Controls and automation systems are the intelligence layer of a building. They connect equipment, sensors, devices, networks, software, operators, and data into a coordinated system that allows facilities to operate safely, efficiently, reliably, and intelligently.

ASI supports controls and automation systems across the full project lifecycle, from early planning and design support through BIM/VDC coordination, preconstruction, procurement, installation support, programming coordination, startup, point-to-point verification, commissioning, analytics, turnover, and lifecycle operations.

Our approach looks at controls as a complete system architecture: field devices, controllers, control panels, communication networks, supervisory platforms, BAS, EPMS, PLC, SCADA, equipment interfaces, dashboards, alarms, trends, sequences of operation, cybersecurity, analytics, and long-term operational support.

Controls are not an afterthought. They are the connection point between design intent, installed equipment, system performance, commissioning, and facility operations.

ASI supports planning, coordination, delivery, and commissioning for a broad range of controls and automation systems, including:

BAS architecture, controllers, supervisory devices, field panels, sensors, actuators, valves, dampers, VFD interfaces, equipment integration, graphics, schedules, alarms, trends, setpoints, overrides, user access, reporting, and operator workstations.

Air handling units, rooftop units, DOAS units, VAV boxes, fan coil units, chilled water systems, heating water systems, condenser water systems, boilers, chillers, cooling towers, pumps, fans, heat exchangers, economizers, humidity control, pressure control, and terminal unit sequences.

ASHRAE Guideline 36 provides uniform high-performance HVAC sequences intended to improve energy efficiency, system performance, control stability, and real-time fault detection and diagnostics. That makes it a strong reference point for sequence development, design review, programming review, and commissioning readiness. 

EPMS architecture, meters, submeters, switchgear monitoring, generator monitoring, ATS status, UPS monitoring, power quality data, alarms, trends, dashboards, load profiles, demand monitoring, reporting, and integration with electrical infrastructure.

PLC control panels, I/O architecture, HMI interfaces, SCADA platforms, industrial process systems, utility systems, alarm management, trend data, historian coordination, remote monitoring, and industrial automation interfaces.

Chillers, boilers, pumps, VFDs, air handling units, packaged equipment, generators, ATS equipment, UPS systems, water heaters, packaged controls, OEM controllers, fire alarm interfaces, lighting controls, access control interfaces, and specialty equipment systems.

BACnet, Modbus, LonWorks, MQTT, OPC UA, Ethernet/IP, serial networks, IP networks, field buses, gateways, protocol converters, network segmentation, device addressing, data mapping, and interoperability coordination.

ASHRAE Standard 135 / BACnet defines data communication services and protocols for computer equipment used to monitor and control HVAC&R and other building systems. BACnet remains one of the most important standards for building automation and controls interoperability. 

Controls LANs, OT networks, VLAN coordination, IP addressing, switch coordination, fiber coordination, copper pathways, wireless coordination where applicable, network diagrams, device inventories, firewall coordination, remote access planning, and cybersecurity coordination.

Fault detection and diagnostics, trend analysis, energy analytics, equipment runtime analysis, alarm analysis, performance dashboards, demand optimization, scheduling review, sequence optimization, data validation, and operational reporting.

Digital twins, asset data, equipment tagging, naming standards, point naming conventions, graphics standards, alarm standards, dashboard standards, turnover data, O&M integration, and lifecycle data management.

ASI applies a sequential workflow to controls and automation systems so that design intent, system architecture, programming, integration, commissioning, cybersecurity, and operations are connected early.

Define owner goals, operating requirements, system architecture, equipment interfaces, control strategy, user needs, data needs, cybersecurity expectations, access requirements, graphics standards, alarm philosophy, trending requirements, and integration requirements.

Review controls design intent, sequences of operation, points lists, network architecture, equipment integration requirements, controls diagrams, control panel requirements, device locations, operator interface needs, alarm requirements, data needs, and commissioning requirements.

When sealed design documents are required, ASI coordinates with licensed design professionals and strategic engineering partners.

Coordinate control panel locations, sensor locations, device access, pathways, raceways, control wiring routes, low-voltage coordination, equipment interfaces, network drops, panel clearances, control valve access, damper actuator access, instrumentation locations, and commissioning access points.

Develop controls budgets, integration scopes, vendor coordination plans, procurement strategies, long-lead equipment tracking, control panel schedules, device schedules, sequence review plans, point list reviews, startup planning, commissioning planning, and risk registers.

Coordinate controllers, sensors, actuators, valves, control panels, transformers, power supplies, relays, communication devices, meters, gateways, switches, licenses, software, workstations, graphics packages, submittals, vendor data, lead times, warranty requirements, startup requirements, and owner standards.

Support or coordinate installation of controllers, panels, devices, sensors, actuators, valves, communication networks, control wiring, instrumentation, equipment interfaces, labeling, addressing, raceways, terminations, and network infrastructure.

Coordinate sequence programming, graphics development, point mapping, alarm setup, trend setup, schedules, setpoints, user access, equipment integration, protocol mapping, network addressing, database development, and functional logic review.

Verify controller power, network communication, device status, control panel readiness, point mapping, safeties, interlocks, actuator operation, valve operation, damper operation, VFD communication, equipment interface status, graphics readiness, and pre-functional checklist completion.

Confirm physical device installation, wiring, addressing, calibration, command response, feedback response, alarm response, trend setup, graphics mapping, naming consistency, and point database accuracy.

Support sequence verification, functional performance testing, trend review, alarm verification, integrated systems testing, emergency mode testing, controls optimization, deficiency tracking, owner training, documentation, and turnover.

Support operator training, graphics review, alarm tuning, trend review, analytics, scheduling optimization, seasonal tuning, dashboard development, asset data, cybersecurity coordination, software updates, remote access procedures, and lifecycle support.

Owner requirements, operating needs, integration goals, system architecture, data strategy, user access, cybersecurity expectations, alarm philosophy, graphics standards, trend requirements, and operational requirements.

Sequence review, points list review, controls diagrams, network architecture review, equipment interface review, control panel planning, device location review, commissioning requirements, and design partner coordination.

Control panel locations, sensor locations, device access, control valve access, damper access, cable pathways, raceway coordination, network drops, low-voltage coordination, equipment interfaces, access zones, and record model support.

Controllers, sensors, actuators, valves, panels, power supplies, transformers, relays, gateways, switches, meters, software, licenses, workstations, submittals, lead times, startup requirements, and warranty coordination.

Panels, controllers, field devices, control wiring, communication networks, raceways, terminations, labeling, addressing, equipment interfaces, instrumentation, and field quality control.

Sequences, control logic, graphics, alarms, trends, schedules, setpoints, user access, point mapping, protocol mapping, database development, and integration configuration.

Controller readiness, network communication, device status, safeties, interlocks, actuator checks, valve checks, damper checks, VFD interface checks, equipment interface checks, and deficiency tracking.

Physical point verification, command response, feedback response, calibration, alarm response, trend validation, graphic verification, naming consistency, and database accuracy.

Functional testing, sequence verification, integrated systems testing, trend review, alarm verification, emergency mode testing, performance optimization, documentation, owner training, and turnover.

Operator training, alarm tuning, trend analysis, dashboard development, analytics, cybersecurity coordination, software maintenance, seasonal optimization, modernization, and lifecycle planning.

Controls systems succeed when each layer is clearly planned, coordinated, tested, and maintained.

Sensors, actuators, valves, dampers, meters, switches, relays, safeties, transducers, transmitters, and instrumentation.

DDC controllers, PLCs, equipment controllers, I/O modules, control panels, local logic, safeties, and equipment-level automation.

BACnet, Modbus, Ethernet, serial networks, IP addressing, switches, VLANs, gateways, fiber, copper, network segmentation, and cybersecurity boundaries.

BAS servers, SCADA platforms, EPMS platforms, operator workstations, graphics, alarms, trends, schedules, reports, user permissions, and database management.

OEM equipment interfaces, gateways, protocol conversion, data mapping, system-to-system coordination, fire alarm interfaces, lighting controls, access control interfaces, power monitoring, and operational dashboards.

Fault detection, trend analysis, energy analytics, equipment performance, alarm analysis, predictive maintenance, optimization routines, and lifecycle reporting.

ASI evaluates controls systems through the lens of performance, reliability, usability, cybersecurity, commissioning readiness, and long-term operations.

Key priorities include:

• Clear sequences of operation 
• Accurate points lists 
• Reliable device communication 
• Stable control loops 
• Proper sensor placement 
• Proper actuator and valve operation 
• Network reliability 
• Alarm clarity 
• Trend data quality 
• Graphics usability 
• Operator visibility 
• Cybersecurity coordination 
• Equipment integration 
• Point-to-point verification 
• Commissioning readiness 
• Fault detection capability 
• Energy optimization 
• Maintainability 
• Documentation quality 
• Long-term operational support

Controls and automation systems should be planned, coordinated, programmed, tested, commissioned, secured, and operated in alignment with applicable project requirements, adopted codes, owner standards, manufacturer instructions, IT/OT requirements, authority having jurisdiction requirements, cybersecurity requirements, and licensed design professional direction.

Relevant industry references may include ASHRAE Guideline 36 for high-performance HVAC sequences, ASHRAE Standard 135 / BACnet for building automation communication, NIST SP 800-82 for operational technology security guidance, ISA/IEC 62443 for industrial automation and control system cybersecurity practices, project specifications, owner standards, and manufacturer requirements. NIST SP 800-82 Rev. 3 provides guidance for securing operational technology while addressing OT performance, reliability, and safety requirements; ISA describes ISA/IEC 62443 as standards defining requirements and processes for implementing and maintaining secure industrial automation and control systems. 

Final requirements depend on project scope, jurisdiction, facility type, owner standards, contract documents, network requirements, equipment platforms, and licensed design professional direction.

ASI’s role is to help align the owner, design team, controls contractor, mechanical contractor, electrical contractor, IT team, OT team, commissioning team, manufacturers, and facility operators so that controls systems are coordinated, secure, testable, usable, and ready to perform.

Controls and automation systems interact with nearly every major system in a facility.

ASI helps coordinate controls interfaces with:

• Mechanical systems 
• Hydronic systems 
• Plumbing equipment 
• Electrical systems 
• Emergency power systems 
• Fire/life safety systems 
• Lighting controls 
• Communications networks 
• Security systems 
• Access control systems 
• Data rooms and server rooms 
• Industrial process systems 
• Utility systems 
• BAS, EPMS, PLC, and SCADA platforms 
• Facility operations teams 

The goal is to ensure that system status, commands, alarms, safeties, interlocks, trends, dashboards, emergency modes, and owner turnover are coordinated before the project reaches startup.

Controls systems are not complete when devices are installed or software is loaded. They must be verified, tuned, trended, commissioned, documented, and understood by the operations team.

ASI supports controls commissioning readiness through sequence review, points list review, point-to-point verification, device checkout, trend setup, alarm verification, graphics review, functional performance testing, integrated systems testing, seasonal testing, deficiency tracking, documentation review, operator training, and turnover support.

A strong controls commissioning process helps reduce callbacks, improve energy performance, support operator confidence, and verify that systems perform as intended.

Controls and automation systems succeed when planning, design support, installation, programming, integration, commissioning, cybersecurity, and operations are connected early. ASI helps bridge those gaps through practical field experience, BIM/VDC workflows, preconstruction planning, integration coordination, commissioning readiness, and lifecycle support.

The result: controls systems that are coordinated, connected, secure, testable, operator-friendly, and ready to perform.