Smart Building FAQs
1. What is a smart building?
A smart building, aka, integrated building, intelligent building, automated building, high performance building or advanced building, is a building that is designed for longevity. Have you ever noticed how frequently older buildings are torn down and replaced by new construction? It seems like a waste but most often it is more efficient and less expensive to build a new building that can offer the rich amenities that we need in today's buildings. A smart building is designed to leverage the systems in the building. They all need cabling, lighting and HVAC. Some need internet, access, security, wireless and more. By designing a smart building, for example, the access control system can assist the security system in detecting trespasses, the fire alarm in determining occupancy, and also assist the HVAC and lighting in conserving energy. In addition, a smart building can provide alarms and alerts that assist the facility personnel in proactively managing the building, formulating trends on the health of the building, and ongoing commissioning of systems. Because a smart building is designed with open systems, it is easier to introduce innovative, new technologies and utilize a variety of different manufacturers and vendors. Building owners can keep abreast of trends in demand response, curtailment and smart grids. It enables the the building owner to utilize new revenue models, new technologies and provide occupants with additional amenities. This is a simplistic overview and not exhaustive of the full capabilities in the hands of the right designer and engineer.
2. How much does it cost to build a smart building?
How much does a car cost? The point is, the cost of a car is dependent on the make, model, use, size, MPG, features, accessories and other specifications. Each building is different based on its size, use and the types of systems and features it requires. There is no "average" or PSF cost.
3. What is the ROI on a smart building?
Again, there is no average. It depends on the design, the systems, and if the building is utilized as intended. I'll also refer you to this article.
4. How is a smart building different than a green building?
There are similarities and differences. Refer to this diagram.
5. Who is Smart Buildings, LLC?
Smart Buildings is an independent design, engineering and consulting firm focused on integrated building systems that creates operationally sustainable and energy efficient buildings. We are NOT "select then spec" engineers, i.e, we do not produce template or boilerplate designs. We are part of the design team from concept to commissioning.
6. What do you mean by “independent”?
We do not sell products and we do not align with manufacturers or vendors. Some elements of design and site assessment are required before any building or system improvement. Most manufacturers or vendors will do one or both of these activities. However, the design you get is the design for what products that vendor sells. With our firm, we perform the assessment and specify the type of improvements needed according to the condition of the building and your goals and objectives. We then identify the appropriate vendor and solution (usually through a RFP process). We work with the vendor to understand the assessment and and provide a solution determined to best meet those goals and objectives. In fact, most vendors find this an easier path to implementation as all the requirements have been defined and they can proceed to sell and install their product.
7. Why are you independent?
We feel that the solution is different for every building type and use and that it is in the best interest of the building owner to objectively design according to their needs.
8. What do you design?
Smart Buildings designs building systems such as lighting control, HVAC control, security, IT, metering, transport control systems and many other systems. We also design the integration of the systems to provide enhanced functionality and improved data and information for the building management. We specialize in Integrated Building Management Systems (IBMS), operation centers, and pilot projects.
9. What manufacturers do you work with?
We design around all manufacturers. We first discuss with the owner their needs and objectives and draft a plan. We then assess the building(s) for the type of equipment to get an idea of the solution that may be best suited to the building or project. Next, we draft a design and specify what systems should be integrated, what information is required and how the solution should produce this information. We also work with the owner to investigate the market, procure solutions and manage implementation and vendors. We have worked with systems of many manufacturers including Johnson Controls, Siemens, Alerton, and Honeywell.
10. Do you work with new construction?
Yes, we work with the owner and architect to design and create construction documents including Division 25 specifications for Integrated Automation.
11. What is the advantage to working with Smart Buildings?
We have been at the forefront of efficient building operations, even before the trend of energy and sustainability. Because we are independent, we are objective and aware of the marketplace and manufacturers’ offerings. We provide feasibility analysis and studies, programming and conceptual design, design development and implementation management, and finally acceptance testing and commissioning.
12. How does SB price their services?
SB fees are based on the size of the project, project duration, the number and type of integrated systems and the services required.
