Smart Building Standards and Codes You Need to Know

Conventional buildings use up to 34% more energy than their smart-building counterparts, Deloitte uncovered in a recent sustainability report. Why is there such a drastic difference between “typical” and “intelligent”?

Conventional buildings run on manual controls (someone has to turn systems on and off) and isolated systems (the HVAC system runs when it’s on, regardless of indoor conditions). This can lead to inefficiency and discomfort.

Smart buildings incorporate automated controls and integrated systems. For example, thermal sensors can detect conditions in specific areas (a small and crowded conference room with the door shut, an open office with high ceilings, etc.) and use that data to adjust heating, cooling, humidity, airflow, and ventilation appropriately.

In a smart building, network and cabling infrastructure act as the foundation for automated and integrated systems, giving them a way to communicate.

To address the needs and challenges of these environments, smart building standards were developed. They offer guidance and best practices when it comes to cable installation parameters, reducing downtime, ensuring safety, making sure systems and devices can communicate, and ensuring that infrastructure accommodates evolving technology.

Several industry organizations develop voluntary standards for planning and installing smart building infrastructure:

• TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association), which develops standards to enable high-speed networks and accelerate next-generation information and communications technology (ICT) innovation
  
  
• BICSI, which creates standards and guidelines for use in the design, installation, and integration of information and communications technology
  
  
• ISO/IEC (International Organization for Standardization [ISO] and International Electrotechnical Committee [IEC]), which form worldwide specialized systems standards
  
  
• IEEE, which is a consensus-building organization that nurtures, develops, and advances global technologies, such as Power over Ethernet (PoE)
  
  

Although the smart building standards developed by these organizations complement one another, each serves a distinct purpose.

ANSI/TIA-862: Structured Cabling Infrastructure Standard for Intelligent Building Systems

This standard ensures smart building systems can support modern communication needs (wireless connectivity and building management systems, for example). It specifies cabling system layout and structure for IP-based systems, outlines installation best practices to ensure reliability, and recommends media for smart building systems.

TIA TSB-184: Guidelines for Supporting Power Delivery Over Balanced Twisted-Pair Cabling

Smart building systems often rely on remote power for centralized control and monitoring of energy usage, as well as easy integration and scalability of smart systems. Following TSB-184 guidelines allows remote power delivery via a Category cable without sacrificing performance or functionality. It offers recommendations about twisted-pair cable that can support and supply DC power and carry data to networked devices in new and retrofit situations. It also makes recommendations about managing cable temperature rise and operating temperatures.

ANSI/TIA-569: Telecommunications Pathways and Spaces

Like a traditional building, smart buildings require pathways and spaces to protect, route, manage, and support cable media and equipment. This standard helps ensure organized and scalable cabling systems that are secure and easy to access, maintain, and upgrade.

ANSI/BICSI 007: Information Communication Technology Design and Implementation Practices for Intelligent Buildings and Premises

Complementing ANSI/TIA-862, this smart building standard provides guidance on designing and implementing ICT infrastructure for the network-enabled building systems that make up a smart building. It provides guidance on specific systems, such as lighting, security, and AV. While ANSI-TIA-862 focuses on cabling infrastructure for smart building systems, ANSI/BICSI 007 provides a more comprehensive framework for structured cabling system design and implementation.

ISO/IEC 11801-6: Distributed Building Services

Also closely aligned with ANSI/TIA-862, this smart building standard ensures that Category and fiber optic cabling infrastructure are capable of supporting the operation and integration of smart building systems—such as building automation, energy management, and security systems—across single or multiple buildings on a campus. It also provides guidelines to ensure straightforward upgrades and expansions to accommodate future technology.

ISO/IEC 29125: Supporting Power Delivery Over Balanced Twisted-Pair Cabling

This standard supports safe, efficient power delivery over Ethernet cabling, providing requirements for PoE and its impact on cable to ensure that smart devices receive reliable power through the same cabling used for data transmission.

IEEE 802.3bt: DTE Power via MDI over 4-Pair

The latest IEEE 802.3bt standard applies to Ethernet equipment that can supply up to 90W of power over 4-pair Ethernet cable. Standards organizations like IEEE, TIA, and IEC are also working on standards for Single Pair Ethernet (SPE), which is an alternative to 4-pair cable to connect smart building systems.

Codes that Apply to Smart Buildings

While standards are voluntary, codes designed to protect people and property are mandatory. Let’s take a quick look at the codes that apply to smart buildings.

National Electrical Code (NEC)

Updated every three years, the NEC ensures safe installation and inspection to protect people and property from electrical and fire hazards. The 2023 NEC introduced Class 4 power circuits for the first time to support fault-managed power (FMP) systems in Article 726.

CSA EXP100:22: Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Published by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Group, this code is designed to provide uniformity and consistency in the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of ICT infrastructure within smart buildings. It emphasizes the integration and interaction of building systems.

The CSA Technical Committee is also developing CSA T100 ICT Code for Buildings, scheduled to be published by early 2025 for Canada and the United States.

ICC International Codes

The International Code Council (ICC) establishes International Codes (I Codes) to ensure the construction of safe, sustainable, and affordable buildings. These include:

• IBC (International Building Code), which establishes provisions to protect public health, safety, and welfare
  
  
• IFC (International Fire Code), which contains regulations to protect life and property from fires and explosion hazards
  
  
• IECC (International Energy Conservation Code), which addresses energy efficiency on several fronts, including cost, energy usage, and natural resources
  
  

Belden Knows Smart Building Standards

If you want to read more about the topic of ICT infrastructure for smart buildings or have questions about any of the standards or codes we mentioned above, send us a note. As a member of Communications Cable & Connectivity Association’s (CCCA) New Technology & Trends Committee, Belden served as a contributor to this recent piece about evolving smart buildings.

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Related Links:

• Communication Infrastructure: Making Smart Buildings a Reality
• Make Sure Today’s Infrastructure Design Supports Tomorrow’s Tech
• 9 Reasons Why Belden Supports Smart Buildings