Successful integration of GEZE systems into the building management system (BMS) at the Vector IT Campus
The new company headquarters of Stuttgart-based IT specialists Vector Informatik, the largest building in the company complex so far, has opted for state-of-the-art building technology. GEZE has contributed to the 'smart building' approach with customised digital networking solutions and safety technology.
Everything under control thanks to BACnet-based building management technology
Over 180 door solutions from GEZE, via IO 420 interface modules in the building automation system GEZE Cockpit networked and integrated into the BACnet building management technology.
GEZE implemented over 180 high-quality, mainly multifunctional safety door systems in the new IT campus building. To enable all automated door systems to be centrally monitored and controlled at the same time, they were networked via interface modules in the GEZE Cockpit building automation system and integrated into the BACnet building management technology. GEZE-specific door distribution boxes were used here: all supply lines and the IO 420 BACnet interface module are brought together at this central door node point. The uniform structure of the GEZE door distribution box provides the building manager with an overview of the interface with other product groups at every door, and therefore of all of the networked building technology.
Networking solutions by GEZE
- customised digital networking solutions with Building Automation and Control Networks BACnet, the standardised protocol for building technology
- smart networking thanks to the GEZE Cockpit building automation system
- central monitoring and control of more than 180 doors in the building management system – even greater comfort and safety
- interdisciplinary functionality and interaction –can be checked any time and from anywhere
- optimised energy-efficiency due to the interaction of door technology and climate control – thus reducing operating costs
- support in the planning and construction phase: Communication between product group experts
'Smart' doors with the GEZE Cockpit building automation system and the interface module IO 420
The core of the 'smart building' concept: the GEZE IO 420 BACnet interface module. © GEZE GmbH
GEZE Cockpit and the IO 420 interface modules control the data exchange between doors and the building management system (BMS) using the standardised BACnet protocol. 'Door intelligence' information (such as whether the door mode is open or closed, locked or unlocked, or interference) is provided by the IO 420 module via BACnet MS/TP. GEZE Cockpit translates BACnet MS/TP to BACnet/IP. The system provides all the information about the status and function of a door. This is forwarded to the central computer, documented and clearly visualised. Data is filtered by GEZE Cockpit to create the added bonus of reduced data traffic on the network.
In the event of an alarm, malfunction or door manipulation, the building management can react immediately, such as releasing the doors on escape routes to provide emergency exit protection (EEP) or by locking panic locks.
Free-standing spiral staircase in the IT campus foyer.
Networked door systems in the 'gateway to the campus'
Perfect for fine-framed doors: discreet electric strikes by GEZE.
The 500 m² glazed foyer, open over all four floors, is the 'gateway to the IT campus' and has an impressive bright, open atmosphere. Combined door solutions in the entrance area combine accessibility, access control, burglar resistance, emergency exit protection and reliable smoke extraction in the event of a fire.
- Two identical, three-leaf fully-automatic revolving doors manage the daily flow of visitors. These are also equipped with automatic curved sliding doors as night-time closers.
- Two double-leaf automatic emergency exits with 'strong' Powerturn swing door drives on the right and left of the revolving doors ensure accessibility, and allow them to be easily opened manually as well, thanks to the Smart swing function.
- One of the emergency exits is designed as supply SHEV fresh air opening with K 600 retractable arm drives. In the event of a fire, the door leaves automatically open wide, so that smoke and heat can escape.
- Thanks to its access control system and a self-locking panic lock IQ lock AUT, the other emergency exit acts as a full panic door: in the event of danger, it can be opened by anyone from the inside even in its locked status.
A key security component of the entire door system is the networked door central unit TZ 320: the building managers can change the status of the doors remotely at any time, adjust them or change the operating mode (e.g. ‘hold open') via the building management technology. Central commands can be given for single, several or all doors, and doors can also be time-programmed.
Multifunctional doors: convenient and centrally operated
A multifunctional safety door in the first floor provides access as required to authorised persons only. With the GEZE Powerturn F drive, the FT500 electric strike and the TZ 320 door control unit, the door acts as both a fire section door and an accessible emergency exit. When opening is authorised, by pressing the emergency push button of the door control unit or by activating the fire alarm system, the FTV 320 escape door lock unlocks the door. The interior doors of the office complex are also equipped with different variants of the GEZE electric strike portfolio, with Powerturn drives and/or an access control system. Like the fire section door, they are networked into the building management system and can be monitored and controlled remotely by the building management.
Discreet door appearance plus intelligent networking
GEZE meets building automation requirements in a state-of-the-art design: the 7 cm high Powerturn drive, the FTV 320 escape door lock and the electric strike can be integrated very discreetly into the door section. The TZ 320 designer stainless steel-look door control unit has a backlit LED display which visibly indicates the status of the door.
The door control unit
Complex door technology: The LED background lighting shows the 'locked' door mode. © Jürgen Pollak / GEZE GmbH
Full panic emergency exits
The double-leaf full panic emergency exits are also integrated into the building management technology.
A good combination: SHEV and emergency exit protection in one
Hold-open systems networked via the building management technology also act as climate control. © Jürgen Pollak / GEZE GmbH
The door system hold-open systems and air conditioning control in the company restaurant work together in the building management technology. Double-leaf full panic emergency exits enable easy access, and act as a fresh air opening in the event of a fire. If a danger is detected, the MBZ 300 SHEV control panel unlocks the IQ lock AUT self-locking panic lock, and automatically opens the door to its maximum opening width via the K 600 retractable arm drive. At the same time, the smoke extraction motors are activated by the SHEV control panel alarm mode. The door mode is automatically transmitted to the building management system, allowing the building manager to act immediately: if the alarm status is reset, the hold-open systems will close using the door closers and lock automatically.
