Effective strategies for modern facilities require integrated, flexible controls built on industry standards. Intelligent buildings provide a way for building owners to achieve their sustainability goals, which are driving the need for integrated controls and interoperability, the essence of intelligent buildings.

An article in our archives, "Commercial Building Controls: Barriers & Opportunities ," by Kurt W. Roth, Ph.D., and Karen Benedek, defines building controls as follows, which I feel sums it succinctly: Building controls, particularly as part of an energy management and control system (EMCS), can manage a wide range of different building functions. The centralized nature of EMCS offers the potential for increased data/information exchange among different sensors and building systems, enabling integrated building systems. In turn, the increased volume of information about the building and its systems can further increase functionality.

 For more building controls and software editorial, visit www.SustainableFacility.com.

  What Facility Managers Need to Know About LEED Lighting Control Requirements
by Scott Jordan
Where does a facility manager fit into the LEED equation? No matter a building's use or age, a facility manager is most often the person whose task it is to evaluate the merits of a LEED project, make recommendations, be the primary project director and explain the program to facility occupants. Lighting control can be a key component of LEED projects, particularly when retrofitting existing buildings, due to the ease of installation of solutions like occupancy sensors and lighting control panelboards that facilitate a schedule-based lighting control system. Keep in mind that the average commercial building dedicates 30 percent of its energy usage or more to lighting. Obviously, lighting is necessary for work to get accomplished, but lighting control can help reduce electrical usage while still maintaining appropriate working conditions. A facility manager with an astute understanding of schedule- and occupancy-based lighting control can achieve both goals, en route to LEED certification. more

Committing to a Sustainable Work Environment
by Craig Bloomfield and Lucy Hodgson
Procter & Gamble's (P&G) 1.5 million-square-foot headquarters facility in Cincinnati received an ENERGY STAR label in February 2008, becoming one of the largest of the 650 private-sector office properties to gain such a distinction. The label, presented to buildings that are in the top 25 percent of efficient energy usage, as compared to typical office buildings, was a major achievement for the combined team of P&G and Jones Lang LaSalle professionals that has been working toward greater energy efficiency at the facility for several years, not only to save money, but also as part of P&G's overall commitment to sustainability.
   The P&G and Jones Lang LaSalle professionals spearheading the building energy initiative are collectively known as the Cincinnati GO Operations team, so named because the headquarters is known internally as the General Office. When Jones Lang LaSalle began managing P&G facilities worldwide in 2003, P&G had already taken steps toward greater energy efficiency, such as installing high-efficiency burners on existing boilers and DDC controls for HVAC and lighting systems. more

PC Power Management
by Simon Francis
While green issues are already a growing concern for every facility manager in the U.S., it could surprise you to learn that your building's most significant carbon footprint may not be caused by inadequate insulation or excessive air conditioning. The very PC (personal computer) you use at work every single day may shoulder the blame.