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PIT spreads its wings

Honeywell has a long history of securing Pittsburgh International Airport, culminating in the implementation of the Honeywell Enterprise Buildings Integrator.

Situated on 10 000 acres, Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) services 200 non-stop flights to 50 destinations on a daily basis. With new routes being added each year and the surrounding airfield growing, PIT is a major economic engine for Pennsylvania.

In the 1980s, the Allegheny County Airport Authority needed to expand and update its facilities and equipment to accommodate the growing number of domestic and international flights. Construction on a new terminal at PIT began in 1990, adding 7,7 million square feet of air-side space, more than 100 gates and a shopping mall. Based on a more than 40-year relationship, PIT tapped Honeywell for heating, ventilation and airconditioning (HVAC), and fire alarm systems.

When the terminal opened in 1992, Honeywell helped control more than 17 000 HVAC and 9000 fire alarm points. Throughout the following years, Honeywell provided several rounds of building and control expansions to accommodate airport growth and to update equipment.

Under an ongoing service agreement, two full-time Honeywell technicians help maintain the airport’s equipment and oversee field work. Honeywell also provides system training as needed.

Systems integration

Following 11 September, PIT sought to improve safety and comfort by monitoring and controlling all building systems – including HVAC, lighting, fire and life safety – from its Emergency Operations Centre. In 2002, PIT implemented Honeywell Enterprise Buildings Integrator (EBI), which boosts efficiency and reduces operating costs by integrating building systems. Operators can view and control these systems from any workstation. EBI also fits PIT’s specification to ease operations and reduce training time.

Besides HVAC and fire, PIT has integrated a defibrillator onto EBI. EBI now automatically notifies EOC operators if a defibrillator unit is moved to treat a medical emergency. An alarm pinpoints the incident location so personnel can quickly respond.

Using EBI, PIT also has linked its fire system into off-site buildings, including hangars and maintenance garages. PIT is also considering incorporating closed circuit television (CCTV) system data onto EBI, along with the Flight Information Display System (FIDS), which details arrival and departure times.

Energy conservation

Additionally, PIT wanted better control of its energy use, so it established an energy management team consisting of airport management, facilities personnel and Honeywell consultants. The team meets monthly to assess conservation opportunities and better leverage EBI.

For example, Honeywell optimised airport rooftop units to minimise electrical consumption. PIT stops escalators and moving walkways at night and also places occupancy sensors in terminal areas. PIT also is exploring terminal sub-metering to better understand and regulate energy use.

As PIT looks to expand its capabilities beyond the airport and tie in building systems at the nearby Allegheny County Airport, Honeywell will support its needs every step of the way.

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