employee’s productivity. Production flow through the facility can also be dramatically impacted if the facility is not performing correctly. Nowadays, you have many factors that can effect your facilities’ environment, but with technology evolving, the tables are turning into your favor. You have a wide range of systems that help maintain everything for you, however an integrated building management system can offer a wide range of controls for you.

What an Integrated Building Management System Can Offer

There are many automated systems available for your facility however an integrated building management system will be able to manage them all for you using a single interface. DDC or direct digital control is what many systems are switching over to because they are able to provide you with a lot more information in real time and can provide trends of what the facility has done in the past.

If you don’t have an integrated building management system in place, you aren’t able to know how your system is properly functioning because it is a lot of manual testing that cannot be continuous and does not encompass all areas of the cleanroom at one time.

When you have an integrated building management system, it will work on your computer using building management software so that you are able to view the conditions of the atmosphere in real time, by zone, from your computer. You can also utilize internet explorer for some control systems and remotely connect to your facility from anywhere in the world. More importantly, you can make sure that everything works in harmony and ensure that employees are following all protocols instead of trying to override your local systems. Further you can control energy management in your facility by putting your controls on a time schedule.

Why an Integrated Building Management System Makes Life Easier

As you maintain a facility, an integrated building management system makes life easier because you have everything at your fingertips. Should an supervisor and or inspector walk through the door, you are able to run reports to show them what has been going on with the facility for the past few months and/or years. All of the data can be properly collated for easier viewing and quicker confirmation that the facility has been doing as good as it says that it is doing. This removes the need for manual testing, which is both time consuming and not very effective – especially in the case of larger facility that may be divided up into many different zones.

You have the ability to tie all of your automated systems into a singular system. This integration is made possible using wireless (or wired) controls that will go into a single interface so that one software program can manage everything. This integrated building management system often referred to as an "intelligent building" partly because it works using so much automation that you, the user, doesn’t have to do much more than view the data. Controls and thresholds can be set to help you with alarms, diagnosis of problems and much more so that you only need to get involved when something goes wrong.

 

Digital Air Control 

has tremendous experience with helping you control your facility. We even have staff to review your new or existing systems to provide you with an optimal control of your facility. Contact us to see how we can help you with your facility. 

 

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Facility Trend Building Automation…

Facility Trend Building Automation…

Bill Johnson (Building Automation) 2011-12-29 01:35:41

Facility Trend Building Automation

Facilities have a perfect environment they must maintain. Regardless of whether you are involved in the pharmaceutical industry, semiconductor, microelectronics, nanotechnology or any other industry, you are responsible for maintaining a complex facility environment. You facility will need to be maintained to control temperature, humidity, pressure, air quality, lighting, access and various other factors. Trend building automation is a fully automated system that uses complex sensors and automated controls to take care of the system maintenance for you so that you don’t have to. It allows you to focus on your job instead of your surroundings.

What Trend Building Automation Offers

Trend building automation

is going to give you intelligent sensors throughout the room that will tell the systems what is going on in the environment. As the sensors communicate with the systems, regardless of where they are located, the system will then adjust itself to provide cost effective solutions to your facility. Heat pumps will turn on, humidity controls will re-adjust and many other things can take place so that the environment of your facility is maintained for the type of work that you are conducting.

These Trend building automation systems will offer a very easy to use interface that will allow you to digitally read everything that is going on. You can view data, change system controls and diagnose problems and see past problems from the interface. With knowing how systems are acting through trends, you can make adjustments that will help you efficiently manage your facility. Many of the controls will be pre-programmed based on the requirements of your facility, however you can also make other changes easily instead of having to call a third party company in. This automation can often work in conjunction with energy management systems so that you can fully utilize everything in your facility to the best of your abilities.

The Benefits to Trend Building Automation

There are many benefits to Trend building automation. The first is that you no longer have to worry about manual controls. The digital controls will allow you to monitor everything so that you are in complete control of the facility environment. You can find out, by zone, how the facility is performing so that you can find out if all systems are running accurately and if all employees are following proper protocol. This can help you out tremendously when you get an inspector, too, so that you can pass with flying colors.

Further, the benefit to Trend building automation is that the system is very sophisticated. With the sensors located throughout the facility, you can ensure that all systems are covered. This includes HVAC, exhaust, pressurization, indoor air quality, dehumidification and much more. As the systems sense something, they will re-adjust electronically to take care of the problems. This ensures that problems are addressed much sooner than you would otherwise be able to catch. This can save your facility operation a lot of money and time. Otherwise, you may be continuing to work in an environment that is not safe for the work. The work is then compromised and could fail the next level of inspection. This is something that no facility wants to go through, which means that the best answer lays within Trend building automation.

