James M. Sinopoli, PE, LEED BD+C, RCCD
Managing Principal

For over 25 years, Mr. Sinopoli has worked extensively on projects involving the configuration and optimization of building technology systems and networks. Mr. Sinopoli is the Managing Principal of Smart Buildings, which provides engineering and consulting services for the design and operation of integrated building technology systems.

The firm has experience in the healthcare, corporate, education, manufacturing, finance, construction and government industry sectors. His clients have included Fortune 100 corporations, major school districts, university systems, airports and ports, national government agencies, large private and public hospitals, technology companies, and nationwide developers. His international experience includes projects in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South America and Africa. United States federal clients have included the Internal Revenue Service and the US Postal Service.

Mr. Sinopoli's educational credits include a B.S. in Engineering from Purdue University and a M.A. in Applied Science and Management from Governor's State University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer, an Accredited LEED Professional and a Registered Communications Distribution Designer. Mr. Sinopoli is Chairmen of the Continental Automation Buildings Association’s Task Force on Industry Training and Education.

Mr. Sinopoli has spoken on numerous occasions at conferences and seminars focusing on high technology issues, including AIA, BOMA, Builconn, Realcomm, BICSI and CEFPI conferences. He is a contributing editor for the web site AutomatedBuildings.com, and has written for many industry publications worldwide. Mr. Sinopoli has received the international “Harry J. Pfister” award from the Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI). His most recent publication is a book titled “Smart Buildings”.

Articles Etc

• The Internet of Systems  Without IoT standards for communication and interoperability, we end up with confusion or potential customers having to select proprietary devices by a company or consortium.
  
• The Data Strategy  There are data and information that you'll want for the life cycle of the building, and there are analytic opportunities in long-term data you'll want for comparison and trending, plus opportunities for greater correlation between data, improved data analytics and the possibility of developing or identifying new building data metrics.
• Who Manages The Building Data? There would seem to be a very good case for bringing all the facility data into a unified database architecture and putting into practice standard methodologies and processes to manage the data.
  
• The Machines Take Over the Buildings  We will see the first steps of heightened automation and innovation in a range of companies creating new automation systems and new analytic tools which will incorporate IT tenants and platforms.
• What Building Owners Wantand What’s Their Role in Construction
• Self-Learning Building Automation: What Took Us So Long? -
• The Revival of DC Power  DC based power infrastructure is less about will it be deployed in buildings and more about when.
• Advanced Technology for Smart Buildings  This book provides a summary with details regarding the roles of different participants in the smart building technology implementation process, various control systems, practices such as enterprise data management or energy management as well as emergent technology like indoor positioning systems, eye tracking systems, and software analytic applications.
• Monitoring the Inert: Envelope, Structure  The automation industry, as well as facility designers and managers, may not yet fully appreciate the value and wide-ranging impact of monitoring and management systems designed specifically for the envelope and structure of their buildings.
• Don't Be Overly Alarmed by Alarm Management  “Facts are apt to alarm us more than the most dangerous principles”
• Constructing Construction Specifications  Years ago buildings were designed and constructed using 16 specifications; currently the updated Master Format has 48 specifications slots covering everything relevant to a building.
• Blowing In The Wind  Wind speed is a critical feature of wind resources, because the energy in wind is proportional to wind speed.
• Building with Sunshine After decades in anticipation, the solar energy market has created a substantial and growing movement to integrate photovoltaics (PV) in buildings, where many of the building components and the solar energy production are one in the same.
• New Year’s Resolutions for Building Owners Indulge in introspection and reevaluating aspects of your buildings.
• Going Global  The first Global Building Automation Summit recently took place over two days in Berlin, Germany.
• The Day IT Operates the Building  Despite the industry’s strides in building controls, automation and deployment of IT we’re not close to the potential of fully implementing advanced automation in our buildings.
• Raising the Bars in Buildings  With cell phone penetration around 90-100% and studies showing people spend 80-90% of their time indoors, cell phone coverage in buildings is critical.
• The Ignored Database  While some of the control systems and management systems are integrated and share data, one of the largest databases not to be utilized as part of their data management for building operations is that of BIM.
• Building Things We Overlook  With the current trends of big data, analytics, and the internet of things sucking the oxygen out of the room it’s hard to focus on other modest aspects of the industry that have been around awhile.
• Managing a Building’s “Big Data”  The best industry example of creating name conventions and models is Project Haystack for data points of building automation systems.
• Building Operations  Opportunities and Issues
• The Constantly Evolving Smart Building Whether it’s a smart building or even a green building, the meaning and standards of smart or green will continue to change as innovations come into the marketplace, and occupants and building owners realize increased value.
• Predictions for 2015  In 2015, microgrids and distributed energy will be viewed as very attractive, because of reliability, flexibility and profitability and grow into an important role of providing reliable power at reasonable prices in a sustainable way. Emerging Technology to Watch  Building owners will assess potential value and return.
• Standardizing the Internet of Things  Boiling the Ocean
• Pushing the Envelope  Building Analytics beyond HVAC
• To-Do List for Facility Management  A priority “To-Do” is to focus on attracting, recruiting, and retaining best talent.
  
• Maintaining High Performance Control Systems  The performance level of a building is directly related to the performance level of its control systems. You cannot manage a high performance building without high performing control systems.
• The Road to the Smart City  A starting point in transforming a city to a smart city is to look inward.
• System Integration in Green Buildings  Another plus for system integration is integrating the functionality of two systems to gain functionality that neither system could do alone.
• Mandating Green Buildings: IgCC and ASHRAE 189.1
• Pushing the Envelope Building analytics beyond HVAC
• Lighting Up LEDs  “Out with the Romex Wire: In with Category 6 Cable”
• Smart Buildings Predictions for 2014  The next big leap will be the development of software applications that not only can identify a system fault, but can automatically correct it.
• Defining a Smart Building: Part Five  We complete the definition of a smart building by addressing HVAC, communication and data infrastructure, access control systems, advanced building management systems and sustainability.
  
• Defining a Smart Building: Part Four A smart building has an infrastructure that is dependable, adaptable and cost-effective to maintain and operate.
• Defining a Smart Building: Part Three  Three key elements: networks and security, fire alarm and occupant satisfaction.
• Defining a Smart Building: Part Two  System Integration, AV & Water
• Defining a Smart Building: Part One  This initial article will focus on three of the major attributes of a smart building: cabling infrastructure, lighting control systems and facility management tools.
• The Facility Data Manager  When the Silos Come Tumbling Down
• Modeling Building Automation and Control Systems  Enrich the data with digital relationships within the building, coordinate it with other designers and finally populate our facility management systems.
• Smart Building Strategy: Tackle Behavior First, Technology Second
• Mind the Gap: Monitoring Conveyance Systems
• Indoor Positioning Systems: We Know Where You Are
• Smart Buildings Predictions for 2013  Plus more acronyms; IPS, RFID, SERF, Cross Training for IT and FM, and hybrid AC/DC
• The Role of Architects in a Smart Building  Maybe their most important role in a smart building, is simply putting advanced technology and smart building operations on the agenda.
• Security Issues with Integrated Smart Buildings Developing, testing and deploying security measures in buildings needs to be an ongoing process actively built into the operation of the building.
• Using DC Power in Buildings and Ending the War of Currents
• Eight Building System Integration Tips  Collectively the industry has many “lessons learned”, and by acknowledging and sharing these lessons, the industry benefits.
• The Future Building Management System  The future building management system will change and reinvent what currently is a lethargic industry.
• Building Your Own Grid   Micro energy management and Macro benefits.
• The Smartest Green Building  San Francisco Public Utility Commission Sets an Example
• Spring Cleaning’s To-Do List  for Facility Management
• Maintaining High Performance Control Systems  The performance level of a building is directly related to the performance level of its control systems. You cannot manage a high performance building without high performing control systems. 
• Inside the Killer App for Buildings & Energy Management  Fault Detection & Diagnostics
• Predictions for Smart Buildings in 2012
• Going Up  Elevators, Control Systems and Energy
• Critical Mass  The unstoppable momentum for open and integrated building systems.
• Building Analytics from a Different View  Why Video Cameras are the Swiss Army Knife of Building Sensors
• The Challenge to Legacy Building Management Systems   Improved or advanced BMS systems will need to have “middleware” software tools and be able to standardized data from a variety of sources and systems into an open database structure.
• The “Moon Shot” for Building Energy Performance  The goals have been set and the bar is high, as we enter a transitional period where voluntary actions related to building energy performance will soon be mandatory.
• Specifying Energy Management & Integration Software   In a growing and rapidly changing marketplace for energy management and integration software, it’s important to take a methodical approach in the procurement and deployment of an EMS and focus not so much on the marketplace but rather your unique requirements and building operations.
• The Unheralded Network Topology   RS-485 may be the “forgotten” or “taken for granted” “boring” network, but it is the mainstay of many building and industrial automation systems.
• The Last Frontier of Building Systems  The Envelope & Structure
  
• The Management of Building System Data (…or the absence of)
• Don't Be Panicked by Alarm Management of Building Systems  “Facts are apt to alarm us more than the most dangerous principles”
• The Handoff Between A Newly Constructed Building and Building Operations  How Not To Fumble
• Telecom Service Providers Target M2M and Automation Service providers have figured out that it’s not only IT systems that can be managed for clients but any sensor or device on any system or network, many of which operate in buildings.
• Designing An Integrated Building System The heart of the IBS is in the integration of building systems in a way that provides greater functionality and facilitates optimum building operations.
  
• Predictions for Smart Buildings in 2011  Expect a few small and medium size companies to exponentially grow, some to be acquired by large companies, but some culling will take place.
• Making Money From Demand Response  The ultimate goal is to maximize the attainment of energy reduction, while minimizing the effect on occupants and building performance.
• Dashboards for Buildings  Dashboards are meant to convey essential information quickly and clearly on one screen.
• Wireless Meters The Real Hotspot
  
• Are There Too Many Choices For Wireless Building Systems?  Wireless technologies such as ZigBee, EnOcean, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, RFID, Insteon, Bluetooth, etc. are a snapshot
• Occupying Yourself with Energy and Occupancy  The most popular technology for counting people at the doorway appears to be thermal sensors or imaging, infrared and video analytics.
• A Window into Shading and Electrically Switchable Glass  There are three systems that need to act in tandem: lighting control systems, the HVAC system and the shading system.
• Re-Commissioning Facility Management Organizations  FM organizations need to re-examine their mission to determine goals and eventually objectives.
• Where The Rubber Meets The Road  Measurement and Verification
• FDD Going Mainstream? Whose Fault Is It?  What has emerged over the last several years, are software tools based on fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) that have taken actionable information and system intelligence to a new level.
• The How and Why of Operations Centers in Smart Buildings  The objective of an operations center is to enable and enhance the capabilities of the staff and overall operations. 
• Predictions for Smart Buildings in 2010  We can expect energy management systems to evolve for individuals or specific spaces or functions.
• How Buildings Will Communicate With The Smart Grid: The Applications and Protocols
• Five Building Inefficiencies that are Business Opportunities  Five years ago the US National Institute of Science and Technology estimated the lack of interoperability in the construction industry was costing around $16 billion per year. 
• How Do We Measure The Performance Of A Building?  The fact is that most buildings are too complex to be evaluated on just energy consumption.
• Drilling for Dollars   IT Companies Find Energy
• 6 Useful Tips for Smart Meters and Plug Loads  As buildings move to incorporate more sensors and metering to generate data about usage and performance, metering and monitoring the electrical distribution and plug load will be integral. 
• Park It Here: Smart and Green Parking Garages
• The California Smart Building Association  The California Smart Building Association is dedicated to establishing and strengthening public policies that promote the development of smart buildings in California for commercial, residential and public projects.
• Opening the Door to IP POE-Powered Access Control Systems  The transformation leverages the existing IT infrastructure, eliminates the need for local power, consolidates and saves labor costs for cable installation, reduces the time to install system devices, is more scalable and provides a large base of management tools and support.  
• Diving Into Building Water Management  It is a water management system that monitors and manages water use that will change the process from simply supplying water to managing the demand for water. 
• Count Me In: People Counters  A Simple System for Essential Building Data
• Nine Predictions for Smart Buildings in 2009  “Never make predictions, especially about the future.” Casey Stengel American Baseball Player and Manager, 1891-1975 
• New Year Resolutions for the Industry  How we will stop smoking, lose weight, start exercising and save money in 2009
• Protocol Blenders and Information Creators: Middleware Providers and Implementation Strategy & Neil Gifford
• Using Structured Cable Solutions For BAS  The largest opportunity to reduce capital costs of installation in building technology systems is the installation of the system’s cable and cable pathways. 
• An 8-Step Strategy To Making Existing Buildings Smart  An 8-step strategy for improving the performance of existing building stock.
• Staying in Touch with Touch Screen Controls  The actual touch screen devices vary, but three classes of devices have emerged. These include touch screen controls from companies traditionally focused on audio visual, touch screens on VOIP telephones and touch screens that are part of wall-mounted personal computers. 
• [an error occurred while processing this directive] What Exactly is "Network Integration?"  “If it's the Psychic Network why do they need a phone number?”  Robin Williams, Actor, Comedian
• The Coming Flood of Energy Reporting, Building Sensors and System Meters  In order to meet the challenge of energy management within buildings, maintain and increase the performance and asset value, buildings systems will need to dramatically increase devices that can sense, monitor, measure and manage energy loads and consumption, and weave that data into management reports that provide actionable information. 
• Eight Predictions for Smart Buildings in 2008  “Never make predictions, especially about the future.”  Casey Stengel
• IP Innovation: Clock, Paging and Messaging Systems 
• How Do Smart Buildings Make A Building Green?  Smart buildings make green buildings greener, and green buildings make smart buildings smarter.
  Can You Hear Me Now?  Cell Coverage in Buildings 
• 9 Tips  On How To Obtain The Best Value In System Cabling
• Commissioning Forever   “The system of nature, of which man is a part, tends to be self-balancing, self-adjusting, self-cleansing. Not so with technology.” E.F. Schumacher, Small is Beautiful 
• Bytes and Bricks: Leaving Data and Money on the Table  “Technological change is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal.” - Albert Einstein 
• The Top 10 List For Successfully Integrating Building Systems  “I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. “ - Michael Jordan, Six NBA Championships, Five Times NBA MVP
• Smart Parking Garages?  “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us” Winston Churchill
• Implementation Issues of Open Networks   One can specify and procure an open system, but the system needs to be properly installed, configured and documented to produce the “open” benefits.  
• Capex Happiness: Squeezing the Redundancy Out of the Construction Budget 
• Certification for Designers and Installers: The Industry’s Path Forward for Credibility
• Specifying Integrated Technology Systems in a Fragmented World  “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” - Steve Jobs, 2003  
• Coordinating the Design of Integrated Building Technology Systems  “Sitting at his conference table and speaking of technology, Mr. Gehry volunteers, “I don’t know how to turn on my DVD. I barely can use the technology in my car.”
  

• [an error occurred while processing this directive] Trends in Wireless Controls  A discussion of  the trends and impact of wireless controls on the building industry. 
• Smart Building Product Ratings  With a product rating we think that stakeholders will find the design, sourcing and integration of building systems simplified.
• Certification?  Education and Training needs for the designers, contractors and managers of high performance and integrated buildings.
• Industry Certification  There is definitely a need for manufacturer-independent certification to legitimize and provide credibility to the industry.
• Smart Buildings  Smart buildings offer facility managers a much greater set of tools to save money, energy and personnel.
  
  

Professional Information

For over 25 years, Mr. Sinopoli has worked extensively on projects involving the configuration and optimization of building technology systems and networks. Mr. Sinopoli has spoken on numerous occasions at conferences and seminars focusing on high technology issues and has received the international “Harry J. Pfister” award from the Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI).

Mr. Sinopoli has experience in the healthcare, corporate, education, manufacturing, finance, construction and government industry sectors. His clients have included Fortune 100 corporations, the US Postal Service, the US Air Force, major K-12 school districts throughout the county, statewide university systems, airports and ports, the Internal Revenue System, large private and public hospitals, technology companies, and nationwide developers. His international experience includes projects in Asia, Europe, South America and Africa.

Mr. Sinopoli's educational credits include a B.S. in Engineering from Purdue University and a M.A. in Applied Science and Management from Governor's State University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and a Registered Communications Distribution Designer. He recently authored a book titled “Smart Buildings”.

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