Engineered Systems NEWSHVAC Engineering SectorsHigh-Performance Buildings & AutomationCommercial HVAC

Smart Buildings Get Smarter: The Rise of Intelligent Sensor Networks

As buildings account for 40% of global emissions, automation giants compete to make spaces more sustainable

Building automation companies are racing to deploy sophisticated sensor networks that can detect everything from toxic gases to human occupancy patterns, transforming commercial spaces into intelligent buildings.

Johnson Controls, which traces its roots to the first thermostat in 1883, is one of several major players competing in the building automation and sensor market alongside Siemens, Schneider Electric, Honeywell and others. The company's sensor portfolio collects data on temperature, humidity, CO2 levels, and occupancy patterns, integrating these inputs into their building management systems. According to Kaishi Zhang, a global business and product leader at Johnson Controls, these sensor networks are becoming increasingly crucial as organizations look to reduce their carbon footprint, with buildings currently contributing to 40% of global emissions.

While Johnson Controls focuses primarily on environmental control sensors, they work alongside industrial automation specialists like Rockwell Automation for manufacturing applications, highlighting the increasingly interconnected nature of building and industrial technology.

The company's systems analyze sensor data through platforms like OpenBlue, converting raw measurements into actionable insights for building managers. This approach to data integration and analysis represents a broader industry trend, as building automation companies compete to offer more sophisticated environmental monitoring and control solutions.

Q: How has Johnson Controls integrated sensors into their systems?

A: Johnson Controls offers a comprehensive portfolio to meet and exceed our customers' building automation and controls needs. Sensors are an integral part of this, playing a crucial role in creating safe, comfortable, and sustainable buildings worldwide. Our sensors cover a wide range of applications, including temperature, humidity, occupancy, CO2, differential pressure, and toxic gas detection.

From an integration perspective, we offer both seamless integration and open architecture. For seamless integration, our NS8000 Series Network Sensors combine temperature, humidity, CO2, and occupancy sensing capabilities. They communicate on the SA bus for seamless integration into our Metasys and Facility Explorer building management systems, which helps customers optimize the total cost of ownership through standardized installation and services.

Q: How have sensors improved over the years?

A: Over the years, we've continuously improved our sensors by incorporating the latest sensing technologies. This ensures highly accurate and reliable data, crucial for optimizing building performance. Our sensors are designed to meet stringent regulatory requirements, ensuring buildings operate within legal and safety standards. We've also prioritized secure communication, safeguarding data integrity and system reliability.

Q: What role does Bluetooth technology play in your systems?

A: Bluetooth technology enhances our industry-leading controllers by providing efficient, flexible, and scalable communication. For example, we use Bluetooth in our Connected Workflow Bluetooth platform (CWCVT), which acts as a communication converter linking a hosted device to equipment controllers. This setup allows users to remotely configure controllers without needing physical access, streamlining commissioning and configuration processes.

Q: Can you summarize Johnson Controls' overall approach to building automation?

A: Nearly 40% of global emissions are caused by buildings, and at Johnson Controls, we believe there's no path to net zero without decarbonizing buildings. Our comprehensive building management systems, such as Metasys and Facility Explorer, and our OpenBlue digital solutions, provide real-time data visibility and optimize equipment operations. This end-to-end digital ecosystem transforms buildings into intelligent spaces, ensuring energy efficiency and occupant comfort.

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Austin Keating is the special section editor of SNIPS NEWS at The ACHR NEWS. He covers sheet metal, mechanical contractors, duct cleaning, testing and balancing, steel, building information modeling (BIM) and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC). Prior to joining BNP Media, he served as field editor for Prairie Farmer and media specialist at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications. Email him at keatinga@bnpmedia.com.