Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/331457
W Photo above: Centre for Digital and Performance Arts, Fanshawe College. Rendering by Architects Tillman Ruth Robinson; photos by Fanshawe College; all courtesy Durell Control Systems Inc. Below: L.M. Temperature Controls' 700,000 BTU Indirect Fired Temporary Heater was used at the Estée Lauder distribution warehouse in Scarborough, ON, during the 2013 ice storm. Get Smart The evoluTion of auTomaTed building conTrol sysTems by Bill Armstrong Wired and wireless networks have fundamentally changed the way we communicate and how we interact with one another. The tide of digital innovation continues to advance in all areas of our lives, including in the design and operation of smart buildings, so that they can interact with us. Automated building control systems make it possible to gather data on the performance of a building, or series of buildings, or inform you about how the systems are doing. These systems can provide a wide range of data to building owners or operators, but they do require careful and thoughtful integration to achieve maximum efficiency. The payoff includes easily managed controls for building managers, low operation and maintenance costs, improved health, safety and productivity for the building occupants, and the potential for reduced total life cycle ownership and operating costs. Occupying smart buildings may also help building owners and operators enhance their "green" corporate profile. "The most significant areas driving the development and adoption of smart building technology are building codes and standards," says Geoff MacMillan, Ontario district sales manager for WattStopper, an energy- efficient lighting control system offered by Legrand North America. "In addition, meeting code requirements increasingly means not only developing energy-efficient designs, but also providing detailed energy performance data. In most situations, network control systems provide the easiest access to that data," MacMillan notes. "Also, LEED buildings obtain credits for implementing measurement and verification of systems that monitor how the building consumes energy." L.M. Temperature Control Inc. fills a different niche, providing temporary heating, cooling, drying and power equipment for all types of situations, including 24/7 emergency services. The firm's specialty is providing climate control and power requirements for both planned projects and emergency situations, says sales and marketing manager Diane Gouge. "Our temporary heating, cooling and humidity control equipment can handle small to very large projects, and supply power from 40 kW to 2000 kW," Gouge explains. "A couple of examples of recently planned projects include the redevelopment of St. Catherine's Regional Hospital and Humber River Hospital. In those situations heating and drying are required to allow concrete to cure properly, and this is critical to keeping the entire project on its timeline. When it's warm and dry, paint and concrete dry faster, drywall damage is reduced, and workers are more productive," adds Gouge. Customers also call on L.M. to provide temporary services when conducting planned maintenance of cooling systems in plants, offices and data centres. The company has also provided temporary cooling or heating for onsite film and television productions. L.M. offers similar services in emergency circumstances, including some recent high-profile situations such as providing temporary power in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, and drying equipment following the floods in Thunder Bay in 2013. The company was also heavily involved in supplying equipment after the Toronto floods in July 2013, and the ice storm that hit parts of Ontario in December 2013. "In the case of the ice storm, we supplied everything from temporary power and heat to drying equipment for everything from retirement homes to grocery stores," Gouge says. "We can usually have equipment on site within a matter of hours, and we have the expertise to determine which is the right equipment to use, which is critical for our customers. We often come up with creative solutions for complicated problems, and this is really our specialty." While the company has customers that it works with regularly, it also maintains a 24-hour emergency line to respond to crisis situations, and assists companies in developing contingency plans for possible emergencies. This can save a lot of time and get systems back up and running quickly when disaster strikes. Tyco Integrated Security (TycoIS) is a security systems integrator, serving customers across a wide variety of fields, from commercial and industrial to transportation and logistics. The company provides security solutions to help safeguard against internal and external security threats, including fire, burglary, internal theft, intrusion, organized crime, inventory loss, fleet mismanagement and workplace violence. "Whether a customer has one location or has facilities worldwide, TycoIS is able to help companies protect their employees' customers facilities and operations from internal and external threats, and allow business to work smarter through enhanced security management and information management solutions," says Peter Dyk, director of product management and engineering for the company. When installing systems in multiple locations, Dyk adds, geography is a key factor. If the locations are in one state or province, local teams will handle the project. If the project extends beyond North America, a team working in the company's Global Centre of Excellence provides a single point of contact, offering engineering, drafting, conceptual design, program management, process development and system integration in one centralized location. This saves time and resources, and helps to resolve any issues quickly, Dyk notes. Once the system is installed, the company offers a complete customer support system, which includes monitoring options, maintenance agreements, warranty programs, ongoing software service, and tech-support. It also offers consultants experienced in business security for customers who do not have the resources to manage their security systems on their own. Automated control systems are changing the way building owners and operators monitor their properties for energy efficiency, safety, security and other variables. All of this can be done online, in real time, or by looking back into digital records accumulated over time. With smart buildings connected to computers, tablets, or smart phones, it is very likely that, "there's an app for that." n June 2014 /19 Automated Building Control Systems p.18-19Controls.indd 19 14-06-03 9:39 AM