Security can play a vital role in keeping buildings green and sustainable. In particular, the integration between security and building management systems can greatly contribute to building sustainability. This article takes a closer look at how.
Globally, green buildings have become a growing trend. Green buildings aim to use resources efficiently while reducing waste, pollution and energy consumption. In this regard, integrating security with the building management system (BMS) can help make that possible.
“Modern security systems are often integrated into the building management systems that coordinate lighting, HVAC, and access control. The access control system can help to optimize energy use, for example, powering down unused areas when no one is present,” said James Clark, Director of Sales for EMEA and APAC at AMAG Technology.
“Just camera solutions alone can acquire crowd density, temperature, audio signatures, object classifications and activity classifications. With native AI and analytics of more advanced security systems, traditional BMS just have to receive instructions or status data to activate the various lighting/HVAC scenarios,” said Patrick Lim, Group Strategy Director at Ademco Security Group. “The game changer is dual use of these security sensors and adding some IOT sensors to upgrade to a smarter and more proactive building, rather than depending on static settings or reactive sensors.”
Contributing to building sustainability
There are three key ways in which security-BMS integration can contribute to building sustainability. These are summarized as follows.
Occupancy-based lighting and HVAC
Access control can generate valuable, detailed building occupancy data that can be shared with the BMS, which can then tell lighting, HVAC and other subsystems to act accordingly. “The access control system can help to optimize energy use, for example, powering down unused areas when no one is present. Smart sensors can also automatically adjust lighting and climate control based on room usage,” Clark said.
Optimizing space utilization
Optimizing space usage can also contribute positively to building sustainability, and security-BMS integration can play a key role in that. “By integrating security data into the BMS system, owners can optimize room scheduling, redesign office layouts and support hybrid work strategies by ensuring the right amount of workspace is available when needed,” Clark said.
Leak and equipment failure detection
Finally, when water leaks, gas leaks or equipment failure are detected by security sensors, the building management system can act accordingly by sending alerts or shutting off the equipment in question. “Modern security systems can help detect leaks and equipment failures through smart sensors, integrated data monitoring, video analytics and automated alarms based on certain conditions. This can turn traditional security networks into early warning systems that protect people and the planet,” Clark said.
Meanwhile, Edison Chen, Service Head of Smart Buildings, Smart Infrastructure at Siemens Taiwan, illustrates the benefits of building-BMS integration with their own examples.
“With Siveillance Security System integration with Desigo CC Building Management Platform, when personnel access office spaces using card readers, infrared sensors trigger the activation of HVAC and lighting systems. When people leave, the system automatically shuts down HVAC and lighting to save energy,” he said. “Our Building X Security Manager Cloud Platform enables users to access controlled areas using mobile devices, reducing the need for physical ID card production and waste.
He adds: “Through these integrated solutions, Siemens demonstrates how modern security systems can contribute to both building security and sustainability goals while providing valuable operational insights.”
Installation tips
It should also be noted that security systems can contribute to building sustainability through proper setup and installation.
“Start by designing for efficiency end to end. A streamlined PoE layout with efficient switches – set per-port power limits, use a centralized UPS, and enable Energy-Efficient Ethernet – lets you power cameras, readers, and controllers without waste. On the video side, choose low-power cameras with edge analytics and record what matters,” Clark said. “Be thoughtful about what you buy. Favor hardware with Environmental Product Declarations and modular, repairable designs. You’ll cut embodied carbon, extend service life, and reduce truck rolls, delivering a more sustainable, cost-effective security operation without compromising performance.”
It’s also advised that the cloud or hybrid architecture be used so as to cut down on the number of on-site equipment. “In large facilities, there can be up to 10 or more enterprise grade application and storage servers; these servers consume a lot of energy (easily 7,000 to 15,000 kWh annually), and by putting all or part of the servers in the cloud the energy consumption is not just transferred out but handled by way of more efficiently-run clusters of utility computing,” Lim said.