Convergence of building infrastructure systems

Richard Hipkiss, Marketing Manager of Schneider Electric discusses the advantages in enabling the convergence of building infrastructure systems.

The advantages in enabling the convergence of building infrastructure systems are clear.

Integrating lighting, heating, security, safety, IT and telecoms services within a single installation saves time and costs but also potentially brings about system improvements.

Yet, the decision to take this approach is often deferred until such time that the full advantage is lost.

I would concede that the technical considerations in taking an holistic approach to building services are complicated.

Indeed, there is a very real need for specialist expertise in designing and planning convergent infrastructure systems.

This is also true of the construction of a building's interior and exterior fabric that have equally complicated architectural and engineering issues.

But, decisions about the building fabric are taken at a very early stage in most building projects.

It remains a fact that the first and second fixes in most buildings are subject to all sorts of compromise.

It is still commonplace for power and lighting cabling to be pulled first, followed by security and safety cabling, then ultimately data and voice networks.

A rationalised system design can save cabling and installation costs by sharing networks, while fixing all cables at once simplifies installation and speeds up the first fix.

A further benefit of such joined up thinking is the ability to improve both system flexibility and gain greater intelligence within the building.

In short, while the design of convergent, intelligent building systems is challenging, the decision to opt for it is simple.

I therefore call upon key decision makers to consider building services design at the same early stage as the architectural plans for the fabric are agreed.

Back to top