Application of Building Management System for Sustainable Built Environment

Abstract

Managing a built environment in a sustainable way is the biggest challenge for the built environment professionals. Building Management System (BMS) is one of the solutions that have been dedicated recently, considering its potential capabilities towards a sustainable building. BMS is a computer based system that used to monitor, coordinate, organize, and optimize building subsystems such as HVAC, lighting, security, fire/life safety, elevators, and others. The system provides various supports for the operation and maintenance functions of a building. However, the application of BMS towards a sustainable built environment is still challenged in Sri Lankan context. Therefore, this paper aims to find the preliminary investigation on application of BMS towards a sustainable built environment in Sri Lanka. A comprehensive literature survey was conducted to draw the linkages between sustainable dimensions and BMS functions. An opinion survey was directed to attain the aim of the study. Six industrial professionals who have experience in the process of selection, operation, and maintenance of BMS were interviewed with a semi structured interview guideline. The study identified five sequence steps of BMS implementation process namely: identifying user requirement, identifying BMS features, designing, installation and commission, and operation and maintenance. Cost, lack of confidence in result, lack of knowledge and skilled person are some prevailing issues among building professionals to execute the system in sustainable manner.