The value of intelligently connected systems
is the ability to gain insights, not only to
immediate building problems, but to workflows,
system patterns, and overall space utilization.
CONVEYING THE CABLES THAT
SIMPLY MAKE LIFE BETTER!
Snake Tray® products are patent protected. | Made in the USA
March/April 2019 I 13
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Ideal locations should be available
to support personnel, while not
causing disruption to occupants
when access is required. Adjacency
to pathways throughout the zone
should be considered. Furthermore,
locations should be secured from
unauthorized intrusion. Ensure
the zone enclosures, cabling and
outlet boxes meet the rating needed
for the environment in which they
will reside. Since the building links
may be needed in areas previously
requiring little cabling, zone
enclosures may be needed outside
of the core of the building which
is usually the preferred location
for TRs.
Pathway sizing becomes even
more critical when supporting
interconnected systems than
when supporting voice and data
alone. Capacity calculations are
more complex because of the
multiple cable types. Decisions
made by multiple trades impact
the same pathway, so sizing
and routing becomes more of
a collaborative effort. Horizontal
connection points (HCPs) may
contain active devices, such as
switches, that most likely require
a dedicated uninterruptible power
supply (UPS) and/or generator power
for the switch and for PoE endpoints,
so coordination with electrical
engineers is critical. Furthermore,
ICT designers should be aware that
some systems will continue to
require dedicated pathways.
While the expected lifespans
of some technology equipment
are limited to about five years,
low voltage cabling and pathways
outlive the usefulness of many
other building systems. Investing
in the technology backbone,
pathways and spaces during initial
construction enables more efficient
leveraging of future IB technologies.
If it is not possible today to design
the technology infrastructure
for the future, it should at least
be scalable to accommodate
future requirements.
Interconnection with other
systems results in increased
physical space needs within the
TRs. ANSI/BICSI 007-2017
recommends at least 50 percent
more space for a TR supporting
an IB than for one supporting
only voice and data. Panels
and equipment for the building
management system, HVAC
controls, lighting control, fire
alarm, water and waste
management can find their way
into the spaces once reserved for
information technology. This allows
for the aggregation of these
interoperable systems. Cooling
and UPS demands are increased
correspondingly. Early in design,
explore where the building systems
equipment will be placed
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