13. What’s a typical engagement for an existing building?
Typically, there are six stages of our process –Assessment and Programming, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Procurement and Contract Administration. This methodical process is typical regardless of the size, type or use of building. However, we do provide plan review and analysis as well as feasibility studies.
14. What information and involvement by facility management personnel is needed?
We recommend that facility personnel be involved in every stage if possible. This will assist us in gathering relevant information, assessing the building(s) appropriately, finding inefficiencies and pain points, and defining the enterprise management tools and modules they will utilize to effectively manage and monitor the building. In addition, we work with IT personnel to define the technology requirements, Accounting to obtain any cost data or to develop any interface to reporting and financial systems, as well as executive management to determine their requirements.
15. What is SB’s approach for multiple existing buildings?
Each building is different in size, shape, use and complexity. For a campus or geographically distributed buildings, we recommend a pilot project. SB takes a sampling of buildings to determine the level and complexity of the integration among systems. This provides a foundation for deploying to additional sites with a staff well versed and rehearsed in the process. It will also allow the building owner to compare results of energy and operationally efficiencies to their business case and financial objectives.
16. Can SB remotely monitor a building’s systems in support of building operations?
Yes, SB can remotely monitor any point in the building, track alarms, alerts and notifications, and provide continuous commission, and fault detection and diagnosis. In these cases SB will be responsible for deployment and maintenance of an Integrated Building Management System, as well as ongoing support to a client. These services are provided on an ongoing basis.
17. How do you define a system?
This can be the building systems such as HVAC control, lighting controls, power management, elevators, metering, access control, video surveillance, etc., including specialized systems such as pneumatic tube, medical gas and refrigeration. Our approach is to obtain granular data from each system, transform the data into information that’s provided to the right people and improved the performance of the building’s operation.
18. What are your credentials?
A smart building, aka, integrated building, intelligent building, automated building, high performance building or advanced building, is a building that is designed for longevity. Have you ever noticed how frequently older buildings are torn down and replaced by new construction? It seems like a waste but most often it is more efficient and less expensive to build a new building that can offer the rich amenities that we need in today's buildings. A smart building is designed to leverage the systems in the building. They all need cabling, lighting and HVAC. Some need internet, access, security, wireless and more. By designing a smart building, for example, the access control system can assist the security system in detecting trespasses, the fire alarm in determining occupancy, and also assist the HVAC and lighting in conserving energy. In addition, a smart building can provide alarms and alerts that assist the facility personnel in proactively managing the building, formulating trends on the health of the building, and ongoing commissioning of systems. Because a smart building is designed with open systems, it is easier to introduce innovative, new technologies and utilize a variety of different manufacturers and vendors. Building owners can keep abreast of trends in demand response, curtailment and smart grids. It enables the the building owner to utilize new revenue models, new technologies and provide occupants with additional amenities. This is a simplistic overview and not exhaustive of the full capabilities in the hands of the right designer and engineer.
2. How much does it cost to build a smart building?
How much does a car cost? The point is, the cost of a car is dependent on the make, model, use, size, MPG, features, accessories and other specifications. Each building is different based on its size, use and the types of systems and features it requires. There is no "average" or PSF cost.
3. What is the ROI on a smart building?
Again, there is no average. It depends on the design, the systems, and if the building is utilized as intended. I'll also refer you to this article.
4. How is a smart building different than a green building?
There are similarities and differences. Refer to this diagram.
5. Who is Smart Buildings, LLC?
Smart Buildings is an independent design, engineering and consulting firm focused on integrated building systems that creates operationally sustainable and energy efficient buildings. We are NOT "select then spec" engineers, i.e, we do not produce template or boilerplate designs. We are part of the design team from concept to commissioning.
6. What do you mean by “independent”?
We do not sell products and we do not align with manufacturers or vendors. Some elements of design and site assessment are required before any building or system improvement. Most manufacturers or vendors will do one or both of these activities. However, the design you get is the design for what products that vendor sells. With our firm, we perform the assessment and specify the type of improvements needed according to the condition of the building and your goals and objectives. We then identify the appropriate vendor and solution (usually through a RFP process). We work with the vendor to understand the assessment and and provide a solution determined to best meet those goals and objectives. In fact, most vendors find this an easier path to implementation as all the requirements have been defined and they can proceed to sell and install their product.
