Instructions
The new building wizard can be accessed by the plus icon on the Data tab buildings grid, or by the Add Site/Building button on the Tools menu.
Step 1. Search
When a partial name or address is entered, a list of potential matches will appear in the dropdown within proximity of the defined map area. The building can be geolocated on the map. Additional proximity details can be gathered through this method.
Step 2. Location
The building name and address must be confirmed by the user. The map marker can be dragged to an exact location if necessary.
If the building is a standalone structure that does not share meters with any other buildings, it should be created within a new site.
Step 3. Building Type
Building type should be selected based of the primary usage. Typical space asset allocations will be defaulted, but those spaces and allocation amounts can be completely customized in the Building Editor, including support for multi-type buildings.
If a site consumes energy or water but does not contain any physical building structures, it should be marked as a non-building.
Step 4. Square Footage
After an address is geolocated, B3 automatically searches public property records to gather as many published details as possible. Square footage is frequently available through these channels. If public details cannot be gathered, but square footage is known, simply enter it into the textbox.
If the square footage is not known, the area calculator can be used to measure the gross square footage on the map. This tool is used by the user clicking each corner, drawing the outline of the building. This will generate an estimate of square footage for the building. The user can also enter the number of floors if applicable. The Floors entry allows decimals if only part of the building is multilevel.
Step 5. Operations
Next, specify operational details about the building, including original occupancy date, schedules, occupants and conditioning. The operational details will be applied to the building as a whole in this step but can be customized down to the space asset allocation level in the Building Editor.
Step 6. Meters
Multiple meter source types can be added with the quantity textbox, if multiple of the same type are present.
Step 7. Meter Options
Details should be specified about each of the meters being created. The user can determine which units of measurement are being reported. Connection date determines when the meter's reports were started. Frequency can be customized to show within different time frames. The user can decide if the reports will show every 5 minutes, all the way up to annually.
Step 8. Confirmation
Finally, a confirmation panel will appear summarizing the building details and meters to be created. Check the Building Editor checkbox if you would like to refine those details immediately after creation.