In every Building Management System (BMS), there are several ways that the system can be controlled. The three most common control modes are automatic, manual, and semi-automatic. Each one of these has its own advantages and disadvantages that should be considered before implementing a BMS in a building.
Automatic Control Mode: In an automatic control mode, the system is entirely self-sufficient and requires no input from building occupants or staff. The advantage of this is that it ensures consistent performance of the BMS and eliminates the possibility of human error. However, the downside is that if something does go wrong with the system, there may be no way to intervene and fix the problem.
Manual Control Mode: A manual control mode requires input from building occupants or staff in order to function properly. This gives users more control over the system, but also opens up the possibility for human error. It is important to have procedures in place to ensure that manual input is accurate in order to avoid problems with the BMS.
Semi-Automatic Control Mode: A semi-automatic control mode is a mix between the two previous modes. In this mode, some aspects of the BMS are automated while others require manual input. This can provide the best of both worlds by giving users more control while still providing some consistency and minimizing human error.
