Building Envelope: The Key to Climate Control - Essay Sample

Introduction

The term "building envelope" denotes a structural barrier that encompasses the interior and the exterior parts of a building. This structure is responsible for the maintenance and proper control of the climate within the building. In modern building designs, the term climate control of a building is used to refer to the heating and cooling of a building (Wang, 2009). This is an essential factor to consider when creating building conceptions because it ensures that the climate within the building remains habitable even when the outside climate changes and is unreliable.

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The control of climate within the buildings is an essential component especially with regard to the elderly population who can hardly inhabit congested spaces and those that lack proper air conditioning. The building envelope also keeps the interior of the building free from noise, moisture, sound, and unwanted light (Wang, 2009). This is an essential element because it provides a comfortable environment for the people inside. The structure of the building envelopes includes the roof, walls, foundation, doors, and windows.

Basic Components

Common materials are normally applied in the creation of the building envelopes. They contribute to this structure by having long-lasting, light-filtering, sound blocking and water-repellant characteristics. Common roofing materials include rubber, slate, and clay, metal, wood, and composite. Some of the materials used to make the walls include vinyl, wood, composite, and asphalt. The foundation of the building envelopes normally contains bricks, stone, and concrete (Wang, 2009). The building envelope materials and the designs are all influenced by the climate of the environment in which the building is found. Colder climates call for tougher materials to keep the building warm whereas colder climates are the exact opposite.

Many modern houses have some kinds of waterproofing done to the interior floor space or the outdoor deck. Many people are only familiar with the above-grade systems and never know the existence or the benefits of the below-grade systems. Below grade systems are used or labs-on-grade or on foundation walls (Wang, 2009). They can be placed on planters and even green roofs in public buildings.

Upon application of the below-grade systems, French drainages are installed to complete the outfit. The basic function of a wall system is the protection of the covering or the otherwise conditioned state of the interiors (Wang, 2009). Considering this outfit in the overall design of the building has also become fundamental given the increase in the threat of terrorism around the world. Therefore, designers must create forms with the current state of world affairs in mind.

The building envelopes normally comprise of material that forms the foundation, wall assembly, various penetrations, and doors, glazing and roofing systems. The connection, as well as the level of compatibility of these systems, is normally customized to ensure that the building functions as intended (Wang, 2009). The foundation outlines the basic structural component transmitting the loads from the underlying substrate to the building. This typically comprises footings, slabs, and concrete walls.

The foundation ought to be designed to transfer thermal energy and moisture to the interior space. The space between the interior and the exterior space can be insulated to provide control of the thermal energy through the foundation. The roofing system is an essential component of any house because it keeps the climate in the room controlled and different from the external environment. The attic area inside many houses can be insulated using fiber spray insulation.

Benefits of Building Envelopes in BAS

The cost of putting up buildings continues to rise through the years and therefore the codes of the building have also become more rigorous. Professionals in the building and construction industry are constantly searching for the best performing building envelopes. Various components of these building elements can help to bring down the cost of energy consumption by up to 60 percent (Abravesh et al., 2019).

An example of such a system is the structural insulated panel. Not only does it significantly reduce the cost of energy consumption but it also enhances performance and the level of comfort within the buildings. Structural Insulated Panels are normal forms of prefabricated engineering materials used on roofs and walls to bring comfort to the home.

Apart from the fact that structural Insulated panels assist in design implementation and cuts down on the cost of production, it also assists in reducing the amount of time taken to accomplish building finishes (Wang, 2009). The walls can be installed fast and over a reduced time frame and this helps in saving time as well as safeguarding the high-quality standards for the building.

Since the panels are normally delivered to the site of construction ready to install, they reduce the amount of waste generated by performing on-site trimming of wall frames. Additionally, the walls go up faster since they can be installed over large sections of the wall (Abravesh et al., 2019). The frames are highly durable since they are non-sticking and dust resistant. When new buildings are constructed with the future in mind, it helps to safeguard the future posterity for future generations.

The issue of the consumption of energy within buildings is multidimensional and complex in nature because it is a cross-section of user demands and preferences, indoor environmental conditions, and building envelop performance (Aparicio-Ruiza et al., 2018). Therefore, in coming up with the best construction solutions not only are the architects of such buildings supposed to think about the cost of the construction but also the comfort of the resultant creation. Implementation of high-performance buildings is crucial to fulfilling universal climate and energy standards and regulations (Aparicio-Ruiza et al., 2018). Part of the solution lies in the proper implementation of high performing building structures. Moreover, organizations and building contractors need to establish creative and durable designs with the future in mind.

Security and Safety in Building Automation Systems

Regular Maintenance Ensures the Functionality

In the building of safety and security management, the stress has moved to the preemption of safety and security measures, for instance, the protection from structural fires. Proper identification of the risks makes it better to identify and protect against them (Aparicio-Ruiza et al., 2018). Properly functioning systems and versatile services contribute to the high levels of safety and security. The provision of security and safety services is aimed at ensuring excellent overall security as well as the management of safety.

A building has a life within which the owner is expected to make certain deliberate decisions with the sole aim of maintaining and improving the general outlook of the infrastructure to preserve its functionality. The levels of functionality for energy information systems vary even though the process of an energy information system functions to offer information such as equipment, on and offload cycles, equipment, frequency and usage of equipment.

This kind of information is essential for the way it reflects the general trajectory of the use of information. Energy information systems based on cloud technology are the most efficient and cost-effective. The hardware for the establishment of the energy information system is cheaper and vendors, therefore, offer service contractors as their models of doing business.

Security and Safety Overview

Buildings require care and constant maintenance to help them realize their full potential lifespans. Without proper maintenance, even the most robust architectural outfit can deteriorate in a short time. Buildings that have been well maintained, preserved and maintained can be expected to reach their full potential lifespans regardless of the weather and the climatic conditions within which they have to exist. The care for architectural structure is not only for the visual aesthetic and the functionality of the building but is also for the sake of preserving and enhancing durability in the long run.

Challenges to Security and Safety in BAS

Various challenges are presented with the implementation of BAS systems in new buildings. Not only do they face the threat of systematic failure in functionality, but they can also be a great barrier when it comes to user interface customization. Some of the challenges include the use of proper technological innovation to ensure compatibility with the particular building technology. This problem can be cured by carrying out enough research to ensure that every innovation accompanies the right building and hence fits into the specific space. Proper research must be conducted in every case to ensure that they meet the requirements.

References

Abravesh, M., Bueno, B., Heidari, S., & Kuh, T. (2019). A method to evaluate glare risk from operable fenestration systems throughout a year. Building and Environment, 160(1), 106213. doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2019.106213

Aparicio-Ruiza, P., Barbadilla-Martina, E., Manuel, J., Jose, S.-L., & Martina, G. (2018). Building automation system with adaptive comfort in mixed mode buildings. Sustainable Cities and Society, 43(1), 77-85. doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2018.07.028

Wang, S. (2009). Intelligent Buildings and Building Automation. New York : Taylor & Francis.