Avaya is an American multinational technology company that provides cloud communications and workstream collaboration services. At its Avaya Ireland location, the company occupies an 85,000ft² facility located at Mervue Business Park in Galway.
EPA Ltd: tasked with the upgrade
EPA Ltd was appointed by engineering contractor Kirby Group to supply, install and commission a modern BMS to replace a legacy control system. Avaya required a system that would improve plant reliability as well as deliver energy efficiencies.
“The BMS in place had come to the end of its life and no longer met the needs of the building,” comments Gerry Moran, Director at EPA Ltd. “Our aim was to upgrade the legacy BMS hardware and software with a modern IP based and open system that would meet the needs of Avaya now and in the future. It was imperative that it could interface with existing and future plant equipment whilst continuing to optimise energy efficiency.”
Seamless integration and energy optimisation
Energy efficiency was at the centre of the needs for the client and EPA needed to consider the on-going energy control strategy and reporting as well as the ability to provide remote support following installation to ensure the continued optimal performance of the plant.
“This work also needed to be completed seamlessly in an occupied building with the minimal disruption to the client,” adds Gerry. “We had seen the Distech Controls products at a trade show and had been undertaking maintenance work featuring its solutions, so we were aware of the benefits. When the client said they were open to suggestions for the system, we thought Distech Controls was the perfect solution to meet their needs.”
EPA Ltd selected Eclypse ECY-S1000 Connected Controllers and ECL-PTU-207 FCU controllers along with the EC-Net Facilities (previously EC-Net 4) Supervisor software.
The Eclypse Connected System Controller is a modular and scalable platform that is used to control a wide range of HVAC applications. The ECY-S100 Connected System Controller is ideal for medium to large sized AHU and plant applications and small building server/controller applications supporting up 20 ECY I/O extension modules.
A number of the FCU controllers were inaccessible on this project but due to the interoperability of the Distech Controls products, the ECL-PTU controllers were able to be integrated with the existing LON FCU controller network.
The EC-Net Supervisor is a software platform used in server-class applications. It makes managing all buildings at an enterprise level possible, giving facilities managers the ability to quickly respond to problems and insights to optimize their system. The EC-Net Supervisor allows multiple Niagara-based EC-BOS series controllers, as well as other IP-based devices such as the Eclypse Connected IP and Wi-Fi products series, to be networked together.
Project success: minimal disruption and maximized efficiency
Commenting on the project Mr Gerard King, maintenance supervisor at Kirby Group adds, “Thank you for the great job on the BMS upgrade. There was little or no disruption to the site, all control panels were finished out neatly and the work areas were kept tidy. We look forward to utilising the features of the Distech Controls BMS to implement continued energy efficiency initiatives.”