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Smart Building Glossary

Your comprehensive guide to smart building, IoT, and building automation terminology. Learn the key concepts that power modern intelligent buildings.


BMS (Building Management System)

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.

Connectivity

Systems

Environment

Technology

Equipment

Sensors

Operations

Sustainability

Protocols

Systems

HVAC Digital Twin

HVAC

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



Systems

Technology



IoT (Internet of Things)

Technology

Digital Twin

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.



Technology

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



LoRaWAN

Connectivity



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.

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

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

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.

Energy Management System (EMS) Predictive Maintenance

Energy Management System (EMS)

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



Systems

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



Operations

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

Predictive Maintenance

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



Equipment

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



Systems

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



VAV System Edge Computing

VAV System

A system that adjusts airflow at a constant temperature to manage a space's thermal load.



VAV Equipment

A type of HVAC system varying airflow at a constant temperature, adapting to thermal needs.



BIM Technology

A digital model of a facility, serving as a resource for building data.

Edge Computing

Process data near its source, not in a cloud, cutting latency and bandwidth in systems.



API Interface

Processing data locally, reducing latency & bandwidth use in building systems.



API Technology

A set of tools for building apps, enabling systems to interact seamlessly.



SCADA Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

SCADA

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



Systems

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



Smart Meter

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

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

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



Environment

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



Demand Response

Equipment



Fault Detection Net Zero Building

Fault Detection

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



Space Utilization

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



LEED Certification

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.

Net Zero Building

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



Operations

Operations



Sustainability

Sustainability



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