M&S selects IP controllers
December 1st 2004

Two firsts for Priva Building Intelligence: its first XML based systems transmitting across a TCP/IP installation and its first contracts (at stores in Rotherham and Kidderminster) with Marks & Spencer.

Working with its consultants, Synergy Building Services Solutions, Marks & Spencer had already specified IP addressable building control systems for its Kidderminster and Rotherham stores. Matrix Control Solutions installed and commissioned the Priva Compri HX8 controllers which provide TCP/IP capability as standard.

The decision to design an IP addressable control network for the HVAC services is explained by Steve Little of Synergy Building Services Solutions; “The refrigeration equipment in both stores will be monitored by a RDM IP system that has remote monitoring capability.This means that any refrigeration failure can be quickly identified and an alarm sent to the Marks & Spencer Remote Monitoring Centre for immediate action. By selecting an HVAC control system with IP capability, we can harness the two systems (HVAC and Refrigeration) to work together achieving greater efficiencies and energy savings throughout the stores.” Both stores are situated in local retail parks attracting shoppers from the towns as well as surrounding districts.

Kidderminster is a new build project while Rotherham was a refit of an existing shell development. Matrix Control Solutions installed Priva Compri HX intelligent controllers at each site as the controllers use a powerful 32-bit microprocessor to guarantee the high processing speed and computing power required by modem integrated systems. Large quantities of data, such as program settings and adjustments, alarm messages, energy consumption, and trend logs can be stored creating a reliable base for subsequent data analysis – and all programs are safely guarded in flash memory.

System architecture for each store includes a ROM Data Director that communicates with both the refrigeration control system and the Priva HVAC controllers, which manage the HVAC services using the XML protocol.

XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is a language system that allows information to be displayed in a structured manner, thus making it a powerful connection medium that is suitable for transmission across modem TCP/IP networks.

It is the RDM Data Director at each store that receives all incoming alarm messages and forwards them to Marks & Spencer Remote Monitoring Centre via the company’s internal telephone network. This Remote Monitoring Centre can also access the Priva controlled HVAC services to assess plant conditions and make energy saving program adjustments.

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