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Feature Article*
May 19, 2005
 Abandoned
Cabling Audits
Improve Safety and Planning
The new
National Electrical Code (NEC) versions 2002 and 2005 require