> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.kodelabs.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Areas
> Define and manage the spatial zones in your building, including floors, zones, and rooms, with interactive floor plan views.
Areas is a building-level module. Select a building from the [sites list](/products/kode-os/sites-and-map) to access its areas and floor plans.
Areas define the physical layout of a building in Cloud BMS. They represent spatial zones such as floors, wings, zones, and rooms, organized in a hierarchical structure from the site level down to individual spaces. Areas are the foundation for floor plan views, spatial filtering, and location-based monitoring.
## Area hierarchy
Areas follow a top-down structure:
```mermaid actions={false} theme={"theme":{"light":"github-dark","dark":"github-dark"}}
---
config:
theme: neutral
---
flowchart LR
SITE[Site / Building] -- "divided into" --> F1[Floor 1]
SITE -- "divided into" --> F2[Floor 2]
F1 -- "subdivided into" --> Z1[Zone A]
F1 -- "subdivided into" --> Z2[Zone B]
Z1 -- "contains" --> R1[Room 101]
Z1 -- "contains" --> R2[Room 102]
classDef sky stroke:#374D7C,fill:#E2EBFF,color:#374D7C
classDef peach stroke:#FBB35A,fill:#FFEFDB,color:#8F632D
classDef green fill:#B0E4CC,color:#285A48,stroke:#285A48
class SITE sky
class F1,F2 peach
class Z1,Z2,R1,R2 green
```
* **Site** is the top level, representing the entire building
* **Floor** divides the building into vertical levels
* **Zone/Room** subdivides floors into specific spaces
Devices and data sources are assigned to areas, enabling you to filter dashboards, reports, and floor plans by physical location.
## Access areas
Click `Areas` in the left sidebar menu from your building view. Select a floor from the area list on the left to display its floor plan with device overlays and live data.
### Floor plan navigation
The floor plan widget displays devices on a spatial layout. Use the layer tabs (`Devices`, `Temperature`, `Occupancy`, and others) to switch between device categories.
Use the following controls to navigate the floor plan:
* **Pan** by holding the left mouse button and dragging
* **Zoom** using the `+` and `-` buttons in the lower right corner
* **Reset view** by clicking the four outward arrows icon
* **Smart Markers** toggle to enable or disable smart marker display
* **Legend** toggle to show or hide the icon legend with value ranges
### Interact with devices on the floor plan
Hover over a device marker on the floor plan to expand its point values. Writable points display an edit icon next to the value.
Click the edit icon next to a writable point to open the command panel. The panel displays the device's variables on the left and the action form on the right.
* **Priority** -- select the command priority level (for example, `Override`)
* **Value** -- set the target value. Use `+` and `-` to adjust.
* **Duration** -- specify how long the command remains active. Check `Permanent` for an indefinite override.
* **Reason** -- select a predefined reason from the dropdown
* **Specific Reason** -- enter a custom reason for the change
* Click `Save Changes` to send the command, or `Close` to cancel
Click `Activity Log` in the upper right corner of the panel to view the command history for the selected point.
### Command actions and priority levels
Cloud BMS uses a BACnet-inspired priority model for writable points. The same command dialog appears for BACnet and non-BACnet integrations, such as REST API thermostats. How each action maps on the device depends on the connector.
BACnet points that accept commands have **16 priority levels** (1 is highest, 16 is lowest). When every level is empty (`null`), the point uses a **fallback / default** value (`Relinquish_Default` in BACnet). That fallback is **not** a 17th BACnet priority. Some interfaces label it as level 17 for display only.
`Override` and `Set` turn different knobs under the hood, even when the visible value looks the same.
| Action | What it writes\* | Description |
| ---------- | -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `Override` | Priority 8\* | Temporary exception in the priority array. Takes precedence over lower-priority automation. |
| `Set` | Fallback / default\* | Changes the fallback or default value. |
| `Auto` | — | Clears an `Override` |
| `Release` | — | Clears a `Set` |
\*Typical for most BACnet and Niagara deployments. Connectors and site standards can differ.
`Override`, `Auto`, and `Set` borrow Niagara-style action names. `Release` is a Cloud BMS action that clears a `Set`.
In Niagara-style control, `Set` keeps a non-null fallback so sequences and logic keep a reliable baseline. Use the priority array (including `Override`) for programmed automation and temporary exceptions.
