Chapter 16 - Network Integration

Abstract

This chapter deals with methods for building integration systems and presents a framework for integrated building systems in smart buildings. Integrated building systems can truly save capital and operating building costs and have taken on a prominent role in green buildings. There are different ways to “integrate” building systems, different concepts of what integration is, and a few misperceptions regarding integration. System integration has different levels, different scopes of what is being integrated and different methods for how integration occurs. Not all integration is equal; that is, providing the same advantages and functionality. Integration can occur at physical, network, and application levels. System integration means bringing the building systems together both physically and functionally. Physically refers to the cabling, equipment space and infrastructure support. It also touches on the common use of open protocols by the systems. Functionally systems integration addresses the capability of multiple systems to interoperate and thus provide functionality that cannot be provided by any one system. Successful installation of integrated building systems include understanding business objectives of the building owner, participation from early phase, clearly defining roles of project designers, identification of systems to be involved in the effort, identification of the common elements of the systems that are necessary for integration, estimation of costs, following and adhering to overall project schedule, and management of systems.