Smart Building Glossary

A computer-based control system installed in buildings that monitors and manages mechanical and electrical equipment such as ventilation, lighting, power systems, fire systems, and security systems.

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning - the technology of indoor environmental comfort that provides thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality.

A virtual representation of a physical building that uses real-time data from sensors and other sources to mirror the building's actual state and behavior.

A network of physical devices, sensors, and other items embedded with electronics, software, and connectivity that enables data collection and exchange.

Long Range Wide Area Network - a low-power, wide-area networking protocol designed to wirelessly connect battery-operated sensors and devices over long distances.

Building Automation and Control Networks - a communication protocol for building automation and control systems that allows interoperability between different manufacturers' equipment.

A serial communication protocol used for connecting electronic devices, commonly used in building automation for communication between controllers and sensors.

A device that detects the presence of people in a space and can trigger automated responses such as lighting control or HVAC adjustments.

A system of computer-aided tools used to monitor, control, and optimize the performance of building energy consumption.

Maintenance strategy that uses data analysis and machine learning to predict when equipment will fail, allowing maintenance to be performed just in time.

Computerized Maintenance Management System - software that centralizes maintenance information and facilitates the processes of maintenance operations.

A device used to regulate and circulate air as part of an HVAC system, typically containing heating/cooling elements, filters, and fans.

A type of HVAC system that varies the airflow at a constant temperature to meet the thermal load of a space.

A digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility, serving as a shared knowledge resource for building information.

Processing data near the source of data generation rather than in a centralized cloud, reducing latency and bandwidth usage in building systems.

A set of protocols and tools for building software applications that enable different systems and platforms to communicate with each other.

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition - a system for remote monitoring and control of building equipment and processes.

The air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants.

An electronic device that records consumption of energy in intervals and communicates that information for monitoring and billing purposes.

Changes in electric usage by end-use customers from their normal consumption patterns in response to changes in the price of electricity over time.

Automated processes that identify and diagnose faults in building systems to improve operational efficiency and reduce energy waste.

A building that produces as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year through renewable energy sources and energy-efficient design.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - a widely used green building rating system that provides a framework for healthy, efficient, and cost-saving green buildings.

The measurement and analysis of how effectively physical spaces within a building are being used, often tracked through sensors and analytics.