The Telecommunications Industry Association's (TIA's) TR-42 Engineering Committee on Telecommunications Cabling Systems has created Subcommittee TR-42.10 for the purpose of creating standard specifications for the Sustainable Technology Environments Program (STEP). The TIA is taking on this initiative in cooperation with BICSI, CompTIA, InfoComm and the Communications Cable and Connectivity Association.
"This effort will bring sustainability to the process of planning, designing, integrating and operating technology systems," the TIA said. "Technology is part of the solution to the future's economy and STEP will play an important role in coordinating and enhancing the benefits that technological innovation brings to the built environment."
TIA was selected to standardize the STEP rating system and guide, which are managed by the STEP Foundation. TIA noted that the considerable work already completed by STEP's founding members has created an advanced and thorough contribution for standardization.
The TIA is inviting new members and participants to be part of TR-42.10's efforts. The group's first meeting will be held on October 1, 2012 in Philadelphia, PA. Anyone interested in participating can contact TIA via email here.
TIA president Grant Seiffert, who serves on STEP's board of directors, commented, "STEP is addressing the big void in 'green' buildings: technology systems. Green certification programs have largely ignored technology systems in their assessments. In fact, many eco-friendly buildings are being built in a way that actually impedes technology in today's converged world."
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"The start of the standards development process is important to making STEP certification a reality," Seiffert continued. "In developing standards for STEP, TIA's goal is to facilitate the implementation of sustainable technologies in buildings and to help builders provide and maintain both high-tech performance as well as energy efficiency."
The STEP Foundation's executive director Allen Weidman said, "Sustainability is good business, but only if business is part of the process. TIA regularly works with companies and industry groups to create standards for a wide range of sectors. With TIA's expertise and industry connections, STEP will help project managers and building owners implement green technologies and practices that will produce economic benefits for their organizations."