Building automation as a great opportunity for fabricators
In public buildings, where large numbers of people come and go every day, intelligent building automation is essential today. This development impacts the fabricators who install these products as well. Markus Benecke, Connectivity Consultant at GEZE, explains in an interview how fabricators can take advantage of the great opportunities this technical development offers with only minor adjustments.
Mr Benecke, what exactly does automation mean in the context of modern building construction, and why is this topic so relevant?
Efficient and safe building automation and control system for GEZE products © GEZE GmbH
Non-contact sensors are used whenever manual activation is required – for instance, for hygienic reasons – but needs to be non-contact. © GEZE GmbH
Building automation is a question of optimisation. The standards for energy efficiency and safety in buildings are now so high, and because of this so difficult to implement, that they can no longer be achieved with passive buildings. In passive buildings, doors and windows are opened and closed manually or mechanically. To achieve such high standards, we need Smart Buildings: buildings that are equipped with building automation and decide for themselves when to open or close doors and windows, if possible, to save energy and ensure efficient ventilation. The Building Energy Act, which significantly increased the minimum requirements for building automation, also plays a role in this respect.
What does this development mean for fabricators; will it lead to major changes? And what about opportunities?
This is the biggest advantage of this development for fabricators: the changes in their actual work are relatively small, but the opportunities are great. First and foremost, the aim is for fabricators to be open to the topic of building automation and prepared to engage with it. The question is always: How can I work with and deal with these developments? And there are different approaches to doing so. Cooperation is essential above all, because not everyone involved can always carry out all the necessary work. Particularly in large, publicly accessible buildings where there are large numbers of people, intelligent ventilation control, reliable door control and guaranteed accessibility must be ensured. To be involved in such building projects, I as a fabricator have to be open to change and work together with other stakeholders. After all, this is above all an opportunity.
Markus Benecke, Connectivity Consultant at GEZE, explains why building automation is so important. © GEZE GmbH
What does this look like in concrete terms, and what do fabricators have to do first and foremost?
Above all, they should broaden their horizons beyond the scope of their previous work. A door that was installed a few years ago as an autonomous, mechanical door now has to be assembled as an automated door because it has to meet higher and more complex requirements. This means that a metalworker, for example, also has to deal with electrotechnical considerations. In response, you have to prepare your employees for this and train them accordingly, hire new employees or turn to external service providers. In specific cases, however, the fabricators working on the automated components on a construction site may also coordinate.
Could fabricators also expand their teams so that they can eventually offer everything?
Yes, they could either hire electricians or other relevant specialists, or train their employees in other work areas. They can get this kind of education at training institutes. A mechanic could then be authorised to make certain electrical connections, i.e. he would receive further training in the electrotechnical field. This is particularly useful if such tasks have to be carried out frequently. Alternatively, you can of course also bring in partner companies, i.e. Different service providers, or even GEZE itself.
Visual interface Emergency exit alarm message © GEZE GmbH
GEZE uses the open standard BACnet for software communication in its building automation system myGEZE Control and in myGEZE VISU+. So, does that mean manufacturers need to be familiar with it as well?
No, that is precisely the advantage of GEZE working with BACnet. The fabricator just needs to be aware that they need to establish the interface to a Smart Building via BACnet. However, fabricators can rest assured that BACnet is certified and implemented in GEZE products in accordance with all standards, and that any software that can process BACnet can control our doors. This doesn’t change anything about the functions or configuration of the door that the fabricator installs. It can just be controlled via BACnet.
GEZE Control & myGEZE Visu
With myGEZE Control, door, window and safety systems can be networked centrally. myGEZE Visu offers the option of visualisation so that building operation and safety can be further optimised.
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Markus Benecke, Connectivity Consultant at GEZE, explains how GEZE products can be connected to building automation systems. © GEZE GmbH
So basically, not much will change in this area for fabricators?
There will be no fundamental changes to their core work. The doors and windows themselves will still be designed in exactly the same way as before, as the intelligent systems are only in the products used to control the doors and windows. This also means the price stays the same, since there are no additional products that need to be installed. All GEZE products can be connected to the building automation system. This is another opportunity for fabricators, of course, as they can expand their range of services in this way. If a fabricator does not have the capacity to handle commissioning themselves, it can be carried out by service providers such as GEZE Service. So in case of doubt, it's not a question of capability, but of coordination.
There is one important aspect after installation: What needs to be considered if there is a warranty claim?
This depends entirely on the specific agreements and the range of services offered by the fabricator. If GEZE itself was responsible for commissioning, then in most cases there is a maintenance and service contract with the end customer. In this case the fabricator doesn't come into play at all. However, if this is not the case and the fabricator is responsible for the warranty, they can contact GEZE Service, who will then take care of maintenance.
So in general, the topic of building automation does offer advantages and opportunities for fabricators in particular?
Absolutely. Building automation brings advantages for fabricators in terms of having more options during the construction phase. On top of that, building automation also makes things easier for fabricators in the day-to-day operation of a building after a product has been installed. Because such systems can analyse problems to find out what faults are present, they make it very easy to determine the right solution. This makes it clear very quickly whether a technician is needed, for example, or whether the problem is not even with the installed product itself. This is particularly advantageous for fabricators when it comes to warranties.
The opportunities and advantages are obvious. GEZE also supports fabricators in this area through training, through GEZE Service and as a general partner. The changes in how work gets done are not that major for the individual – fabricators just need to be open, communicate with each other and coordinate. In order for individual products to communicate with each other later on, fabricators and technicians need to communicate with each other from the outset.
© GEZE GmbH
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GEZE supports fabricators in all project phases. GEZE offers comprehensive services for planning, implementation and maintenance, to construct liveable and sustainable buildings. GEZE also offers product training courses that are specially designed around the needs of fabricators.