Networking of door closers and climate control
Complex door technology: fine-framed and centrally controllable. © Jürgen Pollak / GEZE GmbH
The benefit of networking door systems in building management systems is that the doors can be manually set for natural ventilation in summer and closed electrically by the GEZE electric hold-open function in the guide rail of the door closer. Via the building management system, the building manager can determine when the doors have to be closed, for example after close of business. The door mode recorded by the building management system is transmitted to the climate control system, which can then regulate temperatures in an energy-efficient way. This allows for efficient energy management and helps to save on heating costs and to conserve natural resources.
The 'intelligent' door control thus combines energy efficiency with break-in prevention.
The project was awarded a platinum German Sustainable Building Council certificate, and received the council’s diamond status for outstanding architecture with unique design and cultural building quality
Sustainable construction thanks to building automation
According to a study by Bitkom, 1/3 of Germany’s entire energy demand is attributable to the buildings sector. Together with traffic and industrial production, buildings are thus one of the biggest consumers of energy and causes of CO2 emissions in Germany. According to the study’s findings, the biggest potential to reduce CO2 emissions is to reduce energy demand through building automation.
As an innovative technology company, Vector Informatik relies on state-of-the-art technology and concepts and was awarded platinum certification by the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB). The project also received the council's diamond status for outstanding architecture with unique design and cultural building quality. The new building contributes to the conservation of resources in multiple ways. For example, construction materials were selected using sustainability criteria, and intelligent building control has reduced energy consumption. In total, all these measures are helping to reduce operating CO2 emissions by around 460 tonnes per year.
Property-specific wiring schematics and coordination of product groups
We designed and implemented customised wiring schematics together with the customer to improve the execution of construction work and interface coordination. What makes these customer-specific, property-related wiring schematics so special is that it meant that we were able to solve the interface problem between the door and electrical product groups in a way that also took into account external product groups and responsibilities, which is otherwise relatively uncommon in the sector.
We value partners who actively share our thinking and the design. With GEZE, we know that we will get forward-looking and solutions-oriented advice even from the planning phase. The cable plans specially tailored to our project helped to save time and costs in the construction phase.
Sebastian Gaiser, Construction Manager at VectorProfessional services throughout the building life cycle
We support buildings throughout the entire life cycle – from the conception and planning to the installation and assembly, right through to service and maintenance or the renovation of a building. In doing so, we optimally support all subsections involved and connect interfaces – always with the goal of creating liveable buildings. Find out how that works and what it involves in our expert discussion.
Project-related cable plans and coordination of the product groups
Together with the customer, we designed and implemented individual cable plans for improved construction management and interface coordination. What set these customer-specific and project-related cable plans apart: the interface problem between the door and electrical product groups could be resolved in this way, because external product groups and responsibilities were also taken into account – which is otherwise quite unusual in the industry.
We understand ourselves as a comprehensive and holistic service provider. This means that we do more than just supply our customers with outstanding GEZE products. We want to truly understand our customers’ needs and challenges and solve their problems. Thanks to our many years of technical and industry expertise, we know what networking means in the project at hand, and what hazards to look out for.
Christian Schulze Dieckhoff, Director Field Sales at GEZE
Professional planning, implementation and services across the entire building life cycle – all from a single source.
Planning, implementation and services all from a single source
The combination of customised project consulting, GEZE products and services from a single source provides many advantages. The customer always has a contact at GEZE throughout the various phases of the project, from door planning and installation to ongoing building management by GEZE Services.
This complete package is clearly a convincing one: Vector Informatik has already entrusted four buildings at their location in Stuttgart to GEZE solutions, such as the integration of building management technology using the GEZE Cockpit. We will also be involved in the planning for the next buildings – this is what future-orientated collaboration looks like!
GEZE products at the Vector company headquarters
- Modular building automation system GEZE Cockpit
- Interface module IO 420
- three-leaf, fully automatic revolving doors
- Powerturn swing door drives
- K 600 retractable arm drives
- GEZE access control systems
- IQ AUT self-locking panic lock
- Networked door control unit TZ 320
- GEZE Powerturn F drive
- FT500 electric strike
- FTV 320 escape door lock
- MBZ 300 SHEV control panel
- TS 5000 R-ISM ECline door closer with guide rail system
Networking solutions by GEZE
This reference was realised with GEZE Cockpit. We have now launched a new generation of the connectivity solution: myGEZE Connectivity with myGEZE Control and myGEZE Visu.
Facts about myGEZE Control:
- Integration of GEZE products into building automation via BACnet
- Depending on the hardware configuration, up to 200 GEZE products can be connected
- Safety data exchange via the BACnet and KNX communication standard
- BTL certified according to BACnet standard ISO 164845
- Powerful hardware for installation in control cabinets (top hat rail mounting)
- BACnet device profile BACnet Building Controller B-BC
As an extension, the myGEZE Visu visualisation software can be used for all connected product systems and offers building operators and facility managers convenient options for individually controlling scenarios and monitoring door and window systems.
More about myGEZE Connectivity
