Hello Everyone,
We have a large auditorium that seats about 150 people...we have a system in that space that not only controls the lights, but also screens, sound and IT functions. It has been pre-set with various settings for lights; however, it is not interconnected with our BAS system and it is a system that is manually controlled to adjust settings...lights throughout the building, except in offices and meeting rooms, are programmed to shut off after hours. We have plans to install sensors in the meeting and office rooms not controlled by the BAS, but it would not be feasible to place such sensors in this room with sophisticated controls already in place. Will this Audtitorium/ Conference's set up room hurt our ability to attain the credit? Thanks so much.
Hannah Bronfman
Senior Associate99 thumbs up
June 21, 2012 - 1:39 pm
Hi Elizabeth
I'm a little confused on what's going on in the building, so let me know if this description makes sense:
- There is a BAS system for the entire building's HVAC equipment, including the auditorium
- There are is a separate BAS (or similar) in the auditorium that controls lighting and other IT functions
- The lights throughout the rest of the building are programmed to shut off after hours and you plan on installing occupancy sensors (though not tied to the BAS)
Is the above correct? If so, then the description you've given should already meet the credit requirements. The point is the controllability, not that one system controls everything - if a building space has such different usage patterns (i.e. an auditorium), then it seems reasonable to have another BAS controlling the functions related to that space. Just make sure that HVAC and lighting is controlled for the entire building.
Additionally, providing local automatic controls (occupancy sensors) for lighting is considered to be an acceptable level of automation for this credit; no BAS tie-in is required.
Let me know if this answers your question or if I have something confused.
Thanks,
Hannah
Elizabeth Crenshaw Hammitt
Environmental CoordinatorEPB
75 thumbs up
June 21, 2012 - 1:50 pm
Thanks so much for the quick reply, Hannah! One detail that may not have come accross is that the BAS in the auditorium can not be set to automatically power the lights off. Though controled from a digital panel, the controls are technically manual - does this complicate our effort to earn the credit? Thanks again so much for your insight!
Hannah Bronfman
Senior Associate99 thumbs up
June 21, 2012 - 2:03 pm
OK, so then it probably won't meet the credit requirements, because the system has to have a user interface that provides trend information. It also has to have a data capacity to store at least one more of trend outputs.
That said, if you install localized lighting controls like sensors (since these don't have to be tied to the BAS), then the space meets the credit requirements.