RSI Group Design & Installation Process
New construction of the house low-voltage wiring for home management, comfort, communications and entertainment systems shall be design/engineered to the final client’s specifications.
Phases
An electronic systems design/build process begins with an overall completed Design. The agreed upon design is then Engineered to ensure all proper details, parts, protocol, documentation and pricing is in order to communicate and enable the build. Accurate pricing demands at least a preliminary design be completed.
A preliminary design is GENERATED on the basis of:
• Thorough conversations with the homeowner about the interests and requirements of their lifestyle, priorities and property development
• House plans, furniture layouts and detailed lighting specifications
• Discussions with the architect, general contractor, interior designer
• Interactive exchange between the homeowner and design process
• A design review between RSI Group consultants
• A Design Services Agreement with the homeowner, or DSA
The DSA goal is to research, develop and express the overall functionality and operation of core home systems technologies in
the proposal documents and drawings. It may also creates a foundation for further discussion, through revisions, towards a final
solution that provides everything the homeowner is desiring from their electronic systems.
Once the final design has been agreed to, it may be signed into a contract.
Engineering Phase
The agreed upon design is then Engineered to ensure all proper details, parts, protocol and documentation is in order to communicate and enable the build. This includes all relevant documentation for all aspects of the system design. Drafted plans for the phases of building and installing the systems, numerical spreadsheets for wiring and parts procurement are all part of the documentation processes associated with engineer.
Pre-Wire Phase
A Pre-Wire phase is the first milestone emerging from the documentation. This presents a substantial backbone from which to
centrally distribute and control electronic devices throughout the home, including lighting and general “essential systems”
control. (Essential systems defined as: security, access, surveillance, communications, power.)
Generally, this is based on a “centralized” systems approach, in which home control and media distribution
(i.e.: video, audio, communications) is placed in a single location and wired out from that hub to the spokes of various
sub-systems or rooms throughout the house.
The first build-phase is the Pre-Wire Phase. This is when the entire project is handed over to one of our Project Managers
to run the project from its beginning to the final completion. It involves pulling specialized low-voltage wiring, required
by the design, throughout the house and solidifying the many locations for products to be integrated into the each area of the home.
Rough-In Phase
Installing various wall and ceiling brackets, connection points, junction boxes, mounts and component rails is usually done after the dry-wall has been installed. This is called the Rough-In phase. It also includes an Equipment Racking phase, placing all rack mounted equipment into standard EAIJ-type metal equipment racks, either for millwork or equipment store room locations, and wires up all of the electronics. During this phase, all equipment is put through rigorous testing and burn-in to ensure nothing breaks down. Configuration, programming and program testing is also done towards the end of this phase.
Programming Phase
The Programming phase starts after our design review with you, prior to the equipment procurement. Programmers write the code that determines how you’re going to use the systems. This is perhaps the most important phase of the project, in that this is where your eyes and hands will control and monitor your home. It includes also programming your lighting scenes, pathways and modes.
Trim Phase
The Trim phase brings in all the details and accoutrements, including the mounting of all keypads, wall plates, panels, video displays, speaker trim, grilles and other details that integrate the technologies into your home décor.
Final Installation Phase
The Final Installation phase brings in the racks and connects them to our pre-determined infrastructure wiring. This includes
lighting panels, security, shades, HVAC, entry access, communications and all entertainment systems, whereby they are all
connected and commissioned. Software is uploaded and tested for functionality at all levels. Then we walk you, the owner,
through the controls. Normally, our controls are so well planned and well laid out that they themselves guide the owner and
his family through what they wish to access. Manuals or quick-start cards become unnecessary.
Once everything is up and running and the owner has been orientated, the Service Manager is introduced to carry on the relationship with regards to maintenance,
service issues, upgrades, software improvements, etc., over future years. Typically, some adjustments are made as the owner
lives in the home with the systems over the course of a few weeks. We are there every step of the way to support and answer your specific needs.
Summary
Integrated homes may seem complex when we describe them or present you with the “laundry list” of products and services from which they are built. However,
the results of all the “behind the scenes” work provide you, your family and friends practical, seamless use, access, and
monitoring of home management, entertainment and communications that enhance your life immensely.
The modular nature of an RSI design concept allows integrated systems to adapt and change to your lifestyle. They are open-ended, general architecture which can
accommodate expansion, reduction or future technologies. They all allow for future software and firmware upgrades.
Our design concept for your residence will use economies reflective of your descriptions throughout the home. But they all will be based upon our proven processes of
relying on specific “core” systems. Audio and video product qualities vary tremendously from mid-range to higher-end
or more concealed design parameters to meet your décor. We can increase or decrease the number of rooms chosen to have
touch screens or design more or less elaborate media playback throughout the home, all based on your lifestyle and budget
priorities. Our goal is to use appropriate technologies to what your lifestyle expresses. These will be incorporated to
maximize user ease while providing high quality in each local and general area.