CEMP-E
TI 811-12
18 August 1998
CHAPTER 2
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
1. RELIABILITY. The independent (stand-alone) operation of the smart field panel ensures that
equipment under its control will continue to operate in the absence of communications with the central
station or island station. In this stand-alone mode, each smart field panel will continue to perform most
functions, including data collection, time scheduled operations, space temperature adjustments, complex
control algorithms and sequences of operation, and self-diagnosis. Failure of any smart field panel must
not adversely affect performance of the rest of the UMCS. The only exception allowed is the condition
where another smart field panel, the central station or island station require data from the failed smart
field panel. An example is peak demand prediction calculations used in electrical demand management,
which cannot be performed if the smart field panel which collects the electric metering data is not
operating and/or communicating with the central station or island station and other smart field panels.
2. EXPANDABILITY. A UMCS is installed under contracts that provide the Government with legal
rights in technical data and computer software, and specific site license agreements allowing for system
expandability. Additional hardware and/or software may be required for incorporating new buildings,
control points or other systems into the UMCS. The expansion of systems must be developed with great
care. Particular care must be exercised in evaluating the feasibility of expanding existing EMCS, since
expansion may be a cost-effective solution.
3. BENEFITS. Application of UMCS design features required by this manual, such as distributed
processing, results in efficient use of the central station and island station computers, since many time-
consuming operations take place in the smart field panel. The central computer systems utilize their
processing time performing central alarm reporting, trend logging, electric demand limiting, global energy
optimization functions, and supporting operator interface functions such as graphic displays.
4. APPLICATIONS. UMCS may perform many utility management functions, including maintenance
management, monitoring of water treatment plants/ industrial facilities, and other utility related tasks,
provided that agency guidelines on funding and applications are satisfied. In buildings having life safety
systems utilizing UMCS controlled devices, coordination of priorities for control of the final device, such as
a damper, will be determined and specified. Life safety functions and equipment will have priority over
UMCS control functions. Utility system applications of UMCS include monitoring and limited control of
electrical distribution systems; emergency generators and fuel storage; exterior and interior lighting
systems; water treatment and distribution systems including storage tanks, distribution piping, booster
pumps, and treatment plants; sanitary sewer systems including sewage lift stations; irrigation systems;
hot water and steam boiler plants and heating distribution systems; chiller plants including chillers,
pumps, cooling towers and chilled water distribution systems; building systems such as heating,
ventilating and air conditioning systems; electric power systems; thermal storage systems; domestic water
systems; cold storage and refrigeration systems; and specialty systems such as compressed air and
medical gas systems. In general, the UMCS is not used for fire alarm or security systems.
5. CODES AND STANDARDS. Design of the UMCS will incorporate all applicable codes and
standards. Regulations which are in effect for the specific site at the time the drawing & specifications are
prepared will be incorporated.
6. FUNCTIONAL EQUIVALENCY. This manual defines the minimum needs of the Government. Some
manufacturers offer systems in response to the Government's need which vary in system architecture and
physical arrangements. The procuring activity must determine whether or not the system offered in
response to the Government's requirements does, in fact, meet or exceed the specified arrangement.
One example of functional equivalency is the use of network-compatible smart field panels which
communicate directly with the island station local area network (LAN). In this system configuration all
data communication management functions are handled by the network devices and the island station
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