 

Digital Air Control 

can design, install and help you manage your facility by using trends in all aspects of environment control. Contact us to see how we can help you with your facility needs. 

 

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Central Plant Control Systems…

Central Plant Control Systems…

Bill Johnson (Building Automation) 2011-12-29 01:23:38

Central Plant Control 

Systems Imperative for Your Facility

Facilities are all about controlled places in an industry where products are being processed. A facility is only as good as the controls that are in place to keep it running. Finding the right tools and materials to keep your facility efficient and operating, is imperative to your overall operation. Designing, maintaining and monitoring your facility is imperative to the overall quality and the production of the materials contained within. There are so many different products on the market it is hard to chose the right one. Paying the most is not always the best. Paying the low bid amount is also not always the cheapest price when it comes to operating your facility. When searching for the appropriate central plant control, it is important to know exactly what it will be operating in order to know which unit will best suit your needs.

The first part to determining the best central plant control system is to know what systems it will be controlling. In most cases, these central plant control systems will be used for temperature, humidity, pressure and air quality inside of the facility. In the operation of your facility, it is imperative to operate your central plant with efficiency in mind. If any of them is not controlled, the impact on the products and processes themselves can alter the production of the facility, as well as the results of that production.

Anyone who is constructing a facility should bring a team to the process that can help you understand the complexities of making sure to keep all systems operating at an ideal efficiency. Making sure that the central plant control is working efficiently and effectively is the only way to ensure that there is no contamination into the work environment and that all conditions that need to be held stable are done so. Depending on what is manufactured or treated within the facility, will determine the kind of system that you will need.

When designing your facility the only way to ensure that you have the proper controls in place is by consulting a professional who deals specifically with facility design and construction. A licensed contractor is the best way to not only plan for, but to make sure that you are getting the proper systems in place, in order to have your facility functioning and operating the exact way that you need it to. Nothing perhaps is more crucial to the overall operations of your facility. The central plant control will be the most crucial operating system within your facility, so making sure that it is not only the correct system, but that it is working properly is imperative for your facility operation. The cost to construction your facility will be a small amount compared to the energy costs required to operate the facility, so particular attention must be placed on a control system to operate the plant in an energy efficient manner.

As with any contractor that you would hire, make sure that you check the credentials of any person or company before hiring them. When you are dealing with something as specific as a facility, if you have one condition that is not maintained, planned for or held constant, your entire operation as a whole will be in jeopardy, which can be a very costly endeavor. Paying the extra expense to get a highly qualified professional and an energy efficient, reliable central plant control system, can in the end save you more money than you expected.

 

Digital Air Control 

can assist you in programming an energy efficient facility. We have Certified Energy Managers (CEM) on staff and can lend valuable experience in your facility. Not only can we assist you with a new facility, but we can also review your existing systems to help you optimize your energy costs. Just contact us to see how we can help you.  

 

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Building HVAC Controls…

Building HVAC Controls…

Bill Johnson (Building Automation) 2011-12-29 01:09:44

What Is A Sequence Of Operation For Building HVAC Controls?

If you are in an industry where you are in need of a facility in order to produce your product, knowing how to not only construct, but to design your room, is integral for the effectiveness and efficiency of the processes performed within it. For every industry there are a separate set of standards and regulations that must be met. These regulations and guidelines are set up not only for the manufacturing of the products within, but in some cases for the safety of the employees working within the space. It is imperative that you know how the room must be designed and constructed well before the planning stage. Perhaps the most integral part of the facility, and one that must be paid very special attention to, is the building HVAC controls phase of construction.

When you are designing and constructing your facility, knowing specifically the industry standards for your particular operation is imperative not only to the quality of the product, but to the entire production process and safety of materials and employees. Not only is designing and constructing your facility an important step, but knowing the sequence for building HVAC controls becomes a very important component. Although it is possible to plan for the operations of the HVAC controls, having a professional to consult is always the best idea to make sure that the room is up to industry standards.

There is a certain sequence of operations for building HVAC controls that must be met during construction of your facility. The way that it is built is as important as the materials and systems that you have in place. It is important to install the control systems in a specific way in order for the room to operate as indicated.

Sequence of operations for the building HVAC controls are specific to the facility. Each facility will have different requirements depending on the use of the space. Office buildings will typically be controlled for human comfort. Human comfort can include temperature, humidity, air quality, carbon dioxide levels, lighting controls, LEED requirements, etc. Production facilities will plan for not only human comfort, but also specific requirements needed to produce the companies’ products. Laboratories and cleanrooms will require a whole different set of requirements depending on the process being performed in the facility. Energy management is even being regulated by the authorities having jurisdiction.

