Ontario has been moving towards more sustainable building practices for decades, and the work is not done. Structured cabling infrastructure allows for renewable energy resources such as solar panels to be seamlessly integrated into buildings, reducing dependency on fossil fuel sources. This paper provides an overview of Ontario’s structured cabling guidelines, newly implemented by the Ontario Building Code in 2016.
The value of structured cabling infrastructure is undeniable; however, it can be costly. A study by the U.S. Department of Energy found that the installation of structured cabling infrastructure could reduce electricity costs by as much as 25% in commercial buildings, projects, and residences that have been recently modified or renovated. New York state has started a program to help offset the cost of structured cabling infrastructure for multifamily housing construction under its Home Energy Efficiency Rebate Program (HERS).
Ontario’s new Building Code (the Ontario Building Code) is a product of collaboration between government and industry groups. As a result, its provisions reflect the best practices and recommendations of industry leaders. In 2015, the Building Envelope Council of Ontario (BECO) was convened to research the standards and requirements for energy efficiency in the building envelope, including electrical cabling infrastructure. BECO concluded that energy efficiency could be greatly improved through a structured cabling control system that reduces energy consumption by monitoring, managing, and controlling cabling power consumption throughout the building.
In August 2016, BECO developed “Ontario’s 2016 Requirements for Structured Cabling in Health Care Facilities” for consideration as part of Part 3 (Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning) of the Ontario Building Code. BECO’s recommendations presented to the Building Code Technical Committee provide:
Implementation of these guidelines requires more than just a change in code; many individuals and organizations need to be on board to make this happen. To assist in upgrading energy-efficient facilities, BECO also developed a new structured cabling production standard for Ontario for health care facilities. This new standard offers a framework that can be used by owners and contractors to develop cabling infrastructure in health care facilities with regard to cost, efficiency, security, and flexibility.
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