Building Management System Benefits for Employers, Employees and Landlords
An effective building management system helps to reduce the environmental footprint because it ensures lower emissions and reduced energy usage. At the same time it also improves the work environment as the comfort level is enhanced through the controlling of temperature, humidity, and ventilation. Because the employees work in an optimally controlled environment with ideal lighting and ventilation conditions, they also tend to be more productive.
Main Functions
The main function of a building management system is managing the building environment effectively. As mentioned above, it also includes air conditioning and lighting. The carbon dioxide level can thus be reduced significantly, which in turn is not only important for health to reduce fatigue, irritability and headaches, but also for environmental reasons. Not only heating, but also cooling of air throughout the building can be monitored and controlled. Dampers can be closed and opened, fans switched on and off as well as airflow controlled from a central point. Most is done automatically, but where needed, manual control can be done.
Integrated Solution
With an integrated approach not only the HVAC can be better managed through a building management system, but also security and safety in the building. Access control can be linked where automated door control is installed together with biometric access points, digital video monitoring, and motion detection.
Safer Environment
In addition, the fire protection and alarm systems are connected with all of the above. In case of a fire threat, certain vents can be closed; air conditioning shut down and escape doors opened whilst others remain closed. Smoke inhalation can be prevented because of automated shut down of specific air vents when the fire protection system detects smoke. All the elevators can be controlled to go to the basement for the prevention of usage.
In essence, such a system is designed to control the environment, monitor all equipment and access and to optimize energy efficiency. IDtek installs and maintains such systems at corporate and large spaces for clients to ensure optimal safety, security, comfort, and energy efficiency.
Scalability
The building management system is scalable, completely customizable and thus a flexible solution for the management of large premises. It includes for instance, the lighting, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, fire protection, detection and alarms as well as:
- Card based access
- Biometric access
- Door control
- CCTV monitoring
- Power control
- Plumbing control
- Automation
- Central control room
- Software
- Remote monitoring
Benefits to Employees and Residents in the Building
Optimal environmental control ensures an excellent level of comfort and thus improved productivity. Energy consumption can be reduced and plants in the building can become healthier because of more balanced air. Maintenance is reduced.
Benefits for the Employer or Building Owner
In terms of shopping centres and any premises that are rented, higher rent can be charged because of the inclusion of such a system. For the employer, the safety and security of staff and valuable resources are enhanced. Lower maintenance costs and improved access control, combined with better monitoring and early detection of threats or problems are more reasons for the installation of integration building management systems.
Many corporate companies and organisations prefer to outsource their security and building management systems. Internal security solutions can often be a problem as it is a proven fact that employees are the most likely to steal from a company whether this theft is physical, financial or the intellectual property of a company. Outsourcing comes with its own problems but it eliminates the internal theft element and is much more convenient than private security options.
However, it is very important to be meticulous in your choice of security company to outsource your building management systems to. Not only must they have a good reputation but their staff must be reliable and trustworthy and the security products they use must be innovative and up to date with the latest technological advancements.
These products should provide you with a number of security solutions for your building management systems. All products must be fully integrated so that they can operate in conjunction with one another and not only as separate entities. Products should include an alarm system, fire management system, CCTV or other security monitoring equipment as well as arrange of different access control products.
Access control products can be used to allow physical access to your premises as well as restrict access to certain areas within your premises. These products can also be used in conjunction with your software or hardware system to limit access to specific data or to restrict the ways in which the computer systems are used. All these security products are electronic in nature and outsourcing your building management will ensure that each product is used correctly.
Electronic Security Systems
One of the first things that you need to ensure when investing in security systems is that they have some sort of back-up power supply. Most electronics are need to tap into the building’s electricity supply and do not come with any back units. Some security products are battery operated but this has the disadvantage of having to ensure that the batteries are always fully charged for the product to operate.
You can choose products that have a back-up battery power supply. These batteries should be rechargeable so that they are charged every time there is an electricity supply to the security product in question. Alternatively you can opt to have a generator integrated into your building management systems to provide power should the electricity supply be interrupted for any reason whatsoever.
The generator you choose should have an automatic switching system to ensure that it kicks in the moment that the power supply is interrupted. There should be no or very little delay between the electricity interruption and the generator beginning to supply the power. The generator should be dedicated to the electronic security systems and not power any other elements in the building. Make sure that the power supply capacity is in excess of that required by the security systems.
Always remember to have your electronic security systems installed professionally. Make sure that you get a guarantee for the products as well as the workmanship involved. This will cover any costs related to products that were installed incorrectly or not functioning as they should to provide you with comprehensive security measures.
Your building management security outsource provider should offer you a professional installation as part of the services they offer. You can also find out whether they will provide you with regular maintenance checks for all your security products and equipment. This will ensure that any problems with the building management systems’ equipment are detected early and that all elements of the system are functioning optimally at all times.
