A common framework for integrated building systems would make it easier
to explain the approach and its value proposition to building owners, develo-
pers and architects. A framework could move the discussion to a common
understanding. Clients would be better informed and designers and contrac-
tors may better understand what each is asking of the other. What follows
are the methods and a framework for the integration of building technology
systems.
Methods of Integration
System integration has different levels, different scopes of what is being
integrated and different methods for how integration occurs. Not all integra-
tion is equal; that is, providing the same advantages and functionality. Integra-
tion can occur at physical, network, and application levels. Proprietary
systems from a manufacturer may be integrated but not provide the flexibility
and advantages of open systems. The following sections describe examples of
system-integration methods and their attributes.
Hard-Wired
The most basic and oldest form of system integration is “hard-wired integra-
tion.” A typical situation is two standalone building systems physically
connected via an electrical “dry-contact” RS-232 or RS-422 connection. An
example may be a fire alarm system connected to the HVAC control system
or an access control system for secondary alarm annunciation and monitoring.
These systems do not share any data but are simply connected to signal “off”
and “on” conditions.
Proprietary/Bundled/Packaged Integration
This sounds like an oxymoron but a proprietary integration means that you
use systems from one manufacturer that have been designed to work with each
other. The downside to this approach is significant: The building owner is
locked in to a single manufacturer for a complete system life cycle, there is
no or little competition in procuring additional equipment and services, the
building owner could be missing out on advances by other manufacturers,
and no single manufacturer has the full suite of building technology systems.
Some of the best examples of these “packaged” systems are in the residential
180 Smart Building Systems for Architects, Owners, and Builders