Regulatory documents for building automation.
Hans R. Kranz
HAK company (Forst/Baden)
Project manager for standardization of building automation according to DIN/CEN/ISO standards.
Member of the DIN Presidium and the Board of the Association of German Engineers VDI TGA.
Head of Working Group 070
on building automation of the Joint Commission for the Application of Electronics in Construction GAEB.
He headed the department of production and
implementation of automation systems
of buildings of the Siemens company
Regulatory normative documents for automation of buildings
Building Automation (BACS)
A building automation system, abbreviated as “BACS” (Building Automation and Control System), is a complex of microprocessor devices connected into a network.
The data exchange network we are considering between them is a BACS (Building Automation and Control Network).
The AZ system, together with the operating services, ensures (almost unnoticeably) the optimization of the operation of the building and its engineering systems in accordance with the criteria of reliability, ecology and economy, thereby reducing costs.
The AZ system provides reliable strategic control of heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
It is optimized for saving operating time, limiting maximum loads and calculating the characteristics of thermal functions, and also informs the operating service about trends, current and past operating modes.
These processes are provided by the technological functions of the AZ.
The building automation system brings together all the data necessary for the operation of the facility in its entirety.
Efficient building management is no longer conceivable without the AZ, which comprehensively covers the work of all subcontracting organizations. Without it, it would be impossible to manage and optimize the equipment for operating the building.
Having developed, this industry coordinates all subcontracting work on the engineering equipment of buildings.
The AZ system contains all the data necessary for monitoring energy consumption and operating costs, which are also required for documenting the environmental audit system.
The AZ system contains data related to the maintenance of engineering systems, as well as relevant statistical information.
At the same time, the AZ serves as a tool for performing such operational tasks as analysis, regulation and ongoing optimization of the operating mode or prevention of technical malfunctions.
If the building operation and protection system, the building management system or its energy consumption meet the requirements of the set of international standards DIN EN ISO 16484, then it has the right to be called a building automation system (DIN EN ISO 16484-2, 3.31).
Building automation is a key element in the successful coordination of subcontractors and therefore there is a need for a common language that could be used by all parties involved in the design, construction and operation of a facility.
This language should be generally recognized technical regulations that operate at the international level.
This article describes the development of regulatory documents for building automation and control systems in 2006.
Objectives of standardization of AZ systems
At the initiative of Germany, a joint decision was made in the international AZ industry on the need to define, first of all, the general operating conditions of the projects.
This was implemented first at the national level and then at the European and global level.
In doing so, it was necessary to pay special attention to ensuring that the quality level constantly corresponds to the development of proven technologies.
Preference was given to standardized definitions, a “common language” for describing contracts, which were revised by the working group on building automation, operating within the Joint Commission on the Application of Electronics in Construction, and then included in the VDI standard 3814 and subsequently in the global standard for AZ.
The Babel of data exchange protocols in the early 90s had to be organized into a universal system structure and thereby reduced to a small number of standardized protocols.
With BACnet, KNX/EIB and LonWorks, this goal in the field of building services has been achieved.
For specialized technical areas, data exchange protocols are offered that are optimized in terms of both costs and application.
Examples include buses for professional use in the industrial sector (digital data exchange in control and protection systems according to DIN EN 61158 – fieldbus for industrial control and protection systems, and digital data exchange DIN EN 61784-1 – fieldbus data exchange profiles for technical process and production automation), the ASI interface connecting actuators and sensors (DIN EN 50295, IEC 62026-2), approved for safety category 4 according to DIN EN 954-1 (e.g. for use in fire dampers), the measuring bus according to DIN EN 1434-3 for reading meters, as well as special buses for DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) lighting and SMI (Standard Motor Interface) blind motors.
However, application-specific data exchange methods have yet to prove their worth in the context of building automation.
Determination of the costs of design and engineering work (engineering) required within the framework of a full-scale AZ project must ensure the possibility of accurate calculations and verification.
It was decided to document the planning of the AZ functions based on an extended system of long-used characteristic lists and data converted into a list of AZ functions.
