What is the primary function of a Building Monitoring System (BMS)?

A Building Monitoring System (BMS) primarily functions to monitor critical mechanical equipment within a building's infrastructure. This system is designed to oversee and optimize the operations of various subsystems, such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, fire safety, and security systems. By monitoring these systems, a BMS helps ensure efficiency, maintain comfort across the facility, and provide alerts for any irregularities or failures that may disrupt operations.

Though some might think that a BMS might control HVAC systems exclusively, its scope is much broader, encompassing overall building management. Tracking individual employee performance or managing financial records falls outside the responsibilities of a BMS, which focuses on monitoring and management rather than areas like human resources or finance. Thus, the selection of monitoring critical mechanical equipment accurately reflects the main purpose of a BMS.