BioWall Control and Monitoring
The BioWall controller is the unit that includes includes circuitry and communication devices that monitor and control the BioWall. Several controller models are available to suit your project. BioWall controllers come standard with remote control and monitoring, vital for ensuring long-term success of your living wall.
Controller Models
Standard models are below, and custom models are available for larger, complex, or unusual projects.
Standard Wall-Mounted BioWall Controller (Model 3048)
The Standard Wall-Mounted BioWall Controller is housed in a gray, powder-coated steel cabinet, designed to be bolted or screwed to stud-backed wall, plywood faced wall, or masonry wall, such as the wall of mechanical room.
- See required clearances (in yellow) in drawings above.
- Maintain at least 36 inches standing/kneeling space outside cabinet door.
- Allow at least 8 inches clearance left, right, and above cabinet.
- Up to 70 feet below the BioWall irrigation header
- Consult Furbish regarding allowable project-specific horizontal distances between controller and vegetated panels.
- Bolt cabinet to wall.
- Up to two (2) irrigation zones in open-loop configuration or one (1) zone in closed-loop configuration (very few BioWalls have more than one zone)
- 2.5 gallon nutrient reservoir, capable to fertilizing a 500 SF BioWall with 1 month between nutrient refills.
- To be provided by others; usually required by plumbing code.
- May be located next to, above, or below cabinet (not inside cabinet) as long as backflow preventer does not encroach upon controller’s clearances, and as long as backflow preventer’s drainage connection is shielded from controller’s electronics.
- May be sited anywhere upstream of controller.
- Maintain above 50 degrees F.
Utility Connections At Controller (Same For All Models)
During design and / or shop drawings, we coordinate with electrical and plumbing trades to determine the exact location of each controller’s utility connections.
Water:
- Terminate domestic water at controller via gate valve and 1/2-inch female NPT fitting.
- Isolate from potable water via a local backflow preventer (by others) per local plumbing code.
- Install a water hammer arrestor downstream of the backflow preventer.
- Pressure should be 40-80 psi (normal building pressure) as measured at termination.
- Softened water should not be used due to high salinity.
Electrical:
- 120V, 15 amp (20 amp preferred)
- Dedicated GFIC circuit preferred.
- Terminate in a junction box near controller.
Internet:
- Internet connection to allow controller to share data with our secure cloud-hosted monitoring and control platform.
- Terminate at Cat-5 jack near controller.
Interconnections Between Controller and Vegetated Panels
These are the few utility connections between the controller and vegetated panels.
- 1/2-inch PVC or PEX
- Furbish must approve of overall length and number of bends.
Low Voltage Conduit:
- 1-inch, standard electrical conduit with pullstring
- 1/2-inch PVC or PEX with wet trough
- 1-inch PVC or PEX with dry trough and storage tank
Utility Connections At Vegetated Panels
- Strongly preferred, but contact us if not possible.
- Minimum 1″ diameter or per local plumbing code, terminated with a 3-inch floor drain fitting immediately below the trough.
- If using a prefabricated trough (e.g. stainless steel), locate one drain at least every 20 feet along the face of wall, centered approximately 6 inches from the back of wall.
- See details for stub-outs at BioWall panels.
Remote Control and Monitoring
BioWall controllers come standard with a robust remote monitoring and remote control system to ensure ongoing BioWall health.
Remote Monitoring
Sensors measure nutrient levels, monitor operating pressure, track filter utilization, measure water levels, and other important parameters. We and our clients can observe conditions via secure cloud-based portal, and we are alerted of power outages or other conditions that could cause the living wall to fall outside parameters.
Remote Control
All critical BioWall settings, including pump cycles, nutrient dosing, and water exchanges can be remotely controlled via our secure online portal. Remote control allows for faster response time and more economical long-term management of the living wall. BioWall controllers are compatible with most building information systems.
Less Common Controller Accessories
Expanded Nutrient Reservoir (Not Common)
Typically only walls larger than 1,000 SF require an expanded nutrient reservoir external to the standard controller housing. Each controller model includes a nutrient reservoir, capable of supplying a 500 or 1,000 SF wall for a month (see controller model ratings).
If required, locate next to or below the controller. Shape and size varies per project.
Water Storage Tank (Not Common)
Only closed loop configurations with a dry trough require a water storage tank.
The tank is typically polyethylene; shape and size will vary per project. If required, locate below or next to the controller with space to connect flexible tubing runs, sited to receive gravitational flow from the irrigation return line, and near a floor drain or gravitationally piped with 1.25-inch schedule 40 PVC from high water elevation to floor drain. Coordinate height and size of water storage tank with elevation of irrigation return termination and location of plumbing cabinet. Allow 18 inches of working space around the perimeter of the tank, and ensure no obstructions above the tank location to 7.5 feet above floor level.