Andal Building Technologies achieved control over an 80-room accommodation facility near Cadiz – improving operational efficiency and reducing energy and water consumption. Their BMS solution is powered by FIN Framework.

 

ANDAL BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES

Industry: Hospitality 
HQ: Rota, Spain
Technology: Onward – IoT powered by FIN Framework 
Published: June 2024

The need for a comprehensive BMS for a complex hotel facility

A new build accommodation facility required a single control system capable of managing all installed equipment to achieve high levels of efficiency and comfort.

 

Andal Building Technologies was appointed to enhance the energy and operational efficiency of the NL hotel buildings in Rota near Cadiz, Spain. This large and complex hotel consists of four floors and 80 rooms spread across three wings, in addition to various common areas such as outdoor recreation areas and sports spaces.

 

Andal is an international business based in Spain that specializes in consulting, engineering and technological solutions for energy management, smart buildings and technology (IoT, cybersecurity). They are a Master System Integrator and offer customized solutions that help reduce costs and enhance user experience in buildings. They specified FIN Framework as the central solution for their BMS based on its ability to address the varied needs of the hotel.

At Andal Building Technologies we are building a future where technology connects people with safer, more efficient, and sustainable environments. FIN Framework helps us achieve comprehensive control over energy and water usage, and to improve operational efficiency while ensuring guest comfort at all times.

Francisco José España Márquez
CEO, Andal Building Technologies

The user case for FIN Framework

Andal handled the design process, equipment selection, installation, and integration of the Building Management System (BMS), selecting to build out the BMS on FIN Framework. Its modularity, flexibility, and customization capability made it suitable for managing a wide range of systems, from HVAC to lighting, and monitoring fire alarms.

 

The project schedule was meticulously planned – from the initial design phase to commissioning and staff training – to ensure a smooth implementation for the hotel's opening in August 2023.

 

FIN Framework became the backbone of the hotel's management solution, offering centralized control and real-time monitoring to ensure operational efficiency, data security, and guest comfort.

  • Operational efficiency and security: Internal hotel operations were optimized, ensuring that all systems functioned in a coordinated and efficient manner. The implementation of FIN Framework allowed for centralized control and monitoring of all equipment, facilitating early fault detection and implementation of preventive measures to ensure occupant safety.

  • Building resource management: The project maximized the use of available resources, minimizing waste and reducing long-term operating costs. FIN Framework enabled the implementation of intelligent lighting control strategies, HVAC systems, and other systems, maximizing natural light usage and automatically adjusting energy levels based on the hotel's needs.

  • Guest comfort: One of the project's fundamental pillars was to ensure the comfort and satisfaction of guests at all times. Every aspect of the hotel environment was designed and managed to provide an exceptional experience for visitors – from temperature and air quality to lighting and security.

Integrated systems powered by FIN Framework

 

The implementation of the project at the NL in Rota was comprehensive, covering a variety of systems and technologies to ensure efficient and centralized control through FIN Framework. The functionality and operational efficiency of the hotel was maximized through careful equipment selection and integration of multiple systems. Secure remote access was enabled through J2 Innovations’ Edge2Cloud application.

The project approach included the combination of key systems such as:

  • HVAC: Three air handling units are strategically installed in each wing of the hotel. These systems are complemented by variable air volume dampers designed to provide precise climate control in each room. The addition of fresh air supply fans in common areas helps maintain a healthy and comfortable indoor environment for guests and staff.

  • Lighting: Intelligent lighting management maximizes natural light usage, adjusting artificial lighting according to specific area needs and time of day. Lighting sensors and controllers are integrated to ensure optimal and energy-efficient lighting.

  • Fire alarms: Safety was a priority in the project implementation. A fully integrated fire alarm system was installed with FIN Framework, allowing for early detection and quick response in case of emergencies. This integration ensures effective coordination among all hotel security systems, providing peace of mind for both guests and staff.

  • Energy and water consumption: Intelligent management of systems has resulted in efficiency energy use and water consumption, reducing operating costs and environmental footprint.

Why FIN is integral to delivering the benefits of diverse technologies

Andal believes that the choice of FIN Framework as the central control platform was essential for the project's success. FIN’s ease of use and ability to support multiple protocols made it the ideal choice for managing the wide range of systems installed at the NL. The flexibility and modularity of FIN Framework allowed for seamless integration of all components, ensuring centralized and efficient control of all hotel operations.

  • Benefits for the hotel: The implementation of the BMS allows for intelligent management of systems, resulting in a notable improvement in the hotel's energy efficiency, reducing operating costs, and environmental footprint. FIN Framework's intuitive user interface provides hotel managers with a powerful tool to visualize and analyze operational data in real-time, enabling them to make informed decisions to optimize building performance and enhance guest experience. The full integration of all hotel systems in FIN Framework simplifies building operation and maintenance, increasing occupant safety and comfort, and reducing long-term maintenance costs. FIN Framework's ability to identify and respond to anomalies in real-time contributes to the prevention and early detection of errors or failures in hotel systems. Furthermore, the software's flexibility allows the hotel to easily adapt to changing needs, ensuring it can keep up with the latest technologies and management practices without the need for costly or disruptive changes to its infrastructure.

  • Benefits for other stakeholders and the industry: The ease of implementation and efficient equipment and system labeling simplify the project's installation and configuration process, reducing costs and commissioning times, and making the project accessible even to those with limited budgets or tight deadlines. Additionally, standardization of installation procedures and detailed system documentation facilitates staff training and ensures successful implementation. Clear and consistent labeling of components makes identification and maintenance in the future easier, contributing to efficiency and service quality in the building management industry.
The Navy Lodge

Outcomes

The implementation of FIN Framework has set a significant precedent in the field of smart buildings and facility management.

 

Francisco José España Márquez, CEO of Andal Building Technologies said: “By leveraging the flexibility and functionality of FIN Framework, the hotel has achieved improvements in operational efficiency, data security, and guest comfort, while reducing long-term operating costs. This project demonstrates the transformative potential of technological solutions in the hospitality industry, while highlighting the importance of continuous innovation and adaptation to changing market and user needs. With a solid foundation established, the hotel is now well positioned to continue leading the way toward a smarter and more sustainable future in building management.”

The results have been significant, demonstrating a positive impact on multiple aspects of the project:

  • Maintenance efficiency: The integration of all systems into a BMS with FIN Framework has simplified machine maintenance. The ability to automatically control parameters such as temperature and visualize machine information, such as breakdowns or dirty filters, has allowed for early problem detection and a quick response, reducing downtime and associated maintenance costs.

  • Data security: The building's data security has been significantly improved through integration with Edge2Cloud. This secure connection enables remote building management from anywhere in the world without the need for VPN, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of the hotel's data.

  • Simplified operation and maintenance: The full integration of all systems into a single BMS has simplified both building operation and maintenance. This offers more efficient resource management and a reduction in operating costs, while improving occupant safety and comfort.

Alongside new construction of the hotel facility, efficient resource management became an evident priority – to comprehensively optimize the management of the building and its facilities, which were of considerable size and complexity. FIN Framework was chosen because it is modular, flexible, and customizable across the range of technologies we specified.

Francisco José España Márquez

CEO, Andal Building Technologies

The NL Hotel

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Onward – IoT powered by FIN Framework
Onward – IoT powered by FIN Framework
Onward – IoT powered by FIN Framework

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