A Matrix Tool for Assessing the Performance of Intelligent Buildings

1. Introduction

The matrix tool concerns five major performance indicators, namely the performance of the Built Environment, the Responsiveness, the Functionality, the Economic issues and the Suitability. The building features that influence these performance indicators are People, Systems, Critical devices such as hazard protection, Process of building management, and Design practice. These performance indicators and building features are considered to be most important in intelligent buildings.

2. Scope of the assessment - Matrix tool

These performance indicators are influenced by a number of factors. This Matrix Tool only consider the five factors, as follows:

Five performance indicators are specified and used and these performance indicators are influenced by a number of factors:

People
Systems
Critical
Process
Design

Built Environment

Do they feel comfort and are they productive in the building?
Does the system provide facilities for individuals to change the set-point of local devices according to their desire?
What measures are there to ensure the safety and health of people staying in and around the building?
The process of adapting energy management policies within the organisations?
Design considerations and decisions on the integration of the building and its systems with the surroundings?

Responsiveness

How well do they understand their relationship with the building?
Are the building and its systems well integrated with the surroundings?
Facilities equipped to handle emergencies?
The technical competence of the building operators in dealing with any relevant change
Design considerations and decisions on possible change of partitions, layout and services systems required by the change of usage?

Functionality

Do they have a role in the energy management?
Is the building controlled and managed by a Building Management System (BMS)?
Maintenance and services of the facilities equipped to handle emergencies?
The technical competence of the facility managers?
The use, operation and maintenance of building systems?

Economic issues

Investment decision-makers: do they understand the benefit of intelligent building technologies and are they willing to investigate the feasibility of relevant investment?
Is it technically feasible to change the suppliers of utilities when considered beneficial?
Treatment of the waste and use of renewable energy sources?
Facilities for individual tenants to control and meter their utilities?
Decision on the initial and lifecycle costs?

Suitability

People with special needs (such as the disabled and elderly): can the building satisfy their special needs?
Does the building have good access to the internet?
The factors associated with the location of the building that affect the performance of the building under emergencies?
Organisational regime of dealing with energy related issues?
Urban and building internal planning?

Evaluation is performed using the toolkit.