Electronic risk control has been made possible with improvements in technology over the past two decades. Although intruder protection is still and important part of security, internal threats such as document theft, fraud, and industrial espionage have also become part of business life. As such electronic risk control systems allowing for fingerprint recognition, door access control, time & attendance systems, and building management solutions to be integrated with security equipment such as digital camera surveillance, offer numerous advantages including cost savings. Stolen items can be retrieved, camera footage can be used as evidence against a fraudster, fewer security guards are required to patrol the premises, 24 hour surveillance is possible and the solutions are scalable. If you want improved security contact us for electronic risk control solutions that will fit your company premises.
IDtek is one of the leading providers of integrated corporate security solutions in South Africa. Our approach is to assess every client’s security, access, and safety requirements. We identify risk factors for the specific location and industry and have in-depth discussions with the clients regarding their specific corporate security requirements before we make recommendations regarding the infrastructure and brands to be used. We also have an experienced project management team to ensure the timely installation, training, and management of relevant corporate security solutions. Our clients range from campuses to airports, cold storage facilities, large warehouses, and corporate office parks. We offer time & attendance solutions, parking management solutions, access control systems, fire detection equipment, and building management as well as advanced surveillance for top quality corporate security.
VESDA smoke detectors are ideal for food processing plants since the VESDA smoke detectors can be installed outside the protected designated spaces. This means that only the sample pipes will be exposed to very low temperature ranges. Many other smoke detectors cannot operate with accuracy in such cold conditions as experienced in cold food storage units. Blast chilling equipment often causes tremendous airflow and concentrations thereof. With our expertise in the planning and installation of VESDA smoke detectors the performance of the detectors stays excellent even with such cold surroundings. You can consider these smoke detectors where you need highly reliable smoke detection in cold conditions. Performance can be ensured when the sample pipes are installed outside the refrigerating equipment.
An example of how we are able to improve not only the security, but also the safety at client premises is our completed project at the Unilever warehouse. We have installed a VESDA fire protection system and have secured the premises effectively. Since we follow an integrated approach, we have been able to connect the VESDA fire protection system with camera monitoring and with access control systems. We installed a biometric access control system, have included a fully integrated camera surveillance system, and have connected the access control systems to time & attendance solutions. Client companies rely on the expertise of IDtek to help improve all aspects of security, surveillance, and safety at their premises. With the successful installation of the VESDA fire protection system and the intruder protection system at the 40 000 square metre warehouse, we have once again showed that we are the best company for the job.
Fully integrated access management control holds several benefits for the client company. One such a benefit is that of being able to streamline payroll and time& attendance functions while also improving security. If the entrances to the building and workplace have biometric access control with CCTV cameras for added security and monitoring, and the system is also connected to a time & attendance solution such as ClockWatch which can be connected to the payroll system, better access management control will be obtained. While also using the existing network infrastructure we are furthermore able to reduce the cost of installation of the additional access control systems. Integrated access management control also offers the benefit of improved safety. The fire detection system connected to the alarms, and controlled from a single point can be connected to door control and intercoms as well as CCTV cameras.
IDtek as a leading provider of security, safety and advanced building management solutions make use of various brands that can be integrated with the rest of the security systems for improved building control. Some of the benefits of these advanced building management solutions are that of improved temperature control, better maintenance management capabilities, central control, remote control possibilities, reduced noise levels, fewer human errors, and responsiveness to the user requirements, improved security, and better air control and of course also improved humidity control. Two of the brand technologies that we install as part of our building management solutions are that of Alerton and SymmetrE.
Although it will certainly be a plus to have curtains open and close when someone enters a room, building management systems are far more complicated than meets the eye. We however, are leading providers and installers of advanced building management systems which are developed around the client requirements. Considerations such as safety, security, cost-effectiveness, control, and convenience are all considered. It is important that the platforms utilised for building management systems can be integrated with the various HVAC sub-solutions while also ensuring that remote control and monitoring can still take place. Another consideration in the development and installation of the building management systems is that of energy usage. It is of paramount importance that the systems provide reduced energy usage capacity.
IDtek installs and maintains a wide range of fire detection systems at client premises including fire detection systems available in the Ziton product stable. One of the products in their range of fire detection systems is Paradigm X. It is small and highly effective as an early warning system of a fire with the elimination of false alarms. It is well protected against electrical faults and is not only user but also environmental friendly. A multi-sensor capability combined with numerous algorithms help to ensure accuracy and prevention of false alarms. Large vehicle companies as well cellphone companies in South Africa have already opt for this functional fire detection equipment. We also install other Ziton fire protection and alarm systems at client premises in addition to numerous other well known brands.