Networks and Wi-Fi for apartment and condo buildings
For property managers, developers, condo boards and strata councils in Alberta and BC.
The quick answer
Give the building’s own systems, such as the intercom, access control, cameras and parcel lockers, their own network, separate from residents’ internet. Add Wi-Fi in the common areas that need it, plan coverage for the parkade, gates and outbuildings, and keep a backup connection for the systems that must stay online.
What runs on a building network
| System | What it needs |
|---|---|
| Video intercom | A reliable connection at every entrance panel, so calls and door releases work. |
| Access control | Controllers and readers that stay online, or work offline and catch up. |
| Security cameras | Enough bandwidth for video, usually with power over the same cable (PoE). |
| Parcel lockers | A wired connection at the locker bank for deliveries and notifications. |
| Common-area Wi-Fi | Coverage in the lobby, amenity rooms, gym and party room. |
Keep building systems separate
Building systems shouldn’t share a network with residents or guests. A separate network, or separate VLANs on the same equipment, keeps cameras and door controllers away from personal devices, limits what one problem can affect, and makes remote support safer. See VLAN in the glossary.
Common areas, parkades and outbuildings
Lobbies, amenity rooms and gyms are where residents notice weak Wi-Fi. Parkades and gates are where intercoms, readers and lockers lose their connection. Concrete blocks signal, so we plan access points and cable routes for each area, and use point-to-point wireless links to reach outbuildings and gates without trenching.
Residents’ internet
In-suite internet is usually provided by an internet provider. We can coordinate cabling with them, and keep the building’s own systems on a separate network either way.
Backup and remote support
A second connection, such as a cellular backup, keeps the intercom, door controllers and alarm reporting online if the main internet line fails. Secure remote access lets us check and fix building systems without a site visit, without opening ports to the internet.
Network problems now?
If the intercom, doors or cameras keep dropping offline, we can find the cause and fix it.
Related: networks and Wi-Fimulti-family security and video intercom
Stuck with a system nobody will fix?
We repair and take over cameras, access control, intercoms and alarms installed by other companies, when your current provider has fallen short.
Help: Export Avigilon video
Questions
Should our cameras and intercom share the residents’ network?
No. Keep building systems on their own network or VLANs, separate from residents and guests.
Why does our parkade intercom keep going offline?
Usually the connection to the parkade is weak or unreliable. A wired link or a properly planned wireless link usually fixes it.
Do you provide internet to residents?
In-suite internet usually comes from an internet provider. We plan the building’s own network and coordinate cabling with the provider.
Can you reach a gate or outbuilding without trenching?
Often, yes, with a point-to-point wireless link between the building and the gate or outbuilding.
What happens if the internet goes down?
A cellular backup can keep the intercom, doors and alarm reporting online until the main line is back.
Do we get admin access?
Yes. We hand over admin access and full documentation on every project.
More answers: Network questionsGlossary: PoEstructured cabling
Get a network quote
Tell us about the building and which systems need to be connected. We’ll follow up to book a site visit.
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