Enhancing safety and efficiency in higher-risk buildings with AI

Kunal Chaudhari, the Consulting Engineer and Director of Udayan Chaudhari & Associates, provided valuable insights into their long-established MEP consultancy organisation. With nearly 35 years of experience, it delivered various HVAC assignments. Their portfolio includes diverse projects such as hotels, malls, universities, IT parks, offices, and data centres.

How do you evaluate energy efficiency for HVAC systems designed and implemented in buildings?
HVAC systems are responsible for approximately 50 to 60 percent of a building’s energy consumption. The energy performance of a building, including the HVAC system, is assessed using Energy Simulation, which provides an Energy Performance Index (EPI) in terms of ‘KWH/SqM/Annum.’ This value serves as a benchmark for the building’s energy consumption. After the building is operational, its energy meter data is recorded and integrated into the Integrated Building Management System (IBMS). This comparison between the design and actual energy consumption allows for a detailed analysis of the building’s performance. This exercise provides a ‘design vs implemented’ comparative. 

How do the equipment monitoring sensors help conserve energy in commercial and residential spaces?
Sensors and controls are crucial in HVAC systems, particularly in achieving comfortable indoor conditions. Temperature and relative humidity (RH) sensors are commonly installed in HVAC systems. The basic principle of these sensors is to adjust the system’s operation based on the desired set point. Once the desired temperature or humidity level is reached, the system can vary its load or shut off completely. This approach serves two important purposes: preventing excessive cooling or heating of the space and conserving energy by optimising system operation.

Designing buildings involves considering both internal and external factors. Internal factors encompass the building’s purpose, occupancy, lighting load, and heat-generating equipment. On the other hand, external factors are related to the geographic and spatial aspects of the building location, such as the city’s weather conditions, latitude, altitude, building orientation (north), and the thermal performance of its facade.

How will implementing AI and building control systems help higher-risk building and safety?
IBMS has become a mandatory component for central HVAC systems, offering centralised monitoring and control by integrating various systems. It acts as a facilitator for seamless communication among these systems. In high-risk buildings like bio-safety labs, customised alarms can be programmed in the IBMS to ensure the HVAC systems maintain a safe environment and prevent cross-contamination. 

The introduction of AI in building controls eliminates the need for manual operation by an IBMS operator, reducing the potential for human errors and inefficiencies. Additionally, AI can incorporate design logic to optimise energy and water consumption, aligning system operation with the intended design goals.

We are witnessing the early stages of the AI era, where IoT platforms are increasingly integrating building controls. The future holds promising advancements in IoT-enabled control systems for buildings powered and operated by AI, presenting a futuristic outlook for the industry.

How does integrating AI in MEP design solutions help effectively convey engineering principles to end-users and ensure optimal system efficiency?
Ensuring that AI-integrated solutions comprehend the design philosophy – is of utmost importance. MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) Design Professionals face a significant challenge in effectively conveying the engineering principles of the designed system to end-users. AI serves as a bridge to overcome this challenge, enabling our designs to operate as intended and achieve optimal efficiency for the systems. By leveraging AI, we can ensure that the designed systems align with the original engineering principles, maximising their performance.