What is a building management system?

A building management system (BMS) is an automated control system that monitors and manages a building’s mechanical, electrical, and safety systems. These include ventilation, lighting, energy usage, fire safety, and security. By integrating various sensors and devices, a BMS optimizes building operations, ensuring comfort, energy efficiency, and operational oversight.

With a building management system, you automatically control indoor climate parameters such as CO₂ concentration, humidity and air pressure in your building. This can be done using sensors that automatically connect to your BMS. These include wall-mounted temperature and humidity sensors, submersible temperature sensors or duct sensors for CO2. It is also possible to connect motion sensors to your BMS.

How does a building management system work?

A building management system functions as the central hub for monitoring and controlling a building's various systems. It collects data from sensors placed throughout the building, such as temperature, humidity, CO₂ levels, and motion detectors. This data is then processed by the BMS to make automated adjustments, such as regulating heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems or controlling lighting and security. By integrating these processes, a BMS ensures that the building operates efficiently, responds dynamically to changes in usage or climate, and provides real-time insights to building managers through user-friendly dashboards and mobile apps.

Advantages of a smart building management system

A well configured and intelligent building management system is essential for any modern building. The advantages of a smart building information system can be categorized in four pillars: costs, comfort, control and maintenance, and environment.

1. Cost savings in your building

Are you considering replacing the BMS in your current building, or do you have real estate under construction? If so, investing in a modern BMS would be a wise idea. A Priva BMS could save you up to 40% on energy compared to your current BMS.

2. Optimal comfort for building users

Did you know that people perform best at a temperature of about 21 degree Celsius and relative humidity of between 40% and 60%? You can achieve a comfortable and pleasant indoor climate for building users with a modern BMS system with zone control.

3. Always in control of your building

A good BMS means you are in control of your building 24/7. Because Priva Building Operator and Priva Digital Services work entirely in the cloud, you can manage your building from your computer, tablet or smartphone. This allows you to have an overview of your building performance at all times. It is also possible to receive push notifications and text messages with important updates.

4. A smart and sustainable building

Our experience has shown that it is especially older BMSs that often lack in optimal performance. The maintenance to these systems are therefore complicated and relatively expensive as a result. With a BMS from Priva, you avoid high costs from wear and tear. Because our systems are ‘smart’, based on the latest technology, they only work where and when necessary. Your installation doesn’t have to stay switched on at all times if this is not necessary.

5. Enhance safety and security

A modern BMS integrates safety systems like fire suppression, access control, and surveillance. Automated alerts and real-time monitoring ensure your building remains secure and compliant with safety standards, protecting both occupants and assets.

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Innovations in building management systems

The world of building management is changing and smart buildings are becoming increasingly important. A modern building management system is an important part of that. In a smart building, you not only create a comfortable indoor climate, but building users can also easily find a parking space, flexible workspace, meeting room or their colleagues.

With Priva bGrid you have one system incorporating all the functionalities for an optimal working environment. With a BMS from Priva, you are already taking an important step towards the future.

Examples of innovations in BMSs include:

1. Digital twins

A digital twin is a fictional simulation of how the building would operate in actuality. The aim is to make predictions about the required values of the system and what equipment is needed to ensure the system operates as efficiently as possible.

2. Building energy management system (BEMS)

As soon as you decide to merge your BMS and energy registration and monitoring system, you actually have a Building Energy Management System (BEMS). This is an automated system with fully computer-operated control based on artificial intelligence (AI), without human intervention.

3. Predictive maintenance with AI

With advanced data analytics, machine learning and AI, modern BMS solutions can predict potential equipment failures before they happen. This reduces downtime, lowers maintenance costs, and ensures your building operates seamlessly.

Integrating building management systems to cloud services

By using an integrated building management system, that is linked to cloud services via building automation, you, the building manager, are able to monitor the important parameters of a building at all times. Because the BMS is fully automated (effectively a building automation system), it automatically responds to climatological changes inside and outside the building and adjusts the important systems of the building accordingly. This could include sun awnings that automatically descend as soon as the sun is shining on the building, or heating that automatically switches on, off or adjusts when required. With this automation, you simultaneously improve your BMS’s energy performance.

Building management systems and BACS requirements (under the EPBD)

In the UK, the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) has brought increased focus on the role of Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) in improving energy efficiency. The EPBD requires buildings with a heating or cooling capacity of over 290 kW to install BACS to optimise energy performance. These systems must provide functionalities such as continuous monitoring, fault detection, and automated control to ensure that energy usage is efficient and aligns with performance goals. BACS also play a critical role in facilitating compliance with Building Regulations Part L, which emphasizes reducing carbon emissions in both new and existing buildings.

For building managers, integrating advanced BACS into their infrastructure not only meets these legislative requirements but also provides real-time data and insights to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and support the UK’s transition toward Net Zero carbon emissions. These regulations, combined with the UK’s Net Zero Strategy and environmental commitments, underscore the importance of adopting advanced, compliant BMS solutions to meet both legal and operational requirements.

Priva's building management system solutions

Priva supplies all the hardware and software (such as Blue ID C or Blue ID S, for instance) needed to set up or update your building information system. We also supply the sensors that collect and feed back the data for your building management system. Whichever system you choose, all of PRIVA’s building management solutions run on the BACnet protocol. BACnet was specially designed to facilitate the communication in building management and regulation applications. BACnet describes how devices exchange information with each other and it manages the building management system software, regulators, sensors and actuators so that they communicate with each other.

In hotels, a BMS ensures guest comfort by automating room temperature, lighting, and ventilation. It also optimizes energy efficiency by monitoring occupancy and streamlining operations like security and fire safety. Read more about building management systems for hotels >

Hospitals rely on BMS for precise climate control, ensuring patient comfort and staff productivity. A BMS also integrates systems for ventilation, air filtration, and backup power to maintain critical care environments. Read more about building management systems in health care >

A BMS automates HVAC operations by monitoring temperature, humidity, and CO₂ levels. It adjusts heating, cooling, and ventilation in real-time to maintain comfort while minimising energy use. Read more about HVAC systems >

Designing a BMS involves assessing a building's needs, selecting compatible sensors and controllers, integrating systems like HVAC, lighting, and security, and setting up automated control protocols for optimal performance.

AI-powered BMS solutions use advanced algorithms to analyse data, predict equipment failures, and optimize building operations automatically. This leads to greater energy efficiency and reduced maintenance costs.

A BMS focuses on monitoring and controlling a building's technical systems (e.g., HVAC, lighting), while a facility management system oversees broader operational tasks, such as asset management, scheduling, and maintenance tracking.

A BMS manages multiple building systems, while an energy management system (EMS) specifically focuses on monitoring and reducing energy consumption. EMS can be integrated into a BMS for holistic management.

A BMS controller is a hardware device that processes data from sensors and executes commands to control systems like HVAC, lighting, and security within the building. View our BMS controllers >

Building management software is the interface used to monitor and control a BMS. It provides real-time data, analytics, and remote-control capabilities via dashboards on computers or mobile devices. View our building management software solutions >

Yes, specialised training programs are available to teach building operators how to manage, troubleshoot, and optimise BMS operations effectively.

Installing a BMS involves selecting and integrating sensors, controllers, and actuators; setting up a network for data communication; configuring software for automation; and testing the system for seamless operation. Find your partner for installing a BMS system >

Operating a BMS requires using the building management software to monitor data, adjust settings, schedule maintenance, and analyse system performance for continuous improvement.

BMS control panels house the equipment that interfaces with sensors and controllers. They are the centralised units where signals are processed, enabling the automation of building systems. View our BMS control panels >