To make `Set` write to priority 16 instead of the fallback or default, enable **`Set in Slot16`** (Niagara) on the point. Configure that option from [device details](/products/kode-os/devices/devices#view-and-edit-points), [device templates](/products/kode-os/devices/device-templates), or [points batch update](/products/kode-os/points/points-batch-update).
### Area events
Select the active events icon on the floor plan to view fault detection events specific to that area. This filtered view shows only the events related to devices in the selected floor or zone.
### Add a dashboard to an area
When you select an area that has no dashboard configured, the view displays a "No Dashboard Added Yet" message with an option to create one.
Click `+ Add Dashboard` to open the creation dialog.
Enter a name for the dashboard (for example, `Floor 03`).
Provide a brief description of the dashboard's purpose.
Select which user roles can view this dashboard. If no role is selected, all roles have access.
## Add a BIM model to an area
Cloud BMS supports 3D BIM models on area dashboards. [Add a BIM file](/products/kode-os/settings#add-a-bim-file) in building settings first, then add a **BIM Model** widget to the area and place device points on the 3D floor plan.
### Add the BIM Model widget
Open `Areas` and select an area (for example, **Floor 06**). On the area dashboard, select the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner and choose `Add Widgets`.
In the **Add Widget** dialog, select `BIM Model` and click `Add`.
The **BIM Model Configurator** opens on the **Card Details** step. Enter a **Card Name**, select the **3D Model File** you uploaded in building settings, and optionally add a **Description**. Click `Next`.
Name for the BIM widget as it appears on the area dashboard.
The BIM file uploaded on the building **Files** tab in Settings.
Optional text describing the 3D floor plan widget.
On the **Model labels** step, use the **Devices** or **Floors** tab in the left sidebar to find items. Drag and drop device points onto the 3D floor plan. Use the viewer toolbar to orbit, pan, zoom, and inspect the model. Click `Save` when placement is complete.
### View the 3D floor plan
After you save the widget, the area dashboard shows an **Overview** tab and a **3D Floor Plan** tab. Open **3D Floor Plan** to view the BIM model with placed device markers and layer controls.
The BIM widget displays the configured card name, the 3D model, and device point markers you placed during setup.
Use the widget three-dot menu to edit, share, copy, or delete the BIM widget, similar to other area dashboard widgets.
### Add a graphic widget to an area
You can add a graphic widget to an area dashboard to embed a floor plan graphic directly on the area page.
Click the three-dot menu in the upper right corner of the area view and select `Add Widgets`.
In the Add Widget dialog, select `Graphic` and click `Add`.
Select an existing graphic from the list, or click `Create new graphic` to build one from scratch. Click `Next` to add it to the dashboard.
Once the graphic is added, the area dashboard displays the floor plan with device markers and layer tabs. Click the three-dot menu on the dashboard widget to access additional options.
* **Edit** -- open the graphic in the [Graphic Tool](/products/kode-os/graphics/graphic-tool) to modify markers, layers, or overlays
* **Share** -- generate a shareable link to the dashboard
* **Copy to** -- copy the widget to another area's dashboard
* **Delete** -- remove the widget from the dashboard
## Manage areas
Click `Areas` in the left sidebar to view the areas list. The list shows each area's name and device count.
### Add areas
Click `+ Add Area` to open the Add Areas dialog. Enter a name for each area. Click `+ Add Row` to add additional areas, or click `Add Multiple Rows` to add several at once.
### Edit and delete individual areas
Hover over an area row and click the three-dot menu to access `Edit` or `Delete` for that area.
### Delete areas in bulk
Click `Batch Update` to enter selection mode. Select the areas you want to remove, then click `Delete Area(s)` in the lower right corner.
Deleting an area removes the spatial assignment for all devices in that area. Devices are not deleted, but they lose their area association. Reassign them to a new area after deletion.
### Reorder areas
Click the three-dot menu next to `+ Add Area` and select `Reorder Areas`. Drag and drop the areas into the desired order, then click `Save`.
## Assign devices to areas
Devices are assigned to areas during initial discovery or through the [device details](/products/kode-os/devices/devices) page. To reassign a device to a different area:
* Open the device's details page and edit the `Area` field
* Use the [device batch update](/products/kode-os/devices/device-batch-update) feature to reassign multiple devices at once
## Next steps
Upload BIM model files on the building Files tab before adding them to areas.
Create 2D floor plan graphics in the Graphic Tool and embed them on area dashboards.
View devices organized by functional system rather than physical location.