Government building design: Automation and controls
When your client is the government, engineering design can be tricky, thanks to stepped-up regulations, budgetary concerns, and other considerations. Respondents discuss building automation and controls in government, state, municipal, federal, and military facilities.
Respondents
- Ian Bost, PE, LEED AP, Principal, Mechanical Engineer, Baird, Hampton & Brown Inc., Fort Worth, Texas
- Robert Eichelman, PE, LEED AP, Technical Director, EYP Architecture & Engineering, Albany, N.Y.
- Paul W. Johnson, PE, LEEP AP BD+C, Vice President of Mechanical Engineering, Wood Harbinger, Bellevue, Wash.
- Katie McGimpsey, PE, LEED AP, Principal, Affiliated Engineers Inc., Rockville, Md.
- R. Scott Pegler, PE, LEED AP, Director of Mechanical Engineering, Setty, Fairfax, Va.
CSE: When designing integration monitoring and control systems, what factors do you consider?
Pegler: Normally we specify an open architecture system that employs a BACnet protocol. This is generally a Tridium-based system versus one of the leading manufacturer proprietary systems.
Bost: We look at owner staffing and technical capabilities, building/space usages, and system types. We do not want to specify a more complex system than the owner wants.
CSE: What are some common problems you encounter when working on building automation systems?
Pegler: Problems can range anywhere from poor programming and control systems installation/execution to issues with proprietary system integration and fundamental lack of understanding of systems design. Control integration is perhaps the biggest gap.
Bost: Those include costs and propriety system components.
CSE: What types of system integration and/or interoperability issues have you overcome, and how did you do so?
Bost: Interoperability issues have generally been addressed through face-to-face meetings with all parties.
Do you have experience and expertise with the topics mentioned in this content? You should consider contributing to our WTWH Media editorial team and getting the recognition you and your company deserve. Click here to start this process.