All planners can use this tool in combination with the VDI 3814 standard and/or the global AZ standard in the same way.
Standards and technical regulations in AZ
International standardization
The international standards for building automation systems have been developed jointly by ISO and CEN committees. CEN Technical Committee 247 “Building automation and control” is responsible for the system area and building services, while ISO Technical Committee 205 has taken charge of the exchange of technical data and terminology.
All sections of the standards were subject to parallel global voting.
The main sections of the standards on BA (hardware and functions) are based either on VDI Guideline 3814 or on DIN V 32734, the sections on data exchange are taken from ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 135 (BACnet).
The work programme of ISO Technical Committee 205 (iso.org) calls for (quote): “Standardization of requirements for new constructions and renovation of existing buildings to ensure acceptable indoor conditions and to achieve energy savings and efficient energy use. Indoor requirements relate to air quality, thermal, acoustic and optical factors.”
The aim is to establish a system of international standards that ensure that buildings provide indoor conditions that support economic efficiency and a comfortable working environment:
• planning of the building taking into account energy efficiency,
• planning of the building automation system,
• indoor air quality,
• thermal conditions of the rooms,
• acoustic conditions of the rooms,
• optical conditions of the rooms.
The work programme of Technical Committee 247 CEN (cenorm.be) provides (quote): “Standardization of building automation and control for residential and other types of construction.
The standards include designations, requirements, functions and verification methods for products and systems for automatic control, regulation and monitoring of building engineering equipment and integration measures with interfaces and protocols, as well as systems and services aimed at the efficient technical operation of buildings in combination with their commercial and infrastructure management.”
A special case is represented by joint committees of ISO and IEC or CEN and CENELEC. They are called “Joint Technical Committees” (JTC).
A field closely related to building automation is home automation (in the field of private home construction).
Working Group 1 of Subcommittee 25 of ISO/CEN JTC 1 “HES – Home Electronic Systems”, which includes representatives from 28 countries, has been trying to develop standards for many years.
The scope of these standards should include: heating, lighting, audio/video systems, remote communication, security systems and a “home gateway” for connecting the home control network to the Internet. The functions are close to the automation of large buildings, but so far there has been no willingness to work together from Working Group 1.
Pan-European standardization
The European Committee for Standardization CEN and the European Committee for Electrical Standardization CENELEC were established in the early 1960s, following the founding of the European Economic Community by the Treaties of 25 March 1957, as regional standardization organizations. In 1982, CEN/CENELEC received the status of European Institute for Standardization. Both organizations have their headquarters in Brussels.
Today, CEN/CENELEC includes 28 national standardization institutes, represented by all EU countries, as well as EFTA countries; 8 other countries are also members.
The actual standardization work is carried out by technical committees. Clerical work is assigned to one of the committee members (Switzerland leads this work in technical committee CEN 247). For areas that use ISO standards but are not represented by the relevant technical committee in CEN/CENELEC, individual members are appointed as observers. In cases where the same developments are submitted to ISO and CEN, the ISO rules apply.
The European Commission may transmit to CEN/CENELEC orders for standardisation work (mandates).
These include regulations on construction products, technical equipment, electromagnetic compatibility, and regulations on the energy efficiency of buildings.
CEN standards are created through voluntary, pro bono work by participants from all interested circles. Participants must be appointed by the national standardization body. The results submitted for voting must be developed through a joint effort.
A mandatory condition is that the work be carried out in coordination with other committees in similar areas, operating at regional or international level. Standardization work carried out on the same topic within individual EU countries must be discontinued. Through the efforts of each CEN member, European standards must be transformed into national standards. National standards that are not in agreement with these European standards must be abolished. Conformity to European standards often entitles products to bear the CE mark.
The main objectives are the elimination of barriers to trade, the reliability and interoperability of products and their maintenance methods, and the promotion of mutual understanding in the technical field and the infrastructure of a modern innovative market economy. European standards are necessary for the Common Market, for the integration of the European Union, for the protection of consumers and for sustainable development. In order for a building to comply with European building regulations, it must be planned and constructed in such a way that the “essential requirements” are met.