When planning and constructing your facility, the systems that you employ are as important as the building HVAC controls. The sequence that they are installed must be carefully followed in order for the facility to run as it should and to meet industry and regulatory standards. All the HVAC controls are dependent upon one another so building and installing them in the correct sequence is the only way to get them to work together properly.

Each project will require a specific sequence of operation written around the facility. Therefore bring in the experts to assist you in achieving the goals for your facility.

 

Digital Air Control 

can provide assistance to developing a sequence of operations for your building HVAC controls. Bringing us in early also allows us to develop your programming early in your project and can pay dividends by using our experience in facilities design for the best possible project. Contact us to see how we can help you with your facility. 

 

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VAV Controllers…

VAV Controllers…

Bill Johnson (Building Automation) 2011-12-28 22:59:59

What Does A VAV Controller Do?

 An essential component of any air conditioning system is the VAV controller which is used to regulate temperature through a process of varying air volume. This device is highly suited for both pressure-dependent and pressure-independent appliances. The controller has preconfigured sequences that include cooling damper, electric reheat, hot water as well as both constant and intermittent fans.

Essentially, Variable Air Volume (VAV) controllers are able to make indoor spaces more tolerable while at the same time helping save energy.

Modern controllers usually come with calibrated airflow sensors that are responsible for maintaining space temperature. Other additional features that many features that may be included in a VAV Controller include:

  • Lighting Control
  • Auto Changeover
  • Variable User Adjustments
  • Onboard trending
  • After Hours Override

Basic VAV systems incorporate a single supply duct in cooling mode and this able to distribute about 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius) supply air. As a result of the supply air being at a constant temperature in VAV systems, the rate of airflow is supposed to vary in order to engage the varying heat gains and losses in the thermal zone.

There are basically three types and they are highlighted below:

  • Traditional – this controller is made up of a VAV box which has an integral damper that is controlled with a thermostat
  • Fan Powered – this is similar to the traditional controller however it is fitted with a fan which has a trigger mechanism that activates as soon as the damper is half closed or when the space achieves optimal temperature. This controller will also activates supplementary air circulation the moment conditioned air is required.

  • VAV with reheat – this also has the basic mechanism of the traditional controller but has an electric coil which is able to reheat air the moment the damper gets to a predefined position. This function basically enables heating in specific areas rather than heating an entire building.

These devices are typically made for larger systems that are able to sustain varied cooling needs in different zones of a building. This will allow greater manipulation of multiple zones which is more advanced than simple systems. In this era of ‘going green’ the controllers can be lauded as energy saving devices considering that they promote efficiency of air conditioning appliances.

 

 

Where Can They Be Used?

These systems can be used in a wide range of locations such as:

  • Auditoriums
  • Retail Stores
  • Office Spaces
  • Retail Stores
  • Manufacturing Spaces
  • Laboratories
  • Cleanrooms

 

Research is still going on to make improvements on the current design of the modern VAV controller in order to improve on performance. Some of the functions that seek to improved include noise reduction, fine tuning of the control systems and the creation of diagnostic systems which are able to give better responses to maintenance teams thus reducing the need for manual diagnostics.

As mentioned earlier a VAV controller is a vital component in the field of air conditioning and its importance cannot be understated in any terms.

Digital Air Control is an expert in using VAV Controllers for your facility needs. We can bring in the building automation to control your facility. Contact us to assist you in integrating the building automation into your facility. 

 

 

Forms of VAV Controllers

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Central Plant Automation Systems…

Central Plant Automation Systems…

Bill Johnson (Building Automation) 2011-12-28 21:37:24

Central Plant Automation 

Systems: Which One Is Correct For Your Operation?

In the production of many products, there needs to be something referred to as a complex facility. These facilities are ones that are set up so that whatever is being produced within them is held constant and free from contaminants. It is also an important operation for the facility to keep any contaminants contained within, and also for the safety of the workers contained within the facility. A complex facility, therefore, is a highly complicated and delicate system. Knowing exactly how to construct one is not for the novice planner. Among one of the most important operations for any facility is the central plant automation system.

The central plant automation system is literally the brain work of any facility. It is where all the processes for the facility are controlled. If you do not have the correct system in place, not only can it be a costly endeavor for your plant, but it can also put the work that is done within the facility, as well as the employees, in jeopardy. Knowing exactly what processes need to be held constant is the first of many things that need to be outlined before the construction of any facility can begin.

