The role of buildings in advancing clean and efficient energy technology has been well established.

Now buildings are getting smarter and are connecting to form their own communities that achieve even greater levels of energy innovation.

On Nov. 2, 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) kicked off what it is referring to as a “new era for grid-efficient buildings.” The event marked the launch of the DOE’s Connected Communities cohort. This is a collaboration of nine projects, each of which were awarded funding by the DOE for their own innovation in connected energy-efficient buildings. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is acting as the national coordinator for this cohort.

The DOE’s Connected Communities is intended to drive innovation in building energy consumption by emphasizing how groups of buildings can work together to maximize the use of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar power, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, battery storage and other state-of-the-art technology.

The DOE defines a connected community as a group of grid-interactive efficient buildings with diverse, flexible end-use equipment and other DERs that work collectively to maximize building, community and grid efficiency while still meeting occupants’ needs and comforts.

Last year, the department issued a large funding opportunity announcement and selected projects that demonstrate how connected communities can serve as assets to the electrical grid. The cohort that was kicked off earlier this month represents a collaboration of the nine projects that were awarded funding. They will share information, challenges and best practices to achieve greater building energy efficiency through connectivity.

One example of an awarded project is The Ohio State University’s cybersecure orchestrated control of DERs across an array of diverse campus buildings.

Another cohort is the utility Portland General Electric that is working to achieve 1.4 megawatts (MW) of flexible loads by retrofitting nearly 600 commercial and residential buildings.

Similarly, in Spokane, Wash., Edo Energy is striving to achieve between 1 and 2.3 MW of flexible loads by retrofitting heat pumps, water heaters, control systems and other resources in an all-electric virtual power plant that will help defer capital investment for a 55-MW peak substation.

In Raleigh, N.C., IBACOS Inc. will connect hundreds of new and existing homes to solar power, battery storage and smart thermostats.

Every project comes with large responsibilities, and life safety fire alarm systems most often represent a small portion of the total quote for work in the building. It is most often the last system installed in the building, and the fire alarm system installation often gets overlooked in terms of technology changes and quality control.

As stated in Section 901.6.3 of the 2018 International Building Code (IBC), “Fire alarm systems required by the provisions of Section 907.2 of this code and Sections 907.2 and 907.9 of the International Fire Code shall be monitored by an approved supervising station in accordance with Section 907.6.6 of this code.”

Most likely you have been relying on your equipment supplier to ensure the fire alarm system could make the appropriate connections. However, the code and marketplace have made changes that have caused some confusion with the authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), and systems approvals are hitting a snag due to circumstances beyond our control.

Before the breakup of AT&T, the portion of the connection from the fire alarm system to the supervising station was treated as a “black box.” The technical committee had met with AT&T and determined that the phone line connections from the fire alarm system had a 0.99999 reliability factor, and although the code had no jurisdiction regarding the connection between the fire alarm system and the supervising station, the technical committee felt confident of the connection and used a digital alarm communicator transmitter (DACT) to make the necessary connections as required by the IBC and NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code.

These connections were made over what was called (by the communications industry) plain old telephone service (POTS) through the public switched telephone network (PSTN) interconnection points.

Then the breakup of AT&T occurred. We now have communications provided by telephone and cable TV companies, and a new definition of connection to the supervising station.

We start with the NFPA 72-2022 definition of a managed facilities-based voice network (MFVN). The code defines the MFVN as “a physical facilities-based network capable of transmitting real time signals with formats unchanged that is managed, operated, and maintained by the service provider to ensure service quality and reliability from the subscriber location to the interconnection point with other MFVN peer networks or the supervising station.”

MFVN has replaced PSTN, which was used in the requirements for DACTs in Chapter 26 of NFPA 72-2022.

The Annex (A.3.3.161) in NFPA 72-2022 provides the following:

“[A] Managed facilities-based voice network service is functionally equivalent to traditional PSTN-based services provided by authorized common carriers (public utility telephone companies or local exchange carriers [LECs]) with respect to dialing, dial plan, call completion, carriage of signals and protocols, and loop voltage treatment and provides all of the following features:

1. A loop start telephone circuit service interface.

2. Pathway reliability that is assured by proactive management, operation, and maintenance by the MFVN provider.

3. 8 hours of standby power supply capacity for MFVN communications equipment either located at the protected premises or field deployed. Industry standards followed by the authorized common carriers (public utility telephone companies), and the other communications service providers that operate MFVNs, specifically engineer the selection of the size of the batteries, or other permanently located standby power source, in order to provide 8 hours of standby power with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Of course, over time, abnormal ambient conditions and battery aging can always have a potentially adverse effect on battery capacity. The MFVN field-deployed equipment typically monitors the condition of the standby battery and signals potential battery failure to permit the communications service provider to take appropriate action.

