The Rules We Live By

1. Cables should never share space with high voltage wires
2. The bend radius of a cable should never exceed ten times the outer diameter of cable—roughly equivalent to the radius of a soda can.
3. Cables should never run along side electrical wires unless the required minimum distance is held along entire run.
4. On patch panels and RJ-45 jacks no more than ½” of exposed wire shall be permitted.
5. TR’s to open fully (180 degrees recommended) and have lockable doors that are at least 3 feet wide and 6.7 feet tall. NOTE: Doors that open outward provide additional usable space and reduce constraints on TR layout but are sometimes prohibited by commercial building codes.
6. Avoid dust and static electricity by installing tile instead of carpet and treat floors, walls, and ceiling to minimize dust.
7. Provide HVAC that will maintain continuous and dedicated environmental control (24 hours per day, 365 days per year). If emergency power is available, consider connecting it to the HVAC that serves the TR. Maintain positive pressure with a minimum of one air change per hour.
8. For lighting provide a minimum equivalent of 50 foot candles measured 3 feet AFF. Do not use dimmer switches. Coordinate closely with the rack placements. Locate light fixtures a minimum of 8.5 feet AFF.
9. Using the electrical service ground. A direct electrical service ground is one of the best points for grounding communications systems. In new construction, an electrical contractor must provide accessible means. NEC 250.94 (BS 7671) requires an intersystem bonding connection accessible at the electrician service equipment, such as an: Exposed nonflexible metallic service raceway or exposed grounding electrode conductor (GEC).

These are just a few codes and standards. To find out more please contact U-NET. We would also like to thank BICSI for contributions.