The standards that harmonize with each other contribute to achieving these objectives. The essential requirements for buildings are:
1. Mechanical strength and stability
During construction and operation, the following is not permitted:
• collapse of the entire building or part of it,
• significant volume deformations,
• damage to other building structures or structures and equipment as a result of excessive deformations of load-bearing building structures,
• damage as a result of an incident that significantly exceeds the original value.
2. Fire protection
The load-bearing capacity of the building must be maintained during a fire for a certain period of time so that:
• the occurrence and spread of flames and smoke within the building was limited,
• the spread of flames to neighboring buildings was limited,
• the residents of the building could leave the building without receiving bodily harm or be rescued by other means,
• the safety of rescue operations was taken into account.
3. Hygiene, health and environmental protection
First of all, no threat to the hygiene and health of the residents of the building and neighboring buildings is allowed due to:
• emission of toxic gases;
• presence of harmful particles or gases in the air;
• hazardous radiation;
• pollution or poisoning of water or the ground surface;
• improper methods of drainage of waste water, smoke and disposal of solid or liquid waste;
• accumulation of moisture in building structures and on the surface of building structures in interior spaces.
4. Safety of use
During operation, there shall be no unacceptable sources of risk of accidents, such as injuries caused by the victim slipping, falling from a height, running into an obstacle, as well as burns, electric shocks, injuries resulting from an explosion.
5. Soundproofing
The noise level perceived by residents or people in the vicinity of the building shall not be allowed to cause harm to health; it must be guaranteed to meet satisfactory conditions for night rest, leisure and work.
6. Energy conservation and thermal insulation
The building and its heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems and equipment must be designed and constructed in such a way that energy consumption during operation is maintained at a low level, taking into account the climatic conditions of the location, and sufficient thermal comfort is provided for the occupants.
Requirement 6 particularly emphasizes the urgent need to use building automation. This is also noted in the European Energy Performance Standards for Buildings.
National Standardization
As before, it is necessary that national specific regulations are approved, for example in additional DIN standards or in the regulations of the German Association of Engineers VDI.
An example of this is the VOB Order for the Placement of Contracts and Agreements for Construction Works and the well-known “Construction Cost Standard” DIN 276, which is used by every architect when preparing estimates and calculating costs.
Building automation was included in this standard as a “construction contract” in 1993. The revised version, valid for 2006, introduced some changes, which also affect AZ
(Table 1).
Another mechanism of internal regulation is the entire documentation of the Joint Commission on the Application of Electronics in Construction GAEB.
In addition, the regulations of the Working Group on Technological and Electrical Equipment of State and Municipal Administrative Institutions AMEV, the Association of German Engineers VDI 3813 “Room Automation” and 3814 “Building Automation”, as well as the Association of German Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Systems Manufacturers VDMA and the Federal Industrial Society for Heating, Air Conditioning and Sanitary Engineering BHKS are relevant for building automation. Of course, the electrical engineering rules, i.e. the collection of instructions of the Association of German Electricians VDE, apply to switchboard cabinets and electrical wiring.
The new VDI 3814–2:2005 provides a convenient overview of all the regulatory mechanisms used in the field of building automation. The lists of works in the collection of standard building contracts according to GAEB guideline 070 (field of work: building automation) and the procedure for awarding contracts and contracts for construction work DIN 18386 describe the applicable methods for regulating building automation projects. All standards cited in the collection of standard building contracts are freely available on the GAEB website (gaeb.de) in the Download section.
Worldwide standard for building automation
The ISO 205 technical committee represents the “interested parties” of 24 countries that participate in the development of the building automation standard components. In addition to the European EU member states, these include Australia, Egypt, Canada, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, South Africa and the USA.
Many of them, as well as a number of other countries, adopt all ISO standards as their national standards, and in some countries, ISO standards become legally binding.
The main sections of the regulatory documents on AZ were unanimously approved.
Today, the DIN EN ISO 16484 set of standards on AZ includes hardware of AZ systems (Section 2), standardized AZ functions (Section 3), AZ communication protocol (Section 5) and compatibility testing (Section 6).
