Your Easy Guide to understand BMS System in Projects

What is the building management system (BMS)?

A building management system or (BMS), otherwise known as a building automation system or (BAS), is a computer-based control system that is installed in buildings.

The BMS can control, monitor the building’s mechanical and electrical equipment such as ventilation, lighting, power systems, fire systems, and security systems. 

But before we start talking in detail about this system, what are its benefits? Let us first imagine a story.

Your company awarded a new project; this project is not so complicated.

But at least it contains many MEP systems which will be installed inside it.

The MEP systems which can be controlled and/or monitored by the BMS system will be classified into three categories:-

(1): The first category is the mechanical systems and their equipment.

(2): The second category is electrical systems and their equipment.

(3) The third category is the low current systems.

So, we will start talking about mechanical systems:

The most common Mechanical equipment that you can find in most of the projects like:

1.01: Chillers either their type is air-cooled or water-cooled.

1.02: Chilled water pumps, either they are primary pumps or secondary pumps.

1.03: Air Handling Units or (AHU).

1.04: Fan coil unit or (FCU).

1.05: Variable Air Volume or (VAV).

1.06: Duct heaters.

1.07: Fans (like Exhaust Fans, Jet Fans, Pressurization fans at staircases, and Smoke extract fans on the roof level).

1.08: Elevators.

1.09: Pumps (Like Firefighting pumps, Domestic water pumps, Sump pumps, Irrigation pumps).

The above are the common mechanical equipment that can be found in most of the projects, but it doesn’t mean these are all the mechanical equipment.

Now, we will talk about the most common electrical systems& connected to the BMS system, which you can find in most of the projects like:

2.01: Ring Main Unit or (RMU).

(Free videos) Ring Main Unit ” RMU ” – Explanation for Its Components Practically On-Site

2.02: Transformers.

2.03: Panels, like Main distribution boards, Sub main distribution boards, ATS panels, Synchronization panels, and final distribution boards, regardless of whether these panels are connected to the normal or the emergency power.

2.04: Generators.

2.05: Uninterruptible power supply or (UPS).

The above are the most common electrical equipment that can be found in most of projects.

Now, we will talk about the last category of the MEP systems connected to the B.M.S which is the Low current systems like:

3.01: Data System: This is the system or the network responsible for the communication between all devices in the project.

3.02: Lighting control system: This system we use to control the operation of the lighting fixtures, including their number, working time, and location.

3.03: Fire alarm system.

3.04: Access Control System or (ACS).

3.05: Closed Circuit Television System or (CCTV).

There are other low current systems that you can find in your project, like Master Clock System, Master Antenna Television,…and so on.

But I mentioned only the most common systems which can be found in any project and can be integrated with the B.M.S system.

So, after this fast overview of these MEP systems, let us say that our project is a hotel where all the previous MEP systems will be installed.

So, for example, if there’s a problem with the air conditioning system at the reception area for guests.

There are 2 scenarios to solve this problem by the maintenance team.

In the first scenario, your project doesn’t have a B.M.S system installed in this project.

So, to solve this problem, the maintenance team will run everywhere to check the HVAC as-built drawings to know if any AHU feeds this reception area.

After that, they will run to this AHU and investigate the problem’s cause.

The problem can be caused by the fan, cooling valve, filter, or dampers installed on the supply or return, and this process of checking may take too long to solve.

In the second scenario, if you have a system that can monitor and control all the different MEP systems in your building from a central room.


This central room is called the workstation room, and this system is the Building management system or BMS.

The most benefit you will get from this system is the monitoring and controlling of all your MEP systems in the project.

This leads to fast preventive and corrective actions taken by the maintenance team, plus the high saving of money due to the enormous power saving.

(Free Video) Importance of the B.M.S System and Types of the MEP Systems

To know more about the benefits of the B.M.S system and its components, I recommend you to register for this online course, which is rated No.1 & the bestseller online course for learning the BMS system.

If you want to know more, please check this link: No.1 B.M.S Course, Your Best Guide to level-up Your Career

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