LonWorks open building control network

The James Cook University Hospital is reaping the benefits of one of the largest LonWorks open building control networks in the world.

It comprises over 8,000 interoperable LonMark products within 30 sub-systems managing HVAC, lighting, security and alarms on critical medical systems.

All components are LonWorks compatible, so they integrate with everything else and allow complete flexibility to expand the system and replace any failed component with LonWorks products from any manufacturer, now and in the future.

"The building systems contract for the hospital specified LonWorks so it would not be tied to products from specific manufacturers," revealed Greg Harrison, director of Hartlepool-based Jade BMS, which installed and maintains the building systems.

"The systems integrate, monitor and control all the hospital's HVAC, lighting, security, elevators and power centre, as well as alarms on critical medical systems including cryogenic stores, blood banks, medical gases and UPS/IPS (uninterruptible power supplies and isolated power supplies)".

The James Cook University Hospital was created under a GBP137 million PFI-funded project for South Tees Hospital NHS Trust, which combined three hospitals on one site in Middlesbrough by refurbishing the existing South Cleveland Hospital and constructing an additional 63,000 sq m facility alongside to create a 145,000 sq m complex with over 1000 beds.

It opened in August 2003.

Controllers from various manufacturers within existing buildings were incompatible with the LonWorks network, so were replaced by LonMark products to ensure site-wide integration and independence from any manufacturer.

LonWorks is an open system networking platform for monitoring and control applications.

It allows integration of any sensing and controlling device that uses the LonWorks protocol and that meets standards managed by LonMark International.

LonMark UK is an affiliate group of LonMark International, an industry authority for certification, education, and promotion of interoperability standards for the benefit of manufacturers, integrators, and end users.

Its mission is to enable the easy integration of multi-vendor systems based on LonWorks networks.

Back to top