Page 131 - Designing for Zero Carbon - Case Studies of All-Electric Buildings

OBSERVATIONS DESIGNING FOR ZERO CARBON
that will be more comfortable and more energy-efficient. Modern building management sys- tems (BMS) will control and coordinate the linked subsystems that produce these effects— automatic blinds for optimal sun control, operable windows for free cooling and fresh air, electric light controls to maximize daylight and minimize glare and occupancy sensors for waste-free cooling. This will be standard and cost-effective.
As some of the case studies of this volume demonstrate, however, the commissioning of these subsystems and the BMS is best when coordinated in the design process and cer- tainly completed during the construction period. In one case, the commissioning was not completed prior to occupancy with predictable and unfortunate negative effect. As noted in previous case study volumes (see page xi of the Introduction), the commissioning has often been neglected as a building design discipline. In the era of smart building control systems, the commissioning agent should participate early in the process as a key member of the project team. This has been a continuing observation in these case study books.
• User training and involvement
Smart buildings to some degree can operate optimally to provide comfort and energy-effi- ciency through designed intelligent control systems. Within those designs, there is usually an accommodation for occupant interaction, but typically they operate best when the occu- pant is informed about the systems operations and behaves accordingly. Assuming that they are regular building users and have a sense of ownership of the spaces, then targeted sig- nage, user manuals and orientation meetings work well to optimize the use of the buildings systems. Electronic flat screen displays that can display real time performance data about the building operation encourage more occupant involvement and understanding.
For these case studies, these efforts at informing the users were not surprisingly more suc- cessful at the educational institutions.
Designing for Zero Carbon: Volume 1
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(Left) Examples of building sig- nage developed along with oc- cupant training sessions about how to control environmental conditions and operate basic systems in the workplace.