Sections 1 (“General information and terms”), 4 (“Room automation”) and 7 (“Project planning and execution”) are under development.
Contents of the international standard EN ISO 16484 on automation systems
EN ISO 16484
Section 1 “General information and terms”
Section 1 provides a complete list of terms with their explanations, abbreviations and acronyms as a “dictionary” of the industry. It offers translations of the terms into English, French, Russian and German.
The main part contains an overview of the building automation structure and a description of the contents of all subsequent sections of this normative document and their interrelation, therefore this section will be prepared at the final stage of the work. The modern building automation dictionary, developed to date and included in this voluminous work, can be requested from the author of this article (Hans@Kranz) if necessary.
EN ISO 16484 — Section 2
“Hardware”
The second part of the standard 2 was officially adopted in Germany in October 2004. It describes the requirements that elements of building automation systems must meet.
These include service units and devices, control devices, automated stations and specialized control and regulation units, field devices, wiring and network system connection, data exchange interface units and design and commissioning devices. The various network connection options are presented in a graphical design.
(Fig. 1).
This functional level display no longer uses the outdated “pyramid diagram” or the BA block diagrams with the ordering of the data exchange protocols. These methods are no longer relevant, since all temporary/experimental BA standards have been withdrawn. The new diagrams can contain all practical connections/topologies for building automation devices, and also contain modern device designation terms.
From the preface to the BA standard:
The European standard EN ISO 16484-2: October 2004 “BA hardware” was developed in collaboration with ISO Technical Committee 205 “Building interior design” and CEN Technical Committee 247 “Building automation and control”.
This standard, EN ISO 16484–2, together with EN ISO 16484–3, replaces DIN V 32734:1992 “Digital building automation – General requirements for planning and implementation”.
It includes the German version of the European standard EN ISO 16484–2:2004, as well as the German translation of the international standard ISO 16484–2:2004. It contains the terms and definitions used in sections 2 and 3 of the EN ISO 16484 standards.
The various electrical and electromagnetic environment requirements in force in America, Asia and Europe are described in regional supplements to the standards. Technical Committee CEN 247 and CENELEC 205 have set up a joint working group for this purpose for Europe.
These supplements concern the regional application of IEC standards in the field of electromagnetic compatibility and electrical safety (e.g. IEC 61000–6–3 ed. 2.0 (2006–07) Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Section 6–3: Generic standards – Emission standard for residential, commercial and industrial environments).
The European specifications will be contained in the sections of the planned standard:
• temporary EN 50491: General requirements for electrical system equipment for private homes and buildings and for building automation (BA) systems; Section 5–1: General requirements, conditions and EMC test designs;
• temporary EN 50491; Section 5–2: EMC requirements for small systems used in residential, commercial, light industrial and small business environments;
• interim EN 50491; Section 5–3: EMC requirements for large systems in residential, commercial, light industrial and small business environments;
• interim EN 50491; Section 5–4: EMC requirements for industrial environments.
EN ISO 16484 – Section 3 “Functions”
Section 3 describes the requirements that the software and functions of the automation systems, specialized depending on the project, must meet, as well as the planning and design of the automation systems themselves. This section contains, in accordance with the regulations, a list of the automation functions and an introduction to the methods of their application. A description of the functions and additional clarification of them using examples of functional blocks is provided.
The planning of the automation system is based on the automation scheme developed on the basis of the standard DIN EN ISO 10628 “Design schemes of process equipment — general rules”.
(Fig. 2).
The automation scheme of devices included in the engineering systems of the building is the source material for defining in the planner the functions of information points, the functions of processing and data exchange for full-scale automation, as well as the system-user interface (interfaces) for maintenance and management of energy consumption and technical maintenance.
The device diagram, which serves as the source material for the automation diagram, and the technical data required for the installation of actuators and the switchgear cabinet, must be provided by the mechanical device planner. Examples of automation diagrams and the corresponding AZ function lists for all contracts are reflected in the document VDI 3814–4.