4. 24 hours of standby power supply capacity for MFVN communications equipment located at the communications service provider’s central office.

5. Installation of network equipment at the protected premises with safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to the equipment and its connections. When providing telephone service to a new customer, MFVN providers [must] give notice to the telephone service subscriber of the need to have any connected alarm system tested by authorized fire alarm service personnel in accordance with Chapter 14 to make certain that all signal transmission features have remained operational. These features include the proper functioning of line seizure and the successful transmission of signals to the supervising station. In this way, the MFVN providers assist their new customers in complying with a testing procedure similar to that outlined in 26.2.7 for changes to providers of supervising station service. The evolution of the deployment of telephone service has moved beyond the sole use of metallic conductors connecting a telephone subscriber’s premises with the nearest telephone service provider’s control and routing point (wire center). In the last 25 years, telephone service providers have introduced a variety of technologies to transport multiple, simultaneous telephone calls over shared communication pathways. In order to facilitate the further development of the modernization of the telephone network, the authorized common carriers (public utility telephone companies) have transitioned their equipment into a managed facilities-based voice network (MFVN) capable of providing a variety of communications services in addition to the provision of traditional telephone service.

“Similarly, the evolution of digital communications technology has permitted entities other than the authorized common carriers (public utility telephone companies) to deploy robust communications networks and offer a variety of communications services, including telephone.

“These alternate service providers fall into two broad categories: those entities that have emulated the MFVN provided by the authorized common carriers and those entities that offer telephone service using means that do not offer the rigorous quality assurance, operational stability and consistent features provided by an MFVN and are not regulated by the state public utilities commission.

“The code intends to only recognize the use of the telephone network transmission of alarm, supervisory, trouble and other emergency signals by means of MFVNs.

“For example, the code intends to permit an MFVN to provide facilities-based telephone (voice) service that interfaces with the premises fire alarm or emergency signal control unit through a digital alarm communicator transmitter (DACT) using an emulated loop start telephone circuit and signaling protocols fully compatible with and equivalent to those used in public switched telephone networks. The loop-start telephone circuit and associated signaling can be provided through traditional copper wire telephone service POTS or by means of equipment that emulates the loop start telephone circuit and associated signaling and then transmits the signals over a pathway using packet switched (IP) networks or other communications methods that are part of an MFVN.

“Providers of MFVNs must have disaster recovery plans to address individual customer outages and widespread events such as tornados, ice storms, or other natural disasters, which include specific network power restoration procedures equivalent to those of traditional landline telephone services.”

The important take-away from this discussion is that the MFVN is not a part of the fire alarm system and is not listed as a fire alarm device.

The UL listing of a currently listed MFVN product on the market states that the product is a POTS replacement “that connects to LAN and 4G to provide service to all traditional analog devices. This product acts as a managed facilities-based voice network (MFVN) and is considered part of the communication infrastructure, not the fire alarm system.”

Telephone service that is not provided using a traditional POTS line or with an MFVN would not be permitted for connection to a DACT in accordance with NFPA 72, Section 26.6.4.1.

MFVN testing and coordination with the building fire alarm interface is the building owner’s responsibility to arrange and coordinate. This last requirement inevitably falls into your lap to ensure compliance.

All the above, even with the quotes from NFPA 72, proves troublesome to the AHJ, and this single issue will have an impact on the final approval of your installed fire alarm system. To ensure approval by the AHJ, make sure the MFVN provider is a public utility telephone company or an authorized (by the state public utilities commission) local exchange carrier. Additionally, conduct the necessary tests to ensure the alarm, supervisory and trouble signals are transmitted to the supervising station.

Despite its growing popularity, solar power remains a luxury that, typically, only more affluent households can afford, due mostly to the high costs of installation.

However, recent statistics show that the technology is not completely exclusive. A greater share of lower-income households and neighborhoods are having rooftop panels installed.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory released the latest edition of its annual report, Residential Solar-Adopter Income and Demographic Trends. This November 2022 edition, updated from its initial 2022 report released in February, is based on address-level data for 2.8 million residential households across the country that have installed solar on-site. The latest update includes data on systems installed through 2021.

The report reveals some unsurprising statistics. For example, the median income for solar adopters was $110,000. This is above the national average of $79,000, and confirms that households with solar are more likely to have above-average means.

However, a closer look at the results reveals that solar technology is not exclusively for the rich. Several statistics show that the average income is trending downward, indicating that solar is becoming more accessible to those in lower-income tiers.

