Darlene Pope, President
dpope@crepartners.com

BOMA Position: 
Building owners, managers, tenants and service providers need to work cooperatively to ensure that all parties understand their responsibilities to comply with NEC 2002’s provisions on removing or tagging unused cabling in buildings.

Action Requested:
BOMA International recommends the building owners and managers begin immediately to survey their buildings to identify unused cable.  If such wires exist, members should identify the wiring by its rating (riser rated “CMR”, plenum rated “CMP”) and its use (communications, alarm, security, etc.).  The NEC 2002 includes language that allows some cabling to be retained if it is tagged for future use – as long as it meets the permitted use criteria specified for cable installations (i.e., minimum of riser-rated in the risers, plenum-rated in the plenum).  Any cable that does not meet the permitted use specifications must be removed.

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   Abandoned Cabling Audits
   Improve Safety and Planning

   Conducting a cabling infrastructure assessment, or cabling “audit”, is a
   critical first step to understanding the scope of liability an owner faces
   with abandoned cabling in a building.  Even in localities where the new
   code language has not yet been incorporated into local building codes
   (such as Washington, D.C.), inspectors and tenants are paying attention
to the issue of excess cabling and the increase of abandoned cabling, largely due to educational efforts on this topic which have increased awareness to the potential fire hazards cabling presents. 

Here is a case study of a recent building audit conducted by DuPont Abandoned Cable Services, which describes the process and benefits of conducting a cabling infrastructure assessment:

The new DuPont cabling assessment program includes diagnostic services to help building owners and property managers gain a more thorough understanding of potential infrastructure and fire safety concerns associated with abandoned cable.  In addition to providing these audit services, DuPont offers access to a network of preferred contractors trained in responsible cable removal practices along with a unique cable recycling technology to ensure waste minimization.  In cases where new network cabling may be needed, DuPont™ certified “limited combustible cables” offer a higher level of cable fire safety technology than standard plenum-rated cabling.   (FULL ARTICLE)

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