BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEMS

Building automation is the automatic centralized control of a building's heating, ventilation and air conditioning, lighting and other systems through a building management system or building automation system (BAS). Modern BAS can also control indoor and outdoor lighting as well as security, fire alarms and basically everything else that is electrical in the building. The objectives of building automation are improved occupant comfort, efficient operation of building systems, and reduction in energy consumption and operating costs,and improve life cycle of utilities. A building that uses the system is called smart building of smart home. 

A smart building, aka, integrated building, intelligent building, automated building, high performance building or advanced building, is a building that is designed for longevity.  

Above is definition of smart buildings floating on the internet. If the buildings are designed with BAS for longevity then it mean it is sustainable too. Unfortunately that is not the case. In spite of the system being around for few decades, not all buildings are adopting it. Either it is costly or people are not aware of the existing technology. Another concern is no matter how beneficial  smart buildings are, a building cannot rely solely on  BAS. There will have to be other inputs like green infrastructure, materials and resources for a building to be called SMART & SUSTAINABLE model. 

But the green building and smart buildings are not the same thing. Of course there are similarities but there are differences between green buildings and smart buildings. 

Other concern is smart buildings/ BAS system work with the supply of power. First world countries have the pleasure of unlimited, unobstructed power supply. Sadly, the developing countries and definitely the third world countries do not enjoy the  same. There are power failures, limited supply and various other scenarios. We will have to wait until the entire world adopts the BAS system. In the mean time, green buildings can be introduced right away all over the world with influx of green infrastructure,solar passive designs and sustainable materials.