STEP – Sustainable Technology Environments Program was created in 2009 by Infocomm, to be an ecofriendly A/V program, aimed at creating and adding to the informational database of green audio video technologies and best practices.  STEP brings sustainability to the process of planning, designing and operating technology systems while reducing the long term environmental impact from technology.   It does this by providing standards for manufacturers, integrators, architects and consultants to create green sustainable technology systems.   STEP accounts for the energy consumption of information technologies systems and the reduction of raw materials.  It also encourages the use of technologies to make buildings smarter by reducing paper consumption and the greenhouse gas emissions of travel.

STEP is amongst a list of sustainable rating systems such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®), and other sustainable codes and standards from organizations such as Green Globes.  However STEP is unique in that it specifically addresses the approach to the sustainable planning, design, integration and operation of low-voltage building and communication technologies.

The STEP Process
The STEP Foundation has created a strategy, to ensure specific elements of sustainable technology are defined and successfully implemented through its five planning phases:

1.  Planning/Program Phase
The functional requirements of the buildings various technology systems are defined and budgeted.

2.  Architectural and Infrastructure Design Phase
The schematic design is developed, including infrastructure support systems such as conduit/containment, power and cooling requirements.

3.  System Design Phase
Hardware and Software solutions are defined with interconnections between systems.

4.  Systems Integration Phase
The hardware and software systems are acquired and assembled off site

5.  Operations Phase
This phase is defined at the one year point, not sooner than the completion of the systems integration phase.

The STEP Scorecard
The STEP rating system is essentially a scorecard that helps you judge where you are in every phase of the implementation.  The scorecard updates you on which criteria are required for credit status.   The scorecard measures the following categories:

• The Planning/Program Phase
• Architectural and Infrastructure Design
• System Design
• Systems Integration
• Operations

View the STEP scorecard here.

To learn more about the strategy download the STEP Sustainable Technology Environments Program Guide.  It is a 179 page guide for project and building managers to help product economic and environmental benefits with a sustainable building.  To learn more about STEP visit them at www.thestepfoundation.org.

IVCi has successfully achieved a Gold Rating with STEP.  If you are interested in learning more about creating a green environment, contact IVCi for more information.