VDI 3814 1:2005 includes a function planner
as a template for table calculations on a data carrier, which is not included in the regulations. However, the global standard describes a number of other requirements that the AZ software must meet, and provides a comprehensive hardware example.
The BIG-EU association has published a table on the Internet that organizes the BACnet standard object types according to the AZ functions (see the chapter on BACnet and big-eu.org/service/publikationen/).
A computer program that is neutral with respect to the manufacturers of AZ systems (e.g. TRIC from Mervisoft) offers the possibility of creating a list of AZ functions in EXCEL format from the automation scheme of engineering equipment.
A set of relevant functions, compiled taking into account the main tasks or technical devices used, is included as part of the list of works. When placing contracts, the participant can obtain information from the application about the necessary hardware manufactured by a particular manufacturer.
The function planner is used as a calculation table for documenting and summarizing all building automation functions. Functions are components of complex programs that process information coming from dedicated physical or shared data points.
Grouping of AZ functions in the function planner corresponds to the requirements of a particular project, contains in one list of works a comprehensive, ready-to-use description of the functions of a particular data point and, accordingly, the specified functionality of the devices.
Thus, the description of functions includes, as required by the VOB Procedure for the Placement of Contracts and Agreements for Construction Work, all data on technical processing and design (engineering) required for a particular function, such as:
• technical explanation of the task statement, borrowed from the production planning documentation (technical assignment),
• design — implementation of installation and interior work planning (obligations),
• assignment of addresses, parameters, interfaces and modes of operation for each information point,
• technical processing and input of addresses, characteristics, operating ranges, dimensions, SI units, installation of software parts/programs and input of corresponding parameters; this stage includes markers and functions of control logic diagrams, commissioning, adjustment and functional testing, instruction of operating services and documentation.
Therefore, the lists of construction works compiled taking into account the Procedure for the placement of contracts and agreements for construction works VOB/C DIN 18386 and the List of standard works STLB 070 do not provide for other difficult to calculate «engineering works» for the automation of buildings. Of course, the sum of the items of the described standard functions of the AZ can be rounded off when placing an order.
EN ISO 16484 – Section 4 «Appendices» (Automation of premises)
Section 4 is intended for applied communication automation applications of integrated (covering all subcontracting works) room automation and for special products, for example for optimization of automation of heating, ventilation convectors or fan coils, as well as for regulation of parameters of individual rooms equipped with air conditioning devices with constant and variable air volume (VAV), including for control of chilled ceilings.
The processing of Section 4 will continue after Section 7 of the ISO standards has been completed. By that time, the formation of a national opinion on room automation, guided by the VDI 3813 instruction, should be completed.
EN ISO 16484 — Section 5 «Data exchange protocol»
Part 5 includes the BACnet standard, which is used as a protocol for AZ systems.
BACnet defines a large number of rules governing the exchange of coded data containing binary, analog and alphanumeric information between system units, thereby ensuring their interoperability.
The protocol's communication objects offer the ability to identify and access information without knowing the details of the internal structure or configuration of the interconnected units.
BACnet, an American standard ANSI/ASHRAE 135, was adopted by ISO and CEN, which supplemented it to meet the needs of Japan and Europe.
The ASHRAE team involved interested Europeans from the very beginning. This resulted in the adoption of the KNX standard (EIB) as a normative component of the BACnet standard (Chapter H.5 “Use of BACnet in combination with EIB/KNX) (Fig. 4).
In August 2006, KNXnet/IP was unanimously adopted as the European standard “Electronic systems for the private home and building” EN 13321-2. The KNX information used in BACnet objects can be retrieved from the ETS (Engineering Tool Software) computer program.
The aim of including KNX in BACnet is a comprehensive and smooth integration of building system technology into the building automation system and ease of design and engineering work.
BACnet defines services and objects for the exchange of information for data processing and automation devices used to control the operation of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration devices, as well as other building engineering systems.
