Early evaluation of a second generation information monitoring and diagnostic system

This report discusses a second-generation Information Monitoring and Diagnostic System (IMDS) installed at a leased office building in Sacramento, California. The report begins with a brief summary of the IMDS research at the previous building, followed by a discussion of the building selection process, the IMDS design and installation, recent use of the IMDS, costs and benefits, and fault detection and diagnostic research using the IMDS. A web site describes the IMDS in detail (see imds.lbl.gov).

This project is concerned with evaluating what an acceptable level of sensors, and data collection and visualization systems are needed to efficiently operate commercial office buildings. While sensors and monitoring systems are available with a broad spectrum of capabilities at varying costs, good engineering seeks efficiencies in determining optimal costs for procuring, installing, and use of such products. The IMDS used in this project incorporates standard components that are widely available. The operators at the building installed the IMDS with technical assistance from the research team. The purpose of having the operators install it was to bring to their attention the nuances and composition of the technology that full service engineering, installation, and set up often by outside vendors often obscure. The project is concerned with working with the building operations staff to determine the best products and installation techniques for a continuous monitoring system. To do this they must understand, as fully as possible, the underlying technology used in the monitoring system.