SBA 450: BAS Site Audits

In Episode 450 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, Phil Zito dives deep into the process of conducting site audits for building automation systems. This episode is a comprehensive guide aimed at both professionals looking to retrofit existing systems and building owners seeking to upgrade their building automation systems. Phil emphasizes that this audit focuses on assessing the system rather than energy usage, aiming to gather critical information for making informed decisions about retrofits, scheduling changes, or updates within a building automation system. Key Highlights: Understanding the Scope: The importance of meeting with the customer or evaluating your needs to understand the specific issues or goals, ensuring the audit collects relevant information. Collecting Essential Documentation: Gathering mechanical, electrical, building automation, and IT documentation is crucial. This includes equipment nameplates, MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) documents, control submittals, and IP network diagrams to understand the existing infrastructure thoroughly. Building Automation System Exploration: Performing a system export to identify controllers, the system tree, logical and physical points, graphics, and program copies. This helps understand the operational scope of the BAS and identify any discrepancies between planned and actual operations. Assessing Deficiencies and Risks: Documenting deficiencies discovered during the audit, discussing these with the customer, and planning how to address them. This includes considering the project's scope, timeline, budget, and any potential risks or impacts on the building's operations. Creating a Comprehensive Report: Compiling the findings into a detailed report to guide decision-making for retrofits or upgrades. This report is a crucial tool for outlining the project scope, timeline, and budget in collaboration with the customer. The Importance of a Thorough Audit: Phil stresses the value of a detailed site audit, which can reveal risks and necessary considerations for a project, potentially extending beyond the initial scope to ensure all aspects of the BAS and related systems are adequately addressed. Join Phil Zito in this episode for an insightful discussion on conducting effective building automation system site audits, a vital process for any retrofit or upgrade project. Whether you're a professional in the field or a building owner, this episode offers valuable frameworks and strategies for assessing and planning BAS projects.

Om Podcasten

If you want to learn building automation then you are in the right place. My name is Phil Zito and I am the CEO of Smart Buildings Academy. If you are a technician, operator, salesperson, or engineer the Smart Buildings Academy podcast is for you. Each week I tap into my vast experience in Building Automation and teach you the things no one else teaches. You will learn about BAS, HVAC, IT, Energy Management, Sales, Operations, Project Management, Cyber Security and so much more. Prior to founding Smart Buildings Academy, I held a variety of BAS roles in service, install, operations management, sales, and most recently I led the technical integration program at Johnson Controls. Suffice to say, I've been in your shoes and I know what you need to learn. I look forward to guiding you through BAS in the weekly Smart Buildings Academy Podcast.