ABANDONED CABLE REMOVAL

Big Opportunity for Contractors

By Frank Bisbee

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Before we start

VDV/IBS Conference attendees

 

Our job is to deliver a quality presentation.

Your task is to gather valuable information.

 

If you finish before me,

Please leave the room quietly

So you don't wake the others

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WHAT IS ABANDONED CABLE ?

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WARNINGCabling installation is not for the untrained

CAT6 cabling systems are CRAFT INTENSIVE

Extreme care must be used when installing or servicing CAT6 cable systems

MARCS = Moves, Adds, Removals, & Changes demand the same level of care

Our surveys indicate this is a universal rule for all (Vendors) CAT6 cabling systems

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National Electrical Code NEC 2002

The definition of abandoned cable, as found in paragraphs 800.2 and 770.2 of the NEC 2002 Book, states "....Installed communications cable that is not terminated at both ends at a connector or other equipment and not identified "For Future Use" with a tag."

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Codes & Standards ? The Codes ensure minimum

construction quality and ensure safety of life, health and property.

Standards, on the other hand, guarantee that the voice outlet will work. electricians, Inspectors and Low Voltage contractors use the NEC 2002 Codebook for installation and inspections

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NEC 2002The definition of abandoned cable, as found in paragraphs 800.2 and 770.2 of the NEC 2002 Book, states "....Installed communications cable that is not terminated at both ends at a connector or other equipment and not identified "For Future Use" with a tag."

The Codes ensure minimum construction quality and ensure safety of life, health and property.

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For copper cable, paragraph 800.52(B) of the NEC Code states "...The accessible portion of abandoned communications cables shall not be permitted to remain.." Additionally, paragraph 800.52(1) states that abandoned cables in vertical runs shall not be permitted to remain. Article

770 states the same requirements for optical fiber risers and horizontal cables.

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Identify abandoned cables per 2002 NEC requirements

Tag, Inventory & Document existing & Abandoned Cable

Telephone & Data circuits, telecom & network equipment

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Why does abandoned cable present such a problem? The accumulation of miles and miles of cabling left in the ceilings and walls of facilities has become a major concern for life safety over the past 10 years. Cables that are abandoned in ceilings, riser systems, and air-handling systems are a source for fueling fire, smoke, and sublethal toxic fumes that can incapacitate. In addition, PVC jackets tend to break down over time. This decomposition process is accelerated by exposure to increased temperatures and humidity.

The new fire safety provision to require the removal of abandoned cable is the first change to cabling requirements in the National Electrical Code in more than 20 years.

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Tag & Inventory abandoned cable & equipment in Riser & Telecommunication Rooms & Plenum areas

On-site assessment of property’s telecommunications infrastructure and development potential

Inspection and inventory of existing telecommunications infrastructure and pathways

Summary recommendations

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On-site identification & tagging of abandoned riser cabling, hardware & equipment by field technician

Removal of tagged cable, hardware, and equipment is available

Progress reports at regular intervals for duration of the project

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According to estimates, there is more than 45 billion feet of plenum cable in place in buildings.

The National Electrical Code (NEC 2002) requires that all abandoned copper and fiber cable be removed.

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As the code is enforced across the country, building owners and tenants could face thousands of dollars in additional cost to remove and dispose of the abandoned cables, tag and manage the remaining cable plant in their riser and communications areas, and ensure that tenants install proper cables to meet the building requirements for fire and safety of their other tenants.

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Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ): The “Authority Having Jurisdiction” is the organization, office and/or individual responsible for “approving” equipment, an installation, or a procedure. Note: the phrase “authority having jurisdiction” is used in a broad manner since jurisdictions and “approval” agencies vary as do their responsibilities.

Approved: Acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)

The Enforcers

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BOMA International recommends that you begin immediately to survey your buildings. Are there wires that are not being used? If so, identify the wiring by the service they performed, and the brand or model of cable. The NEC 2002 allows certain types of wires to be retained if they are tagged for future use. Any cable that is not in the category permitted for future use must be removed.

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All cabling end users should understand the implications of not complying with these

new NEC Codes. They are based on safety of the employees and rescue personnel.

Ignoring safety measures creates the potential for legal actions. Complying with safety

measures produces longer installation times and expenses in the form of T&M expenses

for removal and labeling “For Future Use.”

Cabling Installers are required to inform end users about these new codes and their

potential impacts.

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Rip it out, throw it away – that’s the easy way?

Test it, tag it, and turn it into an asset?

Audit and document the “hard” infrastructure?

Be the building owner’s and tenant’s best friend.

The cabling systems are not a throw away expense.

REMOVE, REUSE, OR RECYCLE

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For additional information

Visit www.wireville.com

Communication Planning Corporation

4160 Southside Blvd., Suite 3

Jacksonville, FL 32216-5470

Tel. 904-645-9077 Fax 904-645-9058

www.communicationplanning.com

Frank Bisbee, President

frank@wireville.comMarch 11, 2004