7. Why are you independent?
We feel that the solution is different for every building type and use and that it is in the best interest of the building owner to objectively design according to their needs.
8. What do you design?
Smart Buildings designs building systems such as lighting control, HVAC control, security, IT, metering, transport control systems and many other systems. We also design the integration of the systems to provide enhanced functionality and improved data and information for the building management. We specialize in Integrated Building Management Systems (IBMS), operation centers, and pilot projects.
9. What manufacturers do you work with?
We design around all manufacturers. We first discuss with the owner their needs and objectives and draft a plan. We then assess the building(s) for the type of equipment to get an idea of the solution that may be best suited to the building or project. Next, we draft a design and specify what systems should be integrated, what information is required and how the solution should produce this information. We also work with the owner to investigate the market, procure solutions and manage implementation and vendors. We have worked with systems of many manufacturers including Johnson Controls, Siemens, Alerton, and Honeywell.
10. Do you work with new construction?
Yes, we work with the owner and architect to design and create construction documents including Division 25 specifications for Integrated Automation.
11. What is the advantage to working with Smart Buildings?
We have been at the forefront of efficient building operations, even before the trend of energy and sustainability. Because we are independent, we are objective and aware of the marketplace and manufacturers’ offerings. We provide feasibility analysis and studies, programming and conceptual design, design development and implementation management, and finally acceptance testing and commissioning.
12. How does SB price their services?
SB fees are based on the size of the project, project duration, the number and type of integrated systems and the services required.
13. What’s a typical engagement for an existing building?
Typically, there are six stages of our process –Assessment and Programming, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Procurement and Contract Administration. This methodical process is typical regardless of the size, type or use of building. However, we do provide plan review and analysis as well as feasibility studies.
14. What information and involvement by facility management personnel is needed?
We recommend that facility personnel be involved in every stage if possible. This will assist us in gathering relevant information, assessing the building(s) appropriately, finding inefficiencies and pain points, and defining the enterprise management tools and modules they will utilize to effectively manage and monitor the building. In addition, we work with IT personnel to define the technology requirements, Accounting to obtain any cost data or to develop any interface to reporting and financial systems, as well as executive management to determine their requirements.
15. What is SB’s approach for multiple existing buildings?
Each building is different in size, shape, use and complexity. For a campus or geographically distributed buildings, we recommend a pilot project. SB takes a sampling of buildings to determine the level and complexity of the integration among systems. This provides a foundation for deploying to additional sites with a staff well versed and rehearsed in the process. It will also allow the building owner to compare results of energy and operationally efficiencies to their business case and financial objectives.
16. Can SB remotely monitor a building’s systems in support of building operations?
Yes, SB can remotely monitor any point in the building, track alarms, alerts and notifications, and provide continuous commission, and fault detection and diagnosis. In these cases SB will be responsible for deployment and maintenance of an Integrated Building Management System, as well as ongoing support to a client. These services are provided on an ongoing basis.
17. How do you define a system?
This can be the building systems such as HVAC control, lighting controls, power management, elevators, metering, access control, video surveillance, etc., including specialized systems such as pneumatic tube, medical gas and refrigeration. Our approach is to obtain granular data from each system, transform the data into information that’s provided to the right people and improved the performance of the building’s operation.
18. What are your credentials?
- We have been committed to this industry long before it was "trendy".
- We work with many types of buildings that have a variety of different sizes, uses, systems and symptoms.
- We do not partner with any manufacturer so we keep ahead of the market by allowing us the flexibility to investigate all vendors. We understand many types of technologies and solutions.
- Our projects have won many industry awards, our company is an award winning company, and we have written several books and articles.
- Unlike many "strategic consulting" firms, we are engineers with technical expertise and licenses.
- Our commitment is to save the client money, time, and resources and design a building that lessens the impact to users and the community.
