Integrated building systems are about to unlock enormous potential for growth. Understanding these systems is the first step towards benefiting from this rising new technology.
Integration has long been an elusive dream for building designers and architects. The vision is that of a common user interface through which safety and security, management, engineering and physical plant can all exercise control over their spheres of influence by means of shared resources. It is to establish a focal point for all that goes on in a building, from access, to security, to fire alarm communications and it is to set out common mechanisms for detecting when things go wrong and for addressing issues before they pose a risk to people or property.
Integration defies reasonable description unless it is viewed as a whole. It is the combination of fire, security, access control and CCTV functions in a seamless system that uses common hardware and software, shared power supplies and batteries, cabling and off-premises communications. It allows events from one function to trigger outputs and control devices of other functions by means of those shared resources.
Integration holds the promise of many advantages for building owners and designers. Together, these advantages have the potential to dramatically lower system costs, increase communication speed and boost overall system efficiency. Integration reduces wiring complexity, cuts installation time and lowers equipment costs. It allows for easy system expansion without the prospect of pulling new wires or mounting additional cabinets. Integration also increases the range of system interactions possible.
For example, in the event of a fire, access-controlled doors are unlocked. While this is not an uncommon routine among building control systems today, a truly integrated system can accomplish this task without the need for any additional relays or wiring. This is an important distinction that sets true integration apart from other 'integrated' systems.
Sharing resources bring cost benefits
Many companies that offer integrated solutions are actually interfacing their equipment. This means that a central computer is connected to independent fire, security and access control systems. While this approach provides some of the control features found in integrated systems, it delivers none of the cost advantages derived from the sharing of resources because each system remains separate and distinct.
Interfaced systems require the installation of separate wiring, cabinets, power supplies and batteries for each of the functions. This makes the system more complex and increases requirements for troubleshooting, training and maintenance. With an integrated system, on the other hand, there is one common user interface to interact with, far fewer components and much less wiring. This greatly increases overall system reliability.
In an interfaced system, if the central computer fails, life safety, security and access control lose interoperability and functions. Since access-controlled doors must unlock in an emergency, supervised relays connected to the fire system are required at each door, increasing material and labour costs for interfaced systems. Truly integrated systems based on peer-to-peer networking have built-in redundancy, designed to maximise functionality in the event of a catastrophic failure.
Listing requirements easily addressed
A truly integrated system has the potential to deliver enormous benefits to end-users and building owners and life safety is the logical host for such a system.
For further information contact Progressive Systems Technologies, (011) 285 0056, e-mail: [email protected]
Integration myths and facts
Myth: Integration is no more than the common control of several building systems.
Fact: True integration provides common control, as well as the opportunity to significantly cut costs and boost reliability through the sharing of resources such as processing capability, power suppliers, wiring and communications components.
Myth: You cannot mix fire and security.
Fact: Fire and security devices can be combined if the failure of the security component does not affect the fire alarm function. To ensure total compatibility, virtually all EST3 integrated system components will be listed to the UL864 fire alarm standard in addition to the required UL security standards.
Myth: There are lots of integrated systems already on the market.
Fact: Competitors claim to have integrated systems, but in fact, these are separate (sometimes supplied by third parties) interfaced together to give the illusion of true integration.
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