Every facility will have its own set of guidelines and regulations attached to it, making sure to know what they are prior to set up and build is the best way to keep your production running smoothly and within the realm of regulatory guidelines. The best way to make sure that you are within the confines of what legally needs to be in place, as well as what needs to be in place in order to satisfy your production, is best done by hiring the help of a professional contractor. A professional contractor will know which central plant automation system will keep your facility running effectively.

As when hiring a contractor, you should make sure that they are well versed, not only in facility operations, but in the specific operations that you are dealing with. Within every industry there are specific guidelines that need to be followed. There are many conditions that needs to be regulated and held constant to ensure the quality of the production as well as the product. Not every facility will require the same central plant automation system. Knowing what yours facility needs will save you both time and money in the long run.

For example, Cleanrooms operate by definition by the purity of the production contained within. The only real way to make sure that your cleanroom is satisfactory to maintain the purity of your systems is by making sure that you have the correct central plant automation system. After all, it will be the powerhouse and the regulatory guide for the cleanroom and its maintenance. Spending the extra money to get the most efficient and effective system could potentially save you not only money, but your reputation. If there is one thing that you may skimp on when constructing your facility, the central plant automation system is not it.

 

Digital Air Control 

is not only a cleanroom and laboratory design builder, but also a specialist in central plant building automation systems. We know complex facilities and bring tremendous value to your plant operations, not only from a controls standpoint, but for energy efficiency in complex facilities. Contact us today to see how we can help in your facility. 

 

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Building Automation Technician…

Building Automation Technician…

Bill Johnson (Building Automation) 2011-12-28 21:26:15

Building Automation Technician


A Building Automation Technician is usually charged with the responsibility of installing and maintaining building automated systems (BAS) that control features like temperature, water heating and lighting. They are also capable of carrying out routine maintenance of automation systems. There are however 2 main levels of expertise relating to this kind of work and they are highlighted below:

Building Automation Technician Level 1

Individuals in this position are responsible for routine technical tasks such as troubleshooting, repairing BAS field cabinets, controls and sensors. The work is typically done under the strict supervision of one of the following:


· A  higher level Building Automation Technician
· Chief(or assistant chief) Plant Operating Engineer
· Any designated supervisor  
Some of the detailed duties that this kind of technician should be able to undertake on a day to day basis include:
· Troubleshooting and repairing BAS field cabinets and this includes printed circuit boards, communication equipment sensors, transducers and electronic/electric controls
· The technician should assist higher level technicians in commissioning, maintenance and diagnostic procedures for instance system function verification which ensures proper BAS operations
· Assist in implementing energy conservation procedures through the utilization of BAS system features (including environmental and mathematical computation controls)
· Assisting higher cadre technicians in the editing of computer applications for BAS points for instance when establishing conversion patterns, finding  alarm specifications and defining point acronyms from operating staff

Other Attributes Required


· Sufficient mathematical skills including basic math functions along with working knowledge of higher math functions like trigonometry, geometry and trigonometry
· Basic knowledge of electronics
· Problem solving skills
· Record keeping skills
· Knowledge of general building layouts

Building Automation Technician 2

An individual in this position is typically tasked with the installation and designing of building automation systems and also supervises level 1 employees. Level 2 employees often work under the supervision of chief (or assistant chief) Plant Operating Engineers or any other designated supervisors. The work of employees in this category includes some of the following duties:


· Assisting electrical engineers in designing and implementing various hardware /software for computer applications
· Making recommendations to electronic engineers with regard to revision of building automation hardware systems
· Co-ordination of contract work using computers and related peripherals
· Assisting in the preparation of communications, security and computer programs and meeting  cost estimates
· Supervising the work carried out by level 1 building automation technicians
· Troubleshooting, and repairing BAS console communications gear which includes modems, printed circuit boards as well as leased data circuits
· Writing and debugging computer programs  related to building automation systems ( this includes utility distribution reports and consumption reports)

Other Attributes Required

· Skills in record keeping
· Supervisory skills
· in-depth familiarity of electronic principles
· considerable knowledge of higher level mathematical functions (including geometry, trigonometry and algebra)
· ability to fully understand schematics and blueprints

Graduation to the position of Building Automation Technician 2 is subject to successful completion of study requirements and experience as a level 1 technician.

Digital Air Control employees specialized technicians to complete complex facilities. We are always looking for good people to assist our customers, so if you are a technician looking for quality employment, please contact us. If you are a building owner and needing controls technicians to assist you in your facility, please contact us.

