Are you thinking about installing an Integrated Communications Network in your new building or refurbishing your existing building? An Integrated Communications Network (ICN) transforms the way a building operates by combining the existing systems into an effective single network, introducing efficiencies and extra security as well as simply making the building easier to use.
In a series of articles, we’ll take you through the functions of an ICN and the benefits of a smart building. Let’s start at the beginning: what is an integrated communications network?
What Is An ICN?
An ICN is often called a building services network and increasingly, a smart building network. The terms are interchangeable on the whole.
The purpose of an ICN is to simplify all the building’s systems into one clear and intuitive platform. Most buildings, from office blocks, hotels to hospitals, have a variety of systems running in parallel, such as fire safety and security. Alongside this is the increasing dependence on smart devices, from mobile phones to remote heating controls.
The result of this piecemeal approach? A network of interrelated systems running separately, a confusing mix of interfaces, and a lost opportunity to be more efficient.
By integrating all the services into one network, you have a building where everything works as a seamless whole. A well-designed smart building network will even give you insights into how your building performs, enabling you to actively manage the systems.
What Does An ICN Do?
An Integrated Communications Network will streamline all of the building’s infrastructure into a single, easy-to-manage network. For example, rather than having separate security, fire safety and HVAC running on separate infrastructure, they can be managed together.
A system or a network in a building seldom works on its own. The ICN is the logical “tidying up” of the building’s services, bringing together everything that has a theoretical but not actual connection.
As well as this, an ICN will manage the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT). As we increasingly use smart devices to manage everything from emails to hot water, a scalable ICN enables these IoT devices to become part of the total network: easier and safer to manage.
What Common Mistakes Are Made When Installing An ICN?
There are three common mistakes that are made when installing an ICN. Luckily, these can be resolved at the planning stage. As with any successful networking system, many potential issues can be avoided with robust project planning, sticking to the critical path and engaging the right expertise.
Common mistake 1: Installing the network towards the end of the project. This is a common error. Just because an ICN has less in the way of a physical infrastructure than conventional systems, it doesn’t mean it can be an add-on. The network equipment needs to be established before the electrical work.
This isn’t to say that an ICN can't be retrofitted, because it can (and we do this regularly). However, for a new build or refit, getting the network in first will save time and money, and essentially, help to prevent future integration problems.
Common mistake 2: Not having an independent ICN contractor. OK, we have to declare an interest here, but we promise you, this isn’t the hard sell. Every facet of a building project has its own expert team leader, feeding into the main contractor. You wouldn’t expect the first-fix plumbing to be carried out by a different trade, and the same is true for the ICN. Engage an independent expert to design, install and commission the ICN for you.
Also, it’s important that this contractor reports directly to the builder to limit delays and potential issues.
Common mistake 3: Not engaging the right person to be your ICN contractor. The Master Systems Integrator (MSI) role needs expertise in smart building services along with a robust appreciation of all the other areas that feed into the network (such as HVAC or Security Systems). It’s a complex role, which also requires top diplomatic skills as it works across most specialisms.
What Equipment Is Used In An ICN?
The equipment used depends upon the building, its size and its function(s). The typical smart building will have a combination of passive structured cabling and active network hardware. Usually, the building has a number of IoT devices along with Wi-Fi, servers and switches.
To give you an example, here’s a building that Emerging IT worked with in 2019. The five-storey office building needed a secure network platform for all services, with minimal cabling and exceptional security (the building was occupied by a Government department). The equipment needed to meet the brief for their secure smart building included:
- Twelve layer 2 stackable edge switches
- Two core switches
- Two NextGen Firewalls
- Eleven servers, each hosting a building service
- Sixteen racks with PDUs and UPSs
A hotel will have a similar structure, with the addition of wireless access points. This can be as many as 500 for a medium-sized city hotel.
How Much Does An ICN Cost?
This depends on the building and it’s individual needs. Most buildings have similar requirements when it comes to their smart building infrastructure, but the scale can be dramatically different as can the HVAC, fire system and Wi-Fi needs (boutique guesthouse vs global hotel chain and retail precinct vs hospital).
This is why we always work out our costings in collaboration with the ICN engineers and other design contractors, to make sure that our clients get the right ICN at the right price. Quoting for an ICN is not a finger-in-the-air job and we always want to give the most accurate costing possible.
Is the cost worth it? We’ll look at the benefits of a smart building network in another article; however, we can say (spoiler alert) that savings through everyday energy efficiency and reliable maintenance reporting are big advantages of an ICN.
How Do I Find Out About An ICN?
If you’re a commercial builder with a client that would benefit from a smart building network, talk to us at Emerging IT. We can match our technological expertise with the building’s requirements.