STEP: Insight from Allen Weidman


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The Middle Atlantic Products Ecosystem: ISO Certification is Just the Beginning with link to Middle Atlantic Feature text by itself.

The face of the future of AV is Green. The industry must acknowledge this practical reality instead of debating its perceived merits or challenges.

This is why we were surprised at a recent InfoComm Roundtable event in New York when Green AV was described as one of "two trains leaving the station," an upcoming trend that may or may not be on the radar in two years. The presenter explained that he "didn't have a lot of slides on Green," unlike those he showed for 3D, the other, sexier train leaving the station.

Green, he noted, "is really about business" but no one seemed able to make a strong enough case for how it was good for business or whether the Green trend was significant enough to warrant changing the ways the industry does business. Or if Green AV would be around long enough to outlast this conversation.

Giving credit where credit is due, InfoComm put together a hardworking Sustainability Task Force comprised of AV professionals that represent the scope of the industry- manufacturers, installers, staging pros, integrators and more. It's this kind of interdisciplinary approach to AV that builds Green ideas for the future.

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STEP: Insight from Allen Weidman

On November 2, at the first ever GovComm, InfoComm announced the launch of the STEP Foundation website. Project Green AV sat down with Allen Weidman, InfoComm International Sustainability Officer and Executive Director of the STEP Foundation, to offer the industry more clarity about what this program is and what it means for our AV industry. Allen shared his insights on STEP, its evolution and plans for the future as an environmentally responsible rating system for the AV industry.

STEP, once an InfoComm initiative, has grown into the STEP Foundation. The Foundation is a collaboration among InfoComm, BICSI, CompTIA, and TIA. Together, the four trade associations "work in unison to focus on value for all members" in service to environmental responsibility and opportunities. The STEP Foundation is comprised of two representatives from each member association, with Scott Walker and Ray Kemp representing InfoComm.

Energy management figures into STEP prominently. Thirty percent of STEP is dedicated to Smart Building Technologies (SBT). SBT is intrinsic to Green AV because it “humanizes the building” beyond materials used.

STEP vs. LEED

Currently, STEP is a guide for the industry to apply to existing and new installations, not a certification system. While it is possible that STEP may be adopted by the USGBC’s LEED in the future, STEP is “completely independent and self standing.” Like LEED, STEP is structured on a similar tiered model (Bronze to Platinum, in the case of LEED).

STEP goes beyond the scope of LEED Certification. Notably, STEP can be used for all types of technology installations: new, old, retrofit, as opposed to LEED that is limited to new construction projects. In fact, about half of the current STEP pilot programs are existing projects.

Reference Points

Also like LEED but with unique AV and IT-driven insight, STEP will reference existing and future industry standards to help applicants earn STEP ratings. The TCO Certified Eco-Label is among STEP’s recommended standards for equipment. (Note- should we put this in and not explain what it means?)

According to Allen, a STEP Foundation goal is to “get ANSI accreditation and to bring it to ASHRAE” and similar organizations “for reference in their standards.”

Getting Started- What The AV Industry Needs to Know Now

Education

For the next six months to a year the STEP Foundation is focusing on educating the AV industry about how to work with the ratings system. InfoComm and the partner associations will distribute new information through their websites, newsletters, press releases and webinars. Additionally, InfoComm will actively discuss STEP guidelines and opportunities at industry events and round tables. Stay glued to Project Green AV as we help InfoComm and the STEP Foundation spread the word about STEP.

Pilot Programs

The STEP Foundation is looking to find ten existing or new AV installation projects that allow AV professionals a chance to test out the rating system free of charge on new and existing projects.

Eight projects have been approved and InfoComm is still accepting applications. Contact Project Green AV to connect with the STEP Foundation for an application or more information.

Looking Ahead

When the Foundation Partners met as taskforce they “envisioned that we have core rating system across the board [industries] with break out certifications for specialties like AV or IT,” which presents opportunities for even more industry growth in the sphere of environmental responsibility. The intention is to have STEP referenced by larger Green construction associations in an effort to “humanize the building.” That is, offering Green standards relating to facilities beyond the construction, but also to systems used daily by the occupants.

Project Green AV will continue to report on and help educate our AV industry colleagues about how to understand and apply STEP to environmentally responsible initiatives. For a copy of the current STEP Guide, please contact us.

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