 

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Building Automation System Engineering…

Building Automation System Engineering…

Bill Johnson (Building Automation) 2011-12-28 21:19:58

Building Automation System Engineering: 

An Integral Part To The Design And Construction Of Your Facility

There are many industries that require the use and maintenance of complex facilities. Complex facilities are those in which the production and processes performed within them have special needs and controls that need to be set in place. Sometimes they need to be put in place for the quality and purity of the product that is manufactured within them, while at others, they need to be held constant for the safety of the employees working within them and the general public located around them. The key to any complex facility is knowing exactly what it is you are trying to keep constant and setting up safety controls and standards to know that once constructed, it continues to work effective and efficiently. If you are designing a complex facility hiring Building Automation System Engineering is the best way to ensure that your facility is what it needs to be and does what it is supposed to do.

In this economic atmosphere, we are all looking for a way to save money. If you are starting up a business or are working with limited grant dollars, such in a laboratory setting, skimping on some things may actually jeopardize your entire operation. Although hiring a specialist in Building Automation System Engineering may be a costly endeavor, however without the proper automation controls can be even more expensive. Proper controls are something that may be integral to the overall production of your facility processes. There are several things that general contractors can do, designing an automation system for your cleanroom, just may not be one of them, unless they area design builder and know the proper uses for controls.

Within every industry there are specific standards and codes that need to be met. These are not just random rules and regulations, they are specifically set in place for the purpose of safety or integrity of manufacturing. Knowing the specifications of the industry that you are building your facility for is imperative for designing and building one that will be up to the standards that you need to have. Specialists in Building Automation System Engineering will know what they are right up front. They can be complicated and somewhat misleading, so hiring a professional right at the start will be worth the cost in the long run.

If you don’t construct and design your facility to industry standards than you are not only jeopardizing the end result product, but in fact, may be putting your employees in danger. Hiring a specialist in Building Automation System Engineering will keep your facility running effectively and efficiently. There are some things and systems that you may be able to get away with saving costs on. You may not need top of the line everything. Knowing what systems you can downgrade and which are out of the question is something that a specialist in Building Automation System Engineering can help you decide and determine. They, in the end, will have the ability to stave off any potential hazards arising in your cleanroom and most importantly keep your staff and product safe.

Facilities are under tighter scrutiny from regulatory agencies especially for energy management. Energy management needs to be planned for from the start of the programming for your facility. Controls specialists can assist your design team to meet or exceed the regulatory requirements and thusly save energy costs over the life of your facility. Always hire the specialists in the beginning.

Digital Air Control is a specialist in building automation systems engineering and can add tremendous value to your design team. Contact us today to inquire how we can assist you in a energy efficient facility.

 

 

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VAV AHU Control…

VAV AHU Control…

Bill Johnson (Building Automation) 2011-12-10 21:35:12

Variable Air Volume (VAV) Air Handling Unit (AHU) control systems are charged with the task of supplying air to Fan Power terminals as well as VAV Boxes. These systems are optimized by automated operators which make sure that there is accurate and efficient operation.

VAV AHU control systems  are equipped with efficiency control logic for energy and this is evident with the fan speed control for supply air which has variable static pressure control which modulates the speed of the fan in order to fulfill the maximum demand for airflow from the other VAV terminal boxes.

The VAV AHU control sequence is expected to enable the following procedures:


• The sequence will be scheduled into occupancy as per VAV scheduling requirements. VAV AHU control needs to begin at the latest possible time in order to enable zone cooling until the average temperature for the zone has been achieved by the schedule time
• To enable override operation through website scheduling or in some cases through a push button which is able to be sufficiently tracked and later used for billing of tenants
• To consistently and accurately sustain a duct static set point
• To consistently and accurately sustain a supply air temperature of within tight tolerances
• To offer fresh outside air that is appropriately mixed with the return air and this will be able to maintain the air quality requirements in an effective manner. The standard  systems normally use demand control ventilation which is able to optimize the efficiency of the system and maintain the levels of carbon dioxide within the zones and  thereby using free cooling where possible
• To give building managers vital information about the system. This will also include trend data which shows past as well as present unit command to unit status, supply temperature and static pressure to all their corresponding set points
• These systems have significantly low ambient overrides which is a sure way to make sure that the coils do not get frozen
• Alarm triggers can be configured to route email data to specified operators in the event of any eventualities during operation

VAV and Filters

The areas that are supported by VAV AHU control (or CV) will determine the type of filter. Surgery zones usually have pre and post filters which are both bags. The there are several things that may determine the size of the fan and one of the major reasons is a drop in pressure across required filters.

For better air quality and filtration, the static of the fan has to be specifically designed for its actual purpose and it does not really matter whether the VAV makes AHU operate at lowered speed. Inevitably, a lot is dependent on AHU selection.

Any VAV AHU control is liable to certain malfunctions and like any other piece of equipment it could be caused by either equipment failure or improper configurations. If such failures happen to go unnoticed for a long period of time it could lead to more serious and possibly long term damage.

Digital Air Control is a provider of building automation systems and can effectively handle the control of your variable air flow systems. Contact us to provide you with assistance while you are programming your facility.

 

 

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Building Automation Expert Witness…

Building Automation Expert Witness…

Bill Johnson (Building Automation) 2011-12-10 21:24:58

Building Automation Expert Witness
The work of a Building Automation Expert Witness is wide ranging and aimed at providing comprehensive engineering, operational support as well as commissioning services. The spectrum of this job description includes various kinds of projects like upgrades, corporate campuses, new additions as well as warehouse spaces. Prior to the designing process, the expert witness will have to understand all the requirements concerns and expectations of the client. Each client is unique and has particular needs that have to be comprehended before embarking on their projects. Proper communication is required of a Building Automation Expert Witness in order to guarantee efficiency, accuracy and technical ability is maintained throughout a specific job.

The following is a breakdown of the categories that a Building Automation Expert Witness may be involved in

Mechanical Engineering
· Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) technologies for indoor environments
· Designing of ventilation systems
· Airflow Distribution
· Designing  of Heat energy recovery
· Chilled Water /Hot Water distribution designs
· Energy modeling
· Energy Management
· Indoor Air Quality
· Air and Water Balance
· Commissioning

Building Automation Systems
· Systems to manage the environmental equipment installation
· Analyzing existing systems
· Adapting Building Systems for control
· Control Sequence of Operation
· Web based monitoring systems
· Commissioning Building Systems
· Energy Management

General Job Description
A building automation expert witness will perform tasks of considerable difficulty in the maintenance, operation installation and repair of Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) units as well as building automation systems.

Some of the detailed duties include the following:
· Operating air conditioning controls and building automation using different operator work stations, digital interface units, computers and standard Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) tools
· Inspection, monitoring, evaluation and adjustment of mechanical systems for efficient operation of fans, pumps, valves, terminal units, dampers fluid flow conditions, heat transfer equipment as well as water and air system balance
· Provision of analytical assistance regarding campus mechanical systems within central plants and buildings including general distribution to other areas within a particular vicinity
· Quick response to routine service call-ups and emergencies related to mechanical restoration and ensuring minimum downtime
· Providing technical support and guidance that includes setting up, troubleshooting and monitoring complex building automation systems while verifying functional performance
· Instructing other technical personnel on the basics of operation, preventative maintenance troubleshooting, common system failures and standard corrective measures
· Installation, calibration, repair and installation of actuating and sensing devices
· Giving recommendations on modification of system/equipment operations  in-order to improve efficiency while ensuring conservation of energy

Some of the knowledge and skills of a Building Automation Expert witness include:
· Understanding of heat transfer, fluid flow and the use of mechanical devices to deliver steam, ventilation, humidification and chilled/hot water
· Comprehension of air/water balance procedures
· Ability to comprehend flowcharts, blueprints, ladder diagrams, control and schematic sequences. This may involve the use of various computer software
· The use of personal computers is necessary
· Verbal and written communication is also important
· A Building Automation Expert witness should also have the ability to relate with building occupants consultants and contractors.

Digital Air Control can provide Expert Witness roles for your existing installation, as well as, provide valuable assistance in the beginning stage of your project. Contact us to see how we can assist you in your facility.

 

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Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning…

Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning…

Bill Johnson (Building Automation) 2011-10-27 18:54:39

Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning in Facilities

Inside your facility, you need to make sure that you have everything properly maintained for the benefit of your facility as well as for your employees. Heating, ventilation air conditioning and many other factors will help control the environment properly. The HVAC system will be able to provide most of the comforts that your employees are looking for when they show up to work every day and also be able to give you the indoor air quality necessary to ensure that the facility is performing as well as it should be.

What Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Controls Are Available

Every facility needs heating, ventilation air conditioning and many more variables to be able to properly control the environment of your facility. The controls that you choose for the HVAC system can include:

- The ability to sound alarms

- Control temperatures

- Have energy efficient measures

- Ability to diagnose

- Control Indoor Quality

- Control Humidity Levels

All of these controls are nice to have when you are trying to manage a facility because it allows you to have more control over each situation. If you are currently trying to find out if you are maintaining your facility by way of handheld air monitors each and every day, you are likely missing out on some of your opportunities. Heating, ventilation, air conditioning controls should be able to provide you with what’s going on in each area of the facility. Does one zone feature a cool spot while another runs warm? Does one have a higher temperature than another? If you are running all of the controls manually, you may not have the answers to these questions.

When you are trying to find these things out, the proper controls can do wonders. You can then find out heating, ventilation, air conditioning needs by zone so that you can fix problems and make it more comfortable for your employees, too. Especially if they are required to wear special apparel, air conditioning is an extremely large factor to whether they are comfortable or not throughout the day.

Getting the Best Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Systems

When you are shopping for HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning) systems, you want to look for ones that have analog and digital inputs and outputs. When you have digital access to the information that they provide, you can connect them to automated systems and be able to manipulate and gather the data via a software interface on the computer or by using a control panel on the wall. Either way, you will be able to make the most out of your system instead of running around the facility trying to gather data manually.

 

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning

systems should be calibrated for a facility environment when you purchase them. Some systems are not going to have the level of filtration that you will need in order to maintain the specific indoor air quality. Building automation can help you achieve specified targets for your facility. 

 

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HVAC Automation Controls…

HVAC Automation Controls…

Bill Johnson (Building Automation) 2011-10-27 17:50:45

HVAC Automation Controls

HVAC Automation Controls in a Cleanroom

There are a lot of choices when it comes to HVAC automation controls in a facility. The more advanced you choose, the more control that you will be able to have over the environment. Each and every control will give you the ability to guarantee that your facility is being maintained at the level that you need so you don’t get any surprises later on in the equipment performance, energy management, production process or when it comes time for the bi-annual inspections. Each control may do something different, so It’s important to know what’s available and how these controls will benefit your facility.

The HVAC Automation Controls Available

The HVAC automation controls available include:

- Temperature controls

- Ventilation controls

- Humidity controls

- Building Access controls

- Lighting Control Systems

- Diagnosis controls

- Scheduling Abilities

- Airflow Control

- Air Quality Control

- Reporting and trend capabilities

All of the HVAC automation controls that you choose for your system will greatly depend upon the HVAC system that you have installed as well as the software program that you choose to have loaded on your computer. In addition, the more sensors that you have installed throughout the facility will only benefit you greatly.

When you are shopping for an HVAC system, you want to make sure to question the capability of the system to interact with various HVAC automation controls. Especially if you plan on tying this system into a full building automation program with lighting systems, access systems and dehumidification systems, you want to make sure they all have the same protocols so that they will communicate on the same level, otherwise you are spending a lot of money on system upgrades that wouldn’t be necessary if you map out what you want ahead of time.

How HVAC Automation Controls Benefit Your Facility

Manual versus automatic is a very easy decision. Almost everyone chooses automatic. Why? It’s easier.

HVAC automation controls

are more effective for the very same reason. They will provide you with the automated capabilities that you never had before. You can find out about all of the variables in the facility’s environment, where they are different (by zone), how to control them and manipulate them without ever having to leave your desk.

When too many particulates enter the system because the ventilation isn’t performing as it should or the temperature rises too high because the air conditioning isn’t functioning properly, you need to know about these things. Otherwise, the work inside the facility could be compromised without you ever knowing it. After all, particulates are very small, so how would you know if too many landed on the optics that you are working on? The answer is you wouldn’t. At least not until the pieces came back because they failed the next level of inspection. HVAC automation controls are installed in facilities for this very reason.

With HVAC automation controls, you can set up ranges for what is and is not acceptable. When a level of one of the variables gets too close to what is not acceptable, you can receive alarms or notices so that you can tweak the system or shut down production until you can fix the problem.

 

 

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Fundamentals of HVAC Control Systems…

Fundamentals of HVAC Control Systems…

Bill Johnson (Building Automation) 2011-10-27 15:21:06

The Fundamentals of HVAC Control Systems

When you look at the fundamentals of HVAC control systems, they are quite simple. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning needs to be controlled within the facility environment. Everything that you do within the facility is governed by temperature and humidity requirements as well as any other variables that are necessary to maintain the integrity of the work being done inside the facility. The control systems will give you the automated, electronic control of everything rather than having to try and monitor everything manually, which would be time consuming and ineffective.

What Fundamentals of HVAC Control Systems Exist

The fundamentals of HVAC control systems are meant to provide the heating and cooling of the facility as well as offer ventilation to provide the perfect environment for the facility. Within the control systems, they will be calibrated to provide the perfect temperatures and ventilate at the proper levels for the temperatures required for the space. The space requirements will dictate the majority of the controls within the system simply because of what is what is needed to control the space environment.

A few fundamentals of HVAC control systems may change based upon how the control systems are set up. There is a way for the person in control to communicate with the system, which is something that is in place with all of them. It is how they choose to communicate that can be quite different. The HVAC system will have a outputs, allowing the user to turn the system on or off. There will also be inputs, telling the user various data, including current temperature, humidity counts, unit status, trends and much more.

When any of these control systems are used, it makes it easier for the facility to operate effectively all of the time. While the fundamentals of HVAC control systems never change – analog and digital inputs and outputs are required and the communication panel is present, it is often the user data that goes in that will ensure that the facility is running the best that it can possibly run.

Getting the Most out of the Fundamentals of HVAC Control Systems

When you have the fundamentals of HVAC control systems in place, it is the controls that you have enabled that will give you the most out of the system. This includes being able to determine specific levels that you don’t want the environment to go out of. This includes being able to manipulate each variable to a certain threshold so that you can have an alarm sound should one of these levels go higher than lower than what you desire. You can then be able to diagnose the problems from the control panel so that you remain in control of the situation at all times – as opposed to what would have occurred when you were still doing everything manually. The more advanced your control system is, the more you can get out of the system, including daily, weekly and monthly reports to help with inspections as well as many other things.

 

 

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AHU for VAV Applications…

AHU for VAV Applications…

Pete (Building Automation) 2011-09-08 14:07:40 AHU for VAV Applications

AHU systems supply primary air to VAV boxes and Fan Power Terminal Units.  They are optimized by automation systems and operators to ensure efficient and accurate operation.

The AHU sequence should allow the following:

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Philips Teletrol Products…

Philips Teletrol Products…

Pete (Building Automation) 2010-10-17 03:36:59

State of the Art I/T systems utilized for facility automation.

Effective energy management requires the right technologies to have a positive impact on costs, energy management emergencies, and customer comfort.  The Philips Teletrol ebuilding system utilizes I/T based technology along with open industry communication standards such as BACnet  that allows integration and customization un paralleled in the industry.

see www.Teletrol.com for more information

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BAS Navigation…

BAS Navigation…

Pete (Building Automation) 2010-08-02 19:38:34 BAS Navigation

Building Automation Systems should allow a user to provide overall facility status as well as to drill down into equipment operation screens with a mouse click.  Room numbers and mechanical plan identification are shown on the web page for reference between owner and service providers.

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Control System Engineering…

Control System Engineering…

Administrator (Building Automation) 2010-08-02 19:36:50 Control System Engineering

 

To provide quality building automation systems, the product, application design, engineering drawings, operations manuals, and software must be simple and easy to understand, yet detailed, thorough and effective.

Product:

We have selected Teletrol Systems as our control system provider of choice for most commercial automation applications. Teletrol concentrates on providing the best controllers in the industry and allows us to select other vendors for valves, sensor and devices. We are not limited to a single manufactures products for our systems. We combine products from the best manufactures in the business to provide a complete overall system including Belimo, Veris, ACI, Idec, Autotran, Dwyer Instruments, Nailor

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Web Based Control…

Web Based Control…

Administrator (Building Automation) 2010-08-02 19:36:22 Web Based Control

The Internet allows us to provide automated control of facility's differently than traditional control systems. In the past, all facility information was routed to a workstation typically located in the building engineers office. Today, we install network ready systems that utilize I/T standards to integrate into client networks yet capable of integrating various intelligent facility systems using BACnet, Mod Buss, Zigbee and other industry standards.  Traditional front end 100% BACnet or LON based system are limited when integrating into I/T system that utilize a world wide standard. In most cases these Industry specific systems require a separate interface to provide access to view system data through the Internet  These older style systems are called Web Enabled systems.

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VAV Box Control…

VAV Box Control…

Administrator (Building Automation) 2010-08-02 19:34:32 VAV Box Control

Advanced VAV box control sequences allow operators to accurately control zone temperature while providing overall system efficiency. Most all control systems have VAV box controllers, but do they function optimally as part of an over all energy management system?

VAV terminal unit sequences should not only accurately control zone temperature, but also be a significant part of the overall efficient use of energy in a facility. VAV terminal units should:

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Automation Education…

Automation Education…

Administrator (Building Automation) 2010-07-30 17:17:32 Automation Education

Installing or replacing a Building Automation System does not automatically provide an  energy management program.  The building design, mechanical system operation, the facility use, occupant education, the capability and knowledge of the facility staff as well as the design, installation and operation of the Building Automation System all play an important role in overall facility energy conservation. Digital Air Control understands these issues and and can provide not only a state of the art automation system for your facility, but education as to what to expect from a system and how to operate a facility efficiently.  Building Design: We cannot change the building design, however, we can offer our advice and experience as to how or even if a building automation system will benefit a facility.

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