Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Data Interchange & Intelligent Buildings


            The required reading for this week was based on the idea of being able to exchange data between two different applications.  I believe that this is a step that needs to occur in order for BIM to really dominate the design field.  This occurred with CAD when it was created due to the large amounts of money and time that were being wasted.  The chapter mentions that the easiest way for data exchange to happen is when two companies enter into an agreement.  Table 3-1 was very informative, showing all of the file types, their classification and a brief description of what the file information is.  The chapter contained a lot of background information that was informative; however I didn’t find it interesting.  The section was a bit confusing as it seemed to be written for someone with a much deeper knowledge into computer science.  While the section was a little confusing, learning about how the different data models were created and their functionality it was fascinating.  The figures used in the reading this week were helpful in understanding what the chapter was talking about.  I liked how the book contained sections talking about the future of the exchange formats.  The section on the future of IFC did not contain what I was hoping it did.  The section mainly just talked about what currently is happening with the evolution of the format, saying that the new version is released every two years.  It talks about the approach to the new versions however it does not give any speculation into what will happen in 10 or 5 years even.  The list contained under the DWF and PDF section was really informative.  The list was the features of the formats, including what the items in the list actually mean.  I think the list would be more beneficial if it contained disadvantages of the formats too.  Section 3.6 was really helpful in gaining a full understanding of the different of file exchange and building model repositories.  The section seemed to say the repositories are a better option due to there being too much work to update file exchanges for different versions of programs.   I like the list of how repositories will be improved in the future based on the needs that are arising today. 
            The first additional source that I found was called “The Computer Integrated Building”.  This article contained an overview of the concept of the integrated building, starting from when the concept was first developed.  The article also contains a very descriptive figure that was derived from the European Intelligent Building Group.  The figure is a triangle with the different tiers broken up by years.  In each tier it shows how the different systems are in the buildings, showing that in the early 80’s every system was individually run, and up to the current century where everything is run under a single control.  The site gives examples of the first types of automated systems which the first example being based on electro-mechanical devices with wired logic controllers.  These systems were introduced in the 60’s.  Soon after, more systems started using this concept, including HVAC, security and other energy management.   The site continues to talk about the integrated communication systems where currently almost every form of communication is over the internet now: voice (VoIP), text (email) and video transmission (steaming, broadcasting, or conferencing).  The final topic mentioned by the site is the idea of the intelligent building and the need for interoperability.  Many of the items that the section mentions about the need to be incorporated into a building have already started making their way into buildings.  One interesting thing that the site mentions is that the main driving cause of the intelligent building push is not from the companies or academia, but rather from the industry and the market opportunities. 
            The second source that I read is from the National Research Council of Canada called “Development of fire detection systems in the intelligent building”.  This is a research paper discusses the current state of fire systems in a building along with how different technologies can be added to the system to improve the ability of responders to rescue and save lives.  The paper contains lots of information about the emerging sensors that can improve the system including the use of the security system to track all occupants in a building to ensure complete evacuation.  Furthermore this could help identify where occupants may be trapped to aid the speed or rescue, instead of checking room by room.  There is also work into sensors that can detect different chemicals or components in the air to determine whether or not there is a real danger, instead of just a false alarm.  One main cause of a false alarm is high levels of CO2, which could just be a sign of poor circulation in the room.  These sensors would be able to communicate with the HVAC system to determine if that is the malfunction, or if a fire is the cause.  Also one main emergence that is being added to many intelligent building is the use of wireless sensors and technologies.  This can aid in the monitoring of the entire building remotely, and help to avoid loss of sensor data should the communication cable be affected due to extreme temperatures.  The point I like the most is in the conclusion.  The paper mentions that the application of intelligent building technology may create new risks, and then mentions a few of them such as data overload when a problem occurs.  

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