HTML as a Documentation Medium for Building O & M

Toronto ASHRAE Annual Meeting 6/21/1998

Introduction

The purpose of this presentation is to provide some information on an alternative form for operations and maintenance documentation for buildings. That alternative form is computer files using HyperText Markup Language (HTML), and residing on a computer workstation.

HTML is, as many of you will know, the language of the Internet. The concept is to make O & M documentation available in a form that is as readily available to the building operator as data on the World-Wide Web is available to anyone with Internet access on their home or business computer. It is essentially an off-line application of Internet data concepts.

Practical application of this concept is available right now. Any building with a DDC system, and having a computer workstation interfacing to the system, can use that same workstation to hold HTML-based O & M documentation.

Why HTML?

HTML is a good choice of medium for documenting building mechanical and electrical Operating & Maintenance information for your projects, including energy and comfort optimization strategies. HTML offers many features of value in an O & M documentation application:

• It allows graphics and text information to be mixed.
• Hypertext links between files are easy to set up.
• Word searches within files are a feature of the software.
• Data in paper form can be easily scanned into the computer system and form part of the documentation.
• Access to, and authority to revise the files, can be limited by password security.
• HTML is able to run on most major computer operating system platforms that support an HTML browser.
• Provision can easily be made for the building operator to update the information, insert questions to be answered, etc. in order to make the information as relevant, complete and useful as possible.
• For those who really get into this, an interactive multimedia presentation, customized for your application, can be created.

Documenting in this method allows an interactive electronic legacy to be left on the operating computer for the project.

What Can HTML Multimedia Environments Mean to Our Industry?

The short answer is that it means there is an exciting new interactive medium that can be used to provide better and more usable O & M documentation. The use of HTML is constantly growing and improving because it is the language of the Internet. It is highly portable and internationally accepted. In fact, O & M documentation using HTML is like having a local WWW on a single computer, or a local network of computers. Such a network, when using HTML files, a browser, and perhaps a custom search engine, is termed an Intranet.

The new generation of HTML browsers allows close desktop operating system integration. It allows the simple assembly of easy to use, highly functional, PC-based, multimedia, linked HTML files.

Information from many sources can be quickly assembled into electronic form using any one of the many powerful HTML editors available today.

If information is already available in electronic format, it can be simply read into the HTML environment. Manufacturer information, balancing reports in a spreadsheet format, or sequences of operation from specifications might be examples of this.

Traditional paper documentation can be included by scanning and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. Successful scanning requires a clean original, preferably using a simple font. Even then, the resulting file needs to be reviewed and edited to correct any scanning errors. Also, text and graphics information should be scanned separately into different files. Once they are in electronic files, then they can be recombined as needed.

Actual operating data, for example trendlogs from the DDC system which illustrate correct operation, can be captured and included as diagrams alongside text explaining the operation being illustrated.

Most newer word processing and spreadsheet programs are able to generate HTML files directly. A typical approach would be to set it up in a very familiar manner. There will be a “main menu” or table of contents page, or file. Then there will be files for each of the various systems and topics to be covered in the manual. These will all be linked to the table of contents, so clicking a mouse on a table of contents item will automatically cause that item to be displayed. All the abilities of the browser being used, such as “Forward”, “Back”, “Print”, “Edit”, etc. are available to the user. The new generation of browser software can launch other applications and files, which leads to the simple custom generation of easy to use, highly functional, integrated project information from all sources.

The resources required to generate this information can be reused on each project as core information, and can be edited to quicken assembly of similar information for additional projects. HTML files are easily edited remotely and emailed to site as attached files, or can be edited on site by operator, to provide accurate quickly changing information. If a new contractor or consultant comes to the project, orientation and general explanation time can be greatly reduced by reviewing the HTML site before asking questions.

Where this approach to O & M documentation has been introduced, it has been well received, particularly by younger, computer-literate operators. In fact, one of the exciting aspects of this electronic approach to documentation is that, in a very real sense, it has no boundaries. There are so many new ways of doing things being discovered in the computer world today, that what is new, or optimum, today may well become obsolete or passé tomorrow.

In fact, it is entirely likely there are people in this audience who know more about how to create and use this sort of “soft” documentation than I do. The only reason I’m up here is that the organizers of this session don’t know who you are. By all means talk to the session chair, or any of the speakers today. Offer to share your knowledge with your colleagues in ASHRAE. It will help you, and it will help our industry.

Resource Library for a Building Operator’s Laptop [an error occurred while processing this directive]

There is no limitation to the information that can be included in PC-based O & M documentation. The following would be a typical list of options:

• Client contact information;
• Contractor contact information;
• Air balance reports which launch data and application spreadsheets;
• Product information; any paper based information can be easily scanned in, or information can be downloaded from the vendor’s web site;
• Copies of, or links to, applicable standards or codes;
• Copies of employer-mandated procedures - e.g. IAQ complaint process;
• Frequently used engineering data, conversion charts, etc.;
• Anything which would otherwise be on a piece of paper taped to the wall, bulletin board, or wherever the operator could see it quickly.
• In summary, anything which would be in a conventional O & M manual, and more.

A standard shell or document format can be developed into which information for specific buildings is entered. A multi-building owner may develop a custom shell, to suit organizational operating needs.

Access to the documentation can be easily launched from a desktop, via a shortcut link to the “start HTML” file. Clicking on the HTML file will invoke the default browser and launch the complete application. The electronic documentation can be set up so pertinent information is presented by pointing and clicking on Hypertext “hot spots” in a graphical representation of the building or one of its systems.

This new media is well received by users as it requires almost no introduction or learning curve. We are excited about its use in both new and existing projects.

Documenting System Operating Intent Using HTML

Comfort and energy performance intentions and goals need to be documented, and in a format that can be completely understood by the building operators. Results can then be compared to goals, and adjustments made as needed. The use of the computer and HTML facilitates documentation of both the original goals, but also any revisions. One goal is to communicate this information effectively to the people actually operating the building. Its achievement, however, will take more than technology. Operator training and familiarization in how to understand and use the information made available is an essential ingredient in the overall O & M documentation picture.

The documentation can include actual pieces of screen captures from the operating Direct Digital Control system. This concept lets you actually demonstrate graphically the desired operating parameters that the designer felt should be achieved. This is extremely useful for demonstrating how operators should use the system to achieve the optimum client comfort within a least energy use strategy. An example of this is to capture hourly and daily energy graphs that depict successful operation and provide them as a goal for the operator to achieve and maintain. The operating intent can be effectively documented in this manner and circulated to the Owner, all involved contractors, consultants and the building operator for concurrence.

It is important for everyone to know that the documentation left on the on site computer will be operator-friendly, and contain usable information. This will stir new interest in its use, and hopefully encourage the people closest to the building, i.e. the operators, to have a significant input. If the documentation is well prepared it will be useful to not only the regular building operator but to others who seek to understand how the building operates. The real value of the information often comes when the operator is on holidays and a temporary operator is required. These files can be electronically transferred to the temporary operator as resource information on the building.

This concept also works well to update older text based documentation. Software is available which can pass dynamic text based data to the HTML files. Periodically the actual operation should be compared to the operating goals contained in the documentation. Changes should be noted and updates prepared as needed. This exercise generally generates discussions on improving building operation.

Demo of the HTML Documentation Concept

Home Page:

The first overhead shows the main menu, used to access the many HTML “pages”. Logos and artwork can be copied from almost any source, including web sites. This “home page” is extremely important. Access to every piece of information should be from this screen.

Emergency information is highlighted. Fire and Security instructions that relate to the mechanical operators are listed. The existing paper fire plan was scanned in to allow quicker access to information. Complex smoke interfaces and annunciator information were also added. Information which has been added in the latest revision has a “New” label on it.

The ability to scan information in made it extremely easy to add existing paper based information. The guiding rule was that if it was important enough to be tacked or taped to the wall of the building operator’s room it was important enough to be added to the HTML data set.

Five of the hypertext links are shown in larger print. We’ll go to these now, as they illustrate many of the things I have been talking about.

Building and Client Comfort Concepts:

Information concerning system operation and comfort issues is presented, supplemented by a small zoning diagram, illustrating how zones, and information relevant to them, are presented on DDC graphic screens. Also included is a screen capture from the DDC system which illustrates the no-load to full-load control sequence for a typical fan-powered zone air terminal in this facility.

Note the “BACK” button which returns the user to the home page. This feature is available on all the pages, or files, in the documentation set.

Energy Performance Evaluation Tools:

Again a mix of text and graphics are used. In this case, the graphics illustrate typical daily electrical energy use data, based on inputs to the DDC system from pulse meters. The “hot buttons” on the left link to real-time DDC system trendlogs for the last full day so the operator can easily get current energy use data.

You will note the information flows right off the bottom of this screen capture slide. HTML pages are typically several screens long, as there is no limit to the length of a page.

Sprinkler Valves:

This sprinkler drawing is a good example of including information of particular relevance to operators. The only available drawing was a hand sketch that was scanned in and is now readily accessible to all operators.

Note the bars at the bottom and right of the screen. They indicate the scrolling necessary to see the rest of this drawing.

City Building Operations Contact List:

This is a complete list of contact people for all possible situations. The inset illustrates the word search capability of HTML.

Results to Date:

This particular O & M documentation set is not static. As operating data become available, it can be added to the list of files. When it is, it is labeled “NEW” on the home page. In this example, energy consumption data for about 9 months is shown.

Post Script

My co-author has a complete working demo of this site on his company’s web site. However, it uses our client’s data, so we prefer that you request access to it and explain how you intend to use the site before actually doing so.

If anyone in interested in the e-mail address, please see me after the session and I will be pleased to let you have it.

Please email sinclair@enviromation.bc.ca   if you wish to view this site and we can provide you access.

Tel: (250) 656-5378 Fax: 656-2394 : sinclair@enviromation.bc.ca

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