Building Services Analytics - BG 75 2018

In December 2018, BSRIA launched Building Services Analytics – BG 75/2018, written by BSRIA member and Energy Consultant at Layng Energy Solutions, Mitch Layng.

BG 75 provides guidance to building owners and to those involved in the design, construction and operation of buildings and building services about how the correct capture and analysis of data can be used to drive improvement in building performance.

Building services can generate vast amounts of data. It is becoming increasingly important for building owners, operators and service providers to make use of this data and analytics. BG 75/2018 highlights what is involved with this complex and growing management process and what considerations should be given to implementing building services analytics.

One of the key drivers to implementing analytics in buildings, particularly in relation to building services, is energy performance. Data analytics related to energy meters has been in existence far longer than it has for other building services. Sadly, metering is often incorrectly specified, designed, installed and operated, resulting in many problems in terms of data validation and accuracy. BG 75/2018 will assist in ensuring the correct metering strategy is designed and implemented, resulting in better-performing buildings.

It also provides information and references about analytics for the whole building services industry, from designers, installers and building operators, to occupiers and customers. This will result in financial savings from energy efficiencies and will deliver a better, safer and more productive environment.

Many components of building services are now capable of communicating valuable data about their environment and operation. The Internet of Things (IoT) is drastically changing many industries, including the building services sector. Access to this data opens up new opportunities for businesses, building owners and building operators to improve the operation of their systems.

The key drivers for this are to:

• Reduce costs.
• Optimise energy consumption.
• Streamline and improve maintenance strategies.
• Reduce carbon emissions.
• Improve occupants’ health and wellbeing.
• Maximise productivity.
• Improve customer experience.
• Ensure compliance with regulations.
• Demonstrate corporate and social responsibility.
• Attract investors.
• Improve reliability of business-critical systems.
• Validate investments in energy savings measures and system upgrades.

Author, Mitch Layng said:

“The leisure and retail sectors in particular are becoming aware that the analysis and reporting of big data creates opportunities to ensure the correct environment is maintained, and the right facilities are available, creating a better experience for the customer.

“The value of big data in the built environment is only just beginning to be realised by the industry as a whole. The range of sensors that are linked to, or part of, plant and equipment is becoming greater. Wearables and mobile devices are ubiquitous and all of these devices are becoming more and more affordable.

“The usefulness of these interconnected devices can be tremendous and ranges from enhancing life safety and security to building automation control and reporting. But many building operators lack convenient ways to turn the flood of data into information they can use to prioritise and act.”

BG 75/2018 can be purchased in pdf and hard copy form at https://www.bsria.co.uk/information-membership/bookshop/publication/building-services-analytics/

--BSRIA

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