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TIA Opens Task Group for the Next Intelligent Building Systems Cabling Standard

ARLINGTON, VA (July 17, 2012) - The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech communications networks, today announced that its TR-42.1 subcommittee on Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling has opened a task group to revise TIA-862-A Building Automation System (BAS) Cabling Standard, which was published in April 2011.  The task group will evaluate and incorporate Intelligent Building Systems (IBS) technologies, which can improve building operation efficiency for Information Communications Technologies (ICT) providers and consumers, and play an important role in environmental and sustainable initiatives such as the Sustainable Technology Environments Program (STEP) rating system.  The new revision will be titled “Intelligent Building Systems Cabling Standard.”

Julie Roy, Commscope, Chair of the TR-42.1 TIA-862-B Task Group stated, “For a building to be truly ‘green,’ it needs technologies that will enable sustainability today and in the future, and this is where IT technologies come into play. Intelligent building systems and the supporting infrastructure can be deployed for critical efficiency gains as well as enhancing a LEED-rated construction with STEP rating certification.“

Individuals who are interested in joining the Intelligent Building Systems Cabling Standard task group or interested in learning more about TIA’s standardization program should contact Marianna Kramarikova at standards@tiaonline.org.

Building automation encompasses control systems such as security and monitoring (i.e. closed circuit television or CCTV); safety systems such as fire alarms; environmental conditioning systems such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); and energy management systems such as internal and external lighting. The first edition ANSI/TIA/EIA-862 Standard specified generic cabling topology, architecture, design, installation practices, test procedures, and coverage areas to support building automation systems (BAS), an earlier term for Intelligent Building Systems.

Since providers of these systems had historically specified proprietary equipment, cables, interface connections, and topology, the current Standard offers the distinct advantage of being able to support multi-product and multi-vendor environments using one generic structured cabling system.  It is important to note that other “low voltage systems” (e.g., audio/video paging, service/equipment alarms, non-voice/data communications, wireless access points) are also supported by the telecommunications cabling infrastructure requirements of this Standard.

Building automation systems are known to include a collection of sensors that determine the condition or status of parameters to be controlled, such as temperature, relative humidity, and pressure. Similarly, output devices impart electronic signals or physical action to the control devices, which may be electric relays or damper and valve actuators. The sensors and output devices are connected either to a unitary controller or to a distributed processor.

Some controllers are limited to the needs of an intended function and, thus, have limited capabilities, such as not being able to communicate with an IP network and monitoring system. This is where intelligent building technology standards come into play.  The integration of multiple systems (HVAC, the lighting, the cameras, the access control, etc.) into a single IP network allows easy monitoring and control.   The project to revise TIA-862-A will clarify for the industry that BAS is an integral part, along with other systems, of intelligent building systems.  It will also allow the subcommittee to expand the scope of the standard to support new initiatives such as Safety and Security, machine-to-machine (M2M), energy efficiency systems, monitoring and others.

TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Read ANSI's report, "Standards Boost Business" at standardsboostbusiness.org/

About TIA

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents manufacturers and suppliers of global communications networks through standards development, policy and advocacy, business opportunities, market intelligence, and events and networking. TIA enhances the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members' products and services empower communications in every industry and market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, government, the military, the environment, and entertainment. Visit tiaonline.org for more details.

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