“Network infrastructure for the building is going to be a new utility”, says Byron Thom, vice-president of Systems at, Vancouver based, Optigo Networks. It is a view shared by many in the industry as we move into an age of widespread intelligence in buildings. By developing the infrastructure for information to flow like power and water, we can bring about efficiencies and benefits throughout the building and beyond. Construction companies should understand the proliferation of Building Automation and expand on the concept of Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) to include IT networks as a utility. “Just as you provide water, power and ducting to a building, buildings of the future or smart buildings are going to require this building utility, which is communication within the building to allow all of the sensors and actuators to interconnect and function properly”, says Thom. By deploying sensors and connected devices throughout a building we can optimise energy usage, […]