|
 L&T-ECC's
Engineering Design and Research Centre (EDRC) building, at Manapakkam,
most certainly qualifies as an intelligent building. It is fully
automated in terms of energy management systems, life-safety systems,
telecommunications systems and workplace automation.
A combination of beauty and intelligence, the structure rises
like a tree, as a single trunk that spreads out shaping into juxtaposed
triangles at each floor level.
The Building Automation in the EDRC building comprises the following
features:
- Lighting Control System
- Access control System
- Fire detection system
- Utilities management
- AHU (Air Handling Units) control
- Public Address system
- Closed Circuit TV surveillance System
- Energy Monitoring
Lighting control
- Time based
- Occupancy based
- Ambient based
- Holiday schedules
- User Choice.
 As
possibly a first in India, the entire building is without any light
switch and the building is controlled entirely through networked
modules and software. The building is equipped with Wing Lighting
Control Units (WLCUs) provided at every entrance. Any employee
who wants to work over-time, can override the auto 'off' status.
The employee can select lighting in the desired area to turn 'on',
by merely touching the location on the display. The lights will
be 'on' for a pre-selected period, after which it will revert to
the auto 'off' status. If the user however changes his plans or
finishes his work early, he can give a passing touch to the panel
on his way out. The lighting will switch to auto 'off' mode within
the next half hour, by resetting its override.
The cabins are armed with a Passive Infra-Red (PIR) detector
to detect cabin occupation. Entry into a cabin switches the lighting
'on' and when the room is unoccupied for an extended period of time,
the lighting drowses into 'off' mode, and revives itself on the
next entry. As a special feature, window area lighting is controlled
with inhibit logic from the ambient light felt within the building.
Light sensors are installed in each floor.
All the Air Handling Units at the EDRC complex operate on automated
schedules and are integrated in to the fire-detection system to
trip, in the event of a fire in a specific wing.
Access Control Systems
The EDRC building is secured through access control and CCTV surveillance.
Entry is only through smart cards, embedded with a microchip and
a built-in antenna that functions as a radio transceiver. Each ID
has an unique alpha numeric code inscribed at the time of manufacture,
the combination yielding a tamper proof, non-duplicable ID that
can be read without visual contact, omni-directionally.
The access control system is integrated with the Building Automation
System. All the door locks will automatically release in case of
a fire emergency.
Fire Detection System
 The
fire alarm system at the complex is integrated with the alarm system
at the service building, located almost 100 meters away.
Thus a high degree of integration and the inherent facility to
be expanded in future is a highlight of this sub-system. The utilities
and power monitoring as well as the Public address system have been
added to show the enormous capability of the building automation
system. All pumps in the chiller area at the service block are monitored
by the system at the EDRC building.
ECC is in the business of construction. And buildings of the future
will demand more facilities and better energy optimisation, with
emphasis on better value for the owners and occupants. The EDRC
complex is conceived to serve as a template for such buildings.
| Author : Anuradha Sriraman |
|
 |
| |
 |
|
