Hello everyone,
It’s finally here—our new book on the topic of Technical Monitoring and Commissioning Management. This is also a great opportunity to launch a blog on the subject of quality management for buildings, as there is a lot to report. As we did in our Summer Boot Camp, I would like to present the latest developments around TMon & Co. Here, I will share insights from our ongoing projects, where we continuously gain fascinating experiences. Naturally, I will also introduce some new tools that help us further digitize quality management for buildings.
Finally: Technical Monitoring is Taking Off!
It was a major challenge to bring these topics to the forefront, but by now, most clients have understood that modern buildings are not technical self-runners; they require effective quality management.
Technical Monitoring – Old Wine in New Bottles?
A common question arises: What exactly is Technical Monitoring? Haven’t we always done this? Is it really necessary? To start with the last question: Yes, every building needs Technical Monitoring! After all, every client should check whether they are getting the desired performance for the significant amount of money spent. What is important here is that the monitoring is implemented appropriately. At synavision, we are currently working on the Berlin Palace, as well as daycare centers and just about all sizes and complexity levels in between. It works, and thanks to good software, it is very cost-effective! And one thing is clear: we will not meet our climate protection goals without effective quality management.
Unfortunately, we haven’t always done this. If we had, we wouldn’t have the enormous quality deficits in buildings, and over the last few decades, we would have emitted much less CO2. Additionally, the buildings and the processes involved in their construction have simply become more complex. Multi-functional heating/cooling centers are inherently complicated to plan and build. If they also have to be implemented in sub-subcontractor structures, it becomes completely opaque.
However, the technical complexity has an important advantage for quality management: the systems provide data! And therein lies a key to quality management. The other key lies in the possibilities of modern software: we can create digital twins and use them for building quality management. We must seize these opportunities to guide our buildings onto the right climate path with Technical Monitoring.
That leaves the question: What exactly is Technical Monitoring?
The definition of TMon is simple: TMon checks whether it works. In the first step, it derives functional goals from the planning and specifies them in a verifiable manner. In the second step, the building performance is tested in a trial operation, typically over a defined period of 3-14 days, to check whether the building’s systems behave as intended in the planning. The results either confirm the performance or highlight deficiencies. TMon is thus a genuine tool for quality management. The AMEV 158 provides a very precise service description, defining the scope of work down to the data point. Due to this precise definition, it can be easily digitized and implemented in a cost-effective manner.
A central point for TMon is that it is independent. After all, it checks whether the installed systems function correctly or are being operated properly.
The entire process of TMon and its application in construction projects is precisely described in the basic services of AMEV 158. This provides an overview for now. Details on implementation and practical tips will follow soon!
Best regards,
Stefan Plesser