For example, according to the report, the average household income of solar adopters in 2010 was $129,000. This represents a drop of almost $20,000 in 11 years.

Also, the median income figure reveals that while half of the nation’s households with solar have incomes above $110,000, an equal number have incomes below that level.

Looking at that lower half a little more closely, the report finds that roughly one-third of all households that installed solar in 2021 had incomes between $50,000 and $100,000. Another 15% of households had incomes below $50,000. The most well-represented income category was composed of those households with incomes between $75,000 and $100,000. They comprised roughly 18% of the total number of households that installed solar last year.

The report also finds that the share of the solar market in disadvantaged communities has been rising over time. According to Department of Energy figures, the percentage of residential solar installations in these communities has more than doubled from 5% in 2010 to 11% in 2021.

Lastly, the report finds that solar markets are also moving into less-affluent states. While roughly half of the nation’s solar adopters are in California, which is a relatively high-income state, the market for solar is growing in states like Texas and Florida, which are considered middle- and low-income states, respectively.

Aggressive driving—a term coined in the 1990s—consists of several potentially dangerous behaviors, such as speeding, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, changing lanes without signaling and running red lights and stop signs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) further defines aggressive driving as “the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property.”

The National Conference of State Legislatures found that excessive speed was a factor in 27% of all fatal crashes in 2015, with a cost of $40 billion annually. Additionally, if speed increases by 50%, the energy released in a crash more than doubles.

Aggressive driving can escalate to “road rage,” a more extreme version of aggressive driving, typified by cursing, obscene gestures, ramming, sideswiping or running other vehicles off the road. It’s important to distinguish between aggressive driving—a traffic violation—and road rage—a criminal offense. Data compiled in 2019 by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety indicated that almost 80% of drivers exhibit aggression, road rage or significant anger while behind the wheel.

“Aggressive drivers hurt their fleets,” said Belinda Rueffer, vice president of marketing at GPS Insight, Scottsdale, Ariz. In addition to the obvious safety concern, aggressive driving can increase fuel costs. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that aggressive driving can decrease gas mileage by 15%–30% on highways and 10%–40% in cities. This can have a cumulative impact on a fleet’s budget.

To counteract the negative effects of aggressive driving, fleet manager can use telematics and smart dash cams to collect data on each of their driver’s behaviors and implement driver coaching. These measures can help fleet managers end aggressive driving, cut expenses, improve efficiency and protect drivers.

“Using telematics and dashcams can help reduce aggressive driving by revealing each driver’s behavior,” Rueffer said. “Telematics can monitor a driver’s speeding, harsh braking and other bad habits, identifying coaching—and discipline—opportunities.”

Telematics combined with dashcams can also protect drivers by determining if a behavior was warranted in the context of their driving conditions, thereby boosting safety and reducing accidents. 

Rueffer observed that even experienced, conscientious drivers can lose control when furious or agitated. “On-time delivery or service demands and long hours on the road can make fleet drivers hostile,” she said. “Putting an end to aggressive driving is in the best interest of everyone on the road.”

With inclusion becoming increasingly important to consumers, companies have made an effort to recruit a more diverse workforce. The construction industry is making strides as there are now more women working in U.S. construction than ever before.

In August 2022, the number of women construction workers reached an all-time high of 14% of the entire industry. A November 2022 analysis by The Washington Post says that the number of women employed as construction workers has been on the rise since 2016, continuously increasing from 12.5% of the industry in August 2016 and spiking to 13.5% during the pandemic in April 2020. That year, one in every 10 construction workers was a woman, accounting for 1.2 million employees, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

By the end of 2021, the number of women across the entire industry reached 1,241,000. This number accounts for every role in the industry, including managerial and clerical positions, but The Institute for Women’s Policy Research found that 314,223 of these employees were construction tradeswomen.

The trend for women in overall construction is higher than in electrical construction. Responses collected in the 2022 Profile of the Electrical Contractor showed only 4% of respondents were women, consistent with the data from 2020, the last time the survey was conducted.

The largest increase in the construction industry comes from Hispanic women. This demographic grew by 117% over the past six years, per The Post’s analysis, which also found that most of this growth derived from work site positions and not back office roles.

One of the biggest factors leading to this increase is the pressing nationwide worker shortage. Overall, this has caused labor recruiters to look outside their usual hiring pool, according to a November 2022 Construction Dive report. On theme with diversifying the construction workforce, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Million Women in Construction initiative at a North American Building Trades Union conference in October. This initiative plans to continue to promote inclusivity by continuing to recruit more women into these high-paying construction trade roles.

“Right now, there are about one million women working in the construction industry,” Raimondo said. “I’m here to tell you that together we are going to double that over the next decade to create opportunity for another million women.”