This protocol includes a significant number of objects, due to which it provides the exchange of coded data containing binary, analog, and alphanumeric information, related in particular to:
• input of measured values – objects for input of analog value;
• output of control/set value – objects for output of analog value;
• input of measured value;
• input of notification – objects for input of binary value, objects for input of multi-level value;
• output of switching program – objects for output of binary value, objects for output of multi-level value;
• virtual values – objects for analog value, objects for binary value, objects for multi-level value, measured value objects
• arithmetic mean objects, trend objects;
• character strings;
• time plan data;
• alarm and event data
• files
• automation programs (parameters).
In the BACnet protocol, each building automation system is described as a collection of data structures called objects, whose properties reflect various aspects of the hardware, software, and control of the devices.
These objects provide the ability to identify and access data without knowing the details of the implementation or configuration of the internal devices.
The AZ industry is relying on BACnet primarily for strategic reasons – due to the need for a specialized protocol for the needs of the industry that could be adopted globally. BACnet has the required functionality and flexibility and supports standardized extensions according to the needs of a particular company.
From a technical point of view, BACnet supports complex request processing in a standardized manner, such as the Change of State (COS) alarm, event logging and archiving, device status, time and calendar functions, signal distribution, etc.
An overview of the integration possibilities of other engineering systems, such as those needed for fire and burglary alarms, building access control, maintenance and facility status management, is presented in Fig. 2.
Experience shows that defining a data exchange method (“protocol”) is necessary, but not sufficient.
To implement practical projects, it is necessary that all functions of various products, systems and devices are precisely tuned to each other.
In each case, responsibility for their coordination should be fixed by contract, taking into account that mutual contractual obligations between the various suppliers of systems that are to be linked to each other are generally absent.
In the circles of specialists of the Association of German Engineers VDI, guidelines are being developed for new “communication” technologies: the VDI 3814-5 working group is working on the system integration of building automation, and the VDI 6010-1 working group is working on the functionality of complex system interfaces used in building security systems. Their use protects all parties involved from unpleasant “surprises” on construction sites.
EN ISO 16484 – Section 6 “Data exchange — Testing compatibility“
Section 6 describes the technical requirements that the environment and test methods must meet to test the compatibility of automation system products with the protocol.
The degree of compatibility of the functions presented in the Protocol implementation conformance statement (PICS) is determined in the normative testing process. In addition, the requirements necessary for the qualitative assessment of the system under test are described. The list of products that have participated in the testing is published on the official BACnet web page (e.g. bacnet.org).
EN ISO 16484 – Section 7 “Project planning and execution”
Section 7 describes a structured method for planning, contracting and implementing building automation and system integration projects.
It covers the entire process sequence of a system, from task assignment to commissioning, taking into account the special requirements and procedures required when combining unrelated systems (based on VDI 3814–5).
Integration of unrelated systems includes products, systems and devices with integrated interfaces, e.g. cooling units, heating boilers, pumps, lifts. To successfully implement such integration without unexpected over-budget costs, it is necessary to define a suitable data exchange protocol and network technology.
According to this part of the standard, it will be necessary to describe the coordinated functions of the various products, systems and devices, as well as to define the authority responsible for the system integration.
Planning of the AZ according to the global standard is an honorable task
Today, the calculation of equipment costs for determining the contract amount, carried out according to the AZ functions according to DIN EN ISO 16484-3, is a more appropriate method than the calculation according to the previously generally accepted positions of the hardware of the AZ system.
The intellectual work of the consulting engineer can only be adequately assessed according to the positions of the AZ functions in the list of works.
Because the planner clearly documents his ideas using standardized functions, using the automation scheme and the list of data points extended to the list of AZ functions, the equipment manufacturer is able to calculate his costs in price terms, rather than just estimating them.
Because the functions are fully and clearly described in the list of works, customers and operating services clearly see the functionality they receive and the return on certain devices.
In case of doubt, no one feels cheated.
The standardized AZ functions were agreed upon as a result of the joint work of the main companies — market participants (customers of construction works, consulting engineers, AZ manufacturers and companies producing heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment).
They were then approved as technical rules and enshrined in the Procedure for the placement of construction contracts and contracts for construction work (General Technical Rules ATV DIN 18386).