SymmetrE BMS for Cape Town's Sanlam Centre

June 2004 Integrated Solutions

A Cape Town shopping mall is the first site in South Africa to install Honeywell's new SymmetrE building management system (BMS). The 20-year-old Sanlam Centre in Voortrekker Road, Parow, Cape Town has recently had a face lift and partial refurbishment which has included replacement of the existing BMS in conjunction with the mechanical upgrade to the existing airconditioning system. The new system will monitor and control heating, ventilation and airconditioning for 61 000 m2 of retail space throughout the two storey centre.

Intelligent workstation and open architecture

"Honeywell's new SymmetrE redefines expectations from heating, ventilation and airconditioning monitoring and control. The system comprises an intelligent workstation with all the tools you need to view and control your system from one point, it is also a truly open system permitting complete integration with other third party subsystems with no complication," said Tim Timmins, Honeywell's Advanced Solutions business manager.

SSD Controls, Honeywell's Technology Partner for the Cape Region and Namibia won the tender and project managed the installation in conjunction with consultants Nico van Rensburg Arthur Morris & Partners and Peter Hill of Mechanical Cooling who installed the plant.

No inconvenience to retailers or shoppers

It was very important that the project proceeded as smoothly as possible with minimal inconvenience to both retailers and shoppers. "The retrofit was planned carefully to minimise disruption to the shopping centre which was able to function normally with little inconvenience throughout the project," said Rod van der Westhuizen of SSD. "We liaised closely with both mechanical contractors and the client in order to ensure a smooth transition."

Project scope

The brief from the client was to provide a complete control system based on the latest technology that allows the building manager total control from a single workstation. In addition, the system must be reliable, support open protocols and provide considerable energy saving benefits.

The BMS workstation is located in the centre management offices and provides the building manager with a window into the entire operating system - either in text or graphic form. From this station the manager will be able to access all information relating to programmed start schedules, stop schedules and alarm messaging. He will be also able to provide special events time scheduling for AHU operation, provide tenants with history of plant performance and generally control the entire HVAC system.

Apart from the installation and configuration of the SymmetrE BMS, the scope of the project also included retrofitting 17 air handling units (AHU), three chilled water plants, monitoring power factor correction equipment and monitoring and controlling maximum demand and KVA. All AHUs are fitted with dampers and actuators to provide economy cycle control in order to save energy.

Honeywell variable speed drives, ranging in size from 1,5 kW to 55 kW, were fitted to supply and return air fans and chilled water pumps.

Honeywell Excel 50 LonMark controllers are used in all the AHU and chiller applications. Existing control panels were retained, however the new controls were fitted to new backplates and pre wired. This enabled the existing system to continue controlling until a sequenced swap-out was undertaken, again to minimise disruption to the tenants.

Temperature sensors are fitted in various shops throughout the shopping centre to provide feedback and enable supply air reset features. Pressure relief dampers are controlled in branch ducts to regulate static pressure in conjunction with the variable air volume system.

Comprehensive reprogramming of chilled water control and sequencing chillers will improve chiller performance and provide further energy savings.

Honeywell Technology Partner, SSD, provides service and energy management to many large institutions and key buildings in Cape Town. The company specialises in implementing and achieving energy savings through correct application and management of building management systems.

Advanced Solutions is part of the Honeywell Security Group providing complete solutions - standalone or fully integrated - for the key facility management requirements of one or more buildings. Systems can incorporate access control, security, surveillance, heating, lighting control, ventilation and airconditioning and life safety systems including fire detection and prevention.

For more information contact Honeywell Security Group, 011 574 2503, [email protected]





Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Digitising security solutions with AI and smart integration
Regal Security Distributors SA Technews Publishing Integrated Solutions
The Regal Projects Team’s decades of experience and commitment to integration have brought the digital security guard to life as a trusted force for safer, smarter living.

Read more...
Smart cities and the role of video security
Surveillance Integrated Solutions
As cities around the world continue to embrace smart technology, including IoT that not only connects to people, but also the surrounding activity, the integration of advanced video security systems is crucial to ensure safety and efficiency in environments.

Read more...
Surveillance to unjam the traffic
Integrated Solutions Transport (Industry)
Traffic is a challenge that affects urban areas across Africa. The city of Johannesburg, South Africa’s most populous city, experiences severe traffic resulting from a confluence of issues, including power outages, faulty traffic lights, and infrastructure theft.

Read more...
The benefits of offsite control rooms
Astrosec Surveillance Integrated Solutions
As the security landscape grows more intricate, control rooms – the crucial hub of security operations – need to adapt. With escalating costs, mounting threats, and a heightened demand for immediate responses, many organisations are reassessing the operations of their control rooms.

Read more...
edgE:Tower video analytics integrated with SEON
Surveillance Integrated Solutions AI & Data Analytics
Sentronics has announced a new integration between its edgE:Tower advanced AI-driven video analytics solution and SEON, a Central Monitoring Software (CMS) platform. This integration enhances real-time situational awareness and automated threat detection for control rooms.

Read more...
Security industry embraces mobile credentials, biometrics and AI
AI & Data Analytics Access Control & Identity Management Integrated Solutions
As organisations navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape, security leaders are making strategic shifts toward unified platforms and emerging technologies, according to the newly released 2025 State of Security and Identity Report from HID.

Read more...
Insurance provider uses Net2 For access management
Paxton Access Control & Identity Management Integrated Solutions Healthcare (Industry)
BestMed selected Paxton Net2 for its access control requirements because of its simplicity of installation and ease of navigation for end users, as well as the 5-year warranty.

Read more...
The power of knowing your client
Ideco Biometrics Access Control & Identity Management Integrated Solutions
One of the most effective ways to combat the threat of fraud, identity theft, and financial crime threats is through a robust Know Your Client (KYC) process, which safeguards both businesses and clients.

Read more...
Managing identities for 20 years
Ideco Biometrics Technews Publishing SMART Security Solutions Access Control & Identity Management Integrated Solutions IoT & Automation
Many companies are now more aware of the risks associated with unauthorised access to locations and sensitive data and are investing in advanced identity authentication technologies to mitigate these threats.

Read more...
Cost-effective and reliable remote connectivity
Agriculture (Industry) Integrated Solutions Infrastructure
Companies that operate in hard-to-connect areas now have access to reliable connectivity due to a collaboration between MTN South Africa, Vox and Tarana technology.

Read more...










While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd. | All Rights Reserved.