Market
THE Security + Life Safety Systems COMMUNITY
Integrated electronic security/fire-life safety, communication and building control systems comprise a rapidly expanding $25-30B industry. CII building systems are increasingly more technologically sophisticated and dependent on integration and inter-operability with their various components. Of critical importance to the actual functioning of these systems is their total dependence on a traditional electrical power supply that is "clean", completely reliable, and uninterruptible. Integrating these two vital elements into a complete, effective, scalable and energy efficient "package" ensures that facilities function as designed both for today and into the future.
CHANGING ROLE AND EXPANDED RESPONSIBILITY
Electrical contractors have migrated from a role of primarily being a product buyer and installer of "somebody else's specifications", to an integral, trusted partner in the product selection, system design and specification process. Electrical contractors have expanded their sphere of activity to include every facet of traditional power and low voltage systems. Included are security/fire/life safety/voice-data, fiber optics, lighting fixtures/controls, building automation, power quality, energy management and emerging technologies such as solar, wind, and geothermal.
Research proves that electrical contractors make specific brand decisions over 70% of the time across the entire spectrum of electrical products and systems.
- Design Build and its various permutations have become the preferred process for the majority of CII projects. Over 80% of all electrical contractors are involved in Design Build. Over 47% of total revenue of the typical electrical contractor comes from Design Build work (firms +100 employees = 82%).
- Product/System specifications are being delivered to the electrical contractor far less specific than ever before. Over 80% of electrical specs are written "multiple/or-equal." Final product selection is delegated to the electrical contractor.
- The electrical contractor is increasingly responsible for completion of schematic designs (and resulting product/system specifications).
- Increased emphasis on convergence of major building systems better enables true integration, interoperability, system optimization and overall energy efficiency. The electrical contractor is the only entity empowered to make that connection between those systems and the traditional electrical power supply.
- Building owners demand closer to single source responsibility for integrating and maintaining all their building's systems; positioning the electrical contractor at the "epicenter", able to integrate and maintain traditional power and low voltage systems.
- Increased acceptance, availability, capability of "open architecture" systems allows more measurable and cost effective building technology systems.
- Recent changes in CSI Master Format structure has opened more opportunity for the electrical contractor to participate across a broad spectrum of total building system integration.