VET4SBO Level 1 module 1 - unit 2 - v0.9 en

1. ECVET Training for Operatorsof IoT-enabledSmart Buildings (VET4SBO)
2018-1-RS01-KA202-000411
Level 1
Module 1: Fundamentals of building properties useful in
monitoring and control for effective operation,
occupants’ comfort, energy efficiency
Unit 1.2: Various building properties

2. Outline
1. Introduction to the various building properties related to:
– Heating/cooling, ventilation, air-conditioning (HVAC)
– Lighting
– Security
– Indoor air quality
– Water distribution/monitoring

3. Building monitoring and control sub-systems
• Light control
• Temperature control
• Air quality monitoring
• Security and space usage
• (Drinking and Waste) water monitoring and
control
• Energy consumption monitoring and control
• Appliances control
• Health-related monitoring
• Control operators (engineers and technical staff)
• IoT gateways and communication infrastructure
• Analytics (cloud, fog, edge layers)
• Integrated IoT platforms

4. Light control
Light control is the ability to regulate the level and quality of light in a given space for specific usage patterns
Proper light control contributes to saving energy, as well as improving occupants’ comfort
Light control levels:
• In most cases, light controls comprise simple on/off switch
• Dimming is a more sophisticated solution, allowing users to also control the quantity of light provided, taking into account the
usage patterns, mood of occupants, etc.
• The colour of light also has a significant impact on the aesthetics of a space, and it is associated with occupants’ comfort and
well-being. Dynamic lighting strategies can be used to adjust the colour – warm dimming, tuneable white, and/or colour tuning
• In addition to managing electric light, regulating the amount of daylight that enters a space is an important aspect of light
control. By using shades in conjunction with dimmers, light control systems can create the perfect balance between the two
sources of light to save energy and create comfortable environment
• Daylight sensors can automatically adjust shades and overhead lights to maintain optimal conditions throughout the day.
Occupancy sensors can ensure that lights are never left on when a room is not in use
• More sophisticated systems can store personalised settings for multiple lights, allowing complete personalisation of the light
control
• Advanced light control systems can work in conjunction with a security system to switch on all lights if an intruder enters a
home, etc.

5. Temperature control
Temperature control is the process in which the change of temperature of a space is monitored (measured or otherwise
detected) and heat energy is injected to or removed from the space, in a way to achieve a desired average temperature
A thermostat is an example of a closed temperature control loop: it measures the current room temperature continuously,
compares this to a desired user-defined set point and controls a heater and/or an air-conditioner to increase or decrease the
temperature to meet the desired set point
• Simple thermostats apply temperature control by switching the heater or air-conditioner either on or off, thus creating
overshooting and undershooting of the average temperature
• More intelligent thermostats vary the amount of heat or cooling provided by the heater or cooler, depending on the
difference between the required temperature (the "setpoint") and the actual temperature. This method is
called ”Proportional control” and minimizes over/undershoot
• More advanced control systems use the accumulated error signal (integral) and the rate at which the error is changing
(derivative), to form more complex control decision systems, called “PID Controllers” (typically used in industrial
settings)
Following devices utilised in temperature control are HVAC heating/cooling and air-flow units, air-conditioners, space-
heaters, refrigerators, water-heaters, occupancy sensors, etc. For example, when occupants in the room increase,
temperature increases, and the control system may open a valve to allow more air to the room

6. Air quality monitoring
Air quality monitoring is the process of measuring the concentration of common air
pollutants in the air, e.g. Particulate Matter (PM) 10 μm, PM 2.5 μm, Ozone,
Nitrogen Oxides, Sulfur Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide/Dioxide, Benzene
Air quality monitoring systems are available for both indoor and outdoor
environments
Indoor air quality monitoring systems are typically using sensors to measure
contaminants concentration
Monitoring the quality of the air and taking appropriate actions in combination
with HVAC system and/or security system or other is very important in terms of
occupants comfort and occupants trust to the building

7. Security and Space Usage
Building security controls are measures taken to avoid, detect, counteract or minimize security risks to a building and its assets.
Security controls can be classified as:
• Preventive controls (implemented before the event), aiming to prevent an incident from occurring, e.g. by locking out
unauthorised intruders
• Detective controls (during the event), aiming to identify and characterise an incident in progress, e.g. by sounding the intruder
alarm and alerting the security guards or police
• Corrective controls (after the event), aiming to limit the extent of any damage caused by the incident, e.g. by recovering the
building to normal working status as quickly as possible.
Space and asset management
• Space in a building needs to be utilised as effectively as possible. Usage optimisation can greatly reduce costs of premises and
increase occupants’ satisfaction
• Space management allows the building operator to monitor exactly when and which areas and facilities are being used and for
how long, as well as plan and optimise space utilization and maintenance based upon the observed data and work schedules
• Beyond space, operators can track and locate various building assets. Asset management prevents theft and misplacement,
increases productivity and notifies the user when assets malfunction or are moved from their designated areas
Security systems employ sensors detecting motion/occupancy, window/door openings, smoke, lights, etc.
Asset management systems, in addition, use GPS tracking and indoor localisation techniques

8. (Drinking and Waste) water monitoring and control
The Building water system consists of pipe networks, water storage tanks, pumps and valves to
control pressures and water flows in the system
The water monitoring and control system also includes sensors measuring various hydraulic
and water quality characteristics
Hydraulic sensors measure tank water levels, water flows and pressures
Water quality sensors measure pH, chlorine concentrations, Oxidation Reduction Potential,
Total Organic Carbon, etc.
The control actions, when required, are implemented by hydraulic actuators (e.g. valves,
pumps), as well as quality actuators (e.g. chlorine disinfection boosters)
The water control decisions are made by human operators, based on information and analytics
presented through some control centre

9. Energy consumption monitoring and control
Energy consumption monitoring and control is the process of measuring the real-time consumption of
energy by devices and appliances within the building and, following processing of the data, making
decisions on how to change the usage patterns and time-windows
Smart plugs are typically used to measure the electricity consumption of individual devices/appliances
This data is collected and analysed by advanced analytics platforms, some also employing artificial
intelligence techniques
Taking also into account the electricity pricing, weather data and the needs of the occupants, the system
decides on how, when, what to use in order to minimise energy consumption (and thus, operational
costs)
Electricity consumption monitoring and control systems can work together with HVAC systems to
manage heating and cooling for energy efficiency

10. Appliances control
Appliances in a building can be controlled through smart plugs and
switches, which turn on or off the electricity provided to an appliance
More sophisticated monitoring and control can only be applied if the
appliances offer access to their internal parameters, e.g. status of
operation, maintenance status, on/off function and other functions
For instance, a refrigerator can inform the building operator when
cleaning needs to take place. Also, an air-condition can be turned
on/off through a signal given directly by a dedicated controller

11. Health-related monitoring
Health-related monitoring in buildings, refers to the monitoring of the health status of
occupants
Such monitoring can be performed by wearables which, e.g. measure heart rate and other
health indications
There are also other mobile devices which have embedded sensors for health indications of a
human
Such information can be sent privately to a medical centre if/when required
In certain cases and upon a clear consent by occupants, such information can be collected and
analysed and used for a broader health monitoring and control of occupants. This can be a use
case in factories with heavy environment for the occupants

12. Other
Beyond the monitoring and control systems discussed earlier,
buildings may employ some further side systems, like parking
space control, irrigation control for gardens, etc.
Depending on the type of the building and its functions, several
other monitoring and control systems may be applicable,
however, we are limiting the scope of this course unit to the
aforementioned systems

13. Resources

14. Disclaimer
For further information, relatedto the VET4SBO project, please visit the project’swebsite at https://smart-building-
operator.euor visit us at https://www.facebook.com/Vet4sbo.
Downloadour mobile app at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vet4sbo.mobile.
This project (2018-1-RS01-KA202-000411) has been funded with support from the European Commission (Erasmus+
Programme). Thispublicationreflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible
for any use which may be made of the informationcontainedtherein.