
BBC Buildings A, B, & CKNX Solution Provided
System Components
Features
In 2007 the BBC decided Salford Quays would be their new home for the big move out of London. Whilst the BBC will be key tenants, MediaCityUK will create seven million sq ft of new and refurbished floor space for business, retail and residential property, and employment for over 15,000 people. MediaCityUK will be the new home of five London-based BBC departments, including two television channels and two national radio networks: BBC Children's (including CBBC and CBeebies television and radio); BBC Formal Learning; parts of BBC Future Media & Technology; BBC Radio Five Live (including Five Live Sports Extra); and BBC Sport.
A new network of tightly knit streets, squares and boulevards will cascade down into a huge waterfront piazza in an area which has stood empty for so many years.
MediaCityUK is being developed by a partnership of the Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company, Peel Holdings and Salford City Council.
Early on Peel Holdings decided to use an IP backbone for the KNX system and to use wide area network for the communication over long distances. This combination allows a reliable KNX network throughout.
A category 6 IP network which offers double redundancy and additional backup strategies for a reliable and secure network was installed for all three BBC office buildings. In addition the entire system was split up into so-called "IP worlds" and each world connects a certain number of KNX lines. This project includes a total of 60 KNX IP gateways which are connected to more than 150 lines, this prevents an overload on the bus and offers 20% extra capacity for future expansion. All the KNX components were delivered on pre-wired control panels for rational installation.
One of Peel Holdings demands was the monitoring and operating of all sub systems from a single head end for each of the three buildings, ultimately it is envisaged that all three buildings will be connected via a fibre backbone to a single management system, this will be achieved via an OPC server (process control software for window based automation systems).
The most economic solution for the lighting control system was the implementation of Dali (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) standard for the digital lighting fixture network technology.50 Dali ballasts are connected to a single KNX-Dali gateway. They get dimmed and switched through light sensors, occupancy sensors and the management system. The light fittings report defects to the management system for rational maintenance. All emergency lights are also integrated into the KNX-Dali network which allows for automated testing and reporting.
Download: MediaCityUK