Building management
system design.
BMS design in Georgia often gets left to the end of a project, and that is where it goes wrong: each package arrives with its own controller, nothing talks to anything else, and the building is run by hand. A building management system is only as good as the decisions made at design stage about what is monitored, what is controlled and how the systems communicate.
MEP Trade designs building management systems as part of the engineering, not after it — defining control strategies, points and protocols alongside the HVAC, electrical and plumbing design, so the BMS can be tendered, installed and commissioned against a clear specification.
What a BMS design package includes:
- System architecture — — field, automation and management levels, controller locations, network topology and server or cloud front end;
- Control strategies — — sequences of operation for chillers, boilers, air-handling units, ventilation, pumps and lighting;
- Points lists — — every input, output and integrated point by system and location, as the basis for tender and commissioning;
- Third-party integration — — BACnet, Modbus and KNX interfaces to chillers, VRF, generators, lifts, fire alarm and access control;
- Energy metering and analytics — — electricity, heat and water meters, sub-metering by tenant or zone, trend logging and reporting;
- Alarms and dashboards — — alarm priorities, operator graphics and access levels for facility staff;
- Documentation — — system schematics, panel schedules, cable routing, specifications and bills of quantities.
Our BMS work spans hotels (Hilton Batumi, Radisson, Paragraph Shekvetili), Tbilisi Mall, City Mall Gldani, hospitals and office buildings — see the projects. The BMS is designed in the same BIM model as HVAC, electrical and low-voltage systems, so controllers, panels and network routes have space reserved before construction starts.
Frequently asked
questions.
How much does BMS design cost in Georgia?
The fee depends on the number of systems to be controlled or monitored, the total points count, how many third-party systems need integration, and the depth of energy metering required. A residential building with basic plant monitoring is much simpler than a hotel or hospital with full HVAC control and tenant sub-metering. We quote after reviewing the MEP scope and the client's operating requirements.
How long does it take to design a building management system?
For a mid-size building BMS design typically takes a few weeks, depending on the project size and how far the HVAC and electrical design has progressed. Points lists and sequences depend on the selected equipment, so the BMS is finalised once the main MEP systems are settled.
Does the BMS design cover the permit-stage package for the building permit?
The BMS is usually not a separate permit requirement, but we describe it in the permit-stage MEP documentation where its functions affect the approved design, such as smoke control interfaces with the fire alarm. The full BMS design is then developed at detailed and tender stage. We work to Georgian technical regulations and international practice such as EN ISO 16484 and EN ISO 52120.
What does the client need to provide for BMS design?
The architectural plans, the MEP design or at least the main equipment selections, and a clear brief on how the building will be operated: who runs it, which systems should be controlled centrally, and what energy reporting is expected. If an existing BMS or a preferred vendor is in place, we need its details for integration.
Which protocols do you use for BMS integration?
We specify open protocols wherever possible: BACnet for building automation, Modbus for meters and plant equipment, and KNX for room and lighting control. Open protocols keep the client independent of a single vendor and make future extensions and maintenance easier.
Can I order only the BMS design, without the other disciplines?
Yes. BMS design can be ordered on its own, including for buildings where the HVAC and electrical design was done by others. In that case we review their drawings and equipment data and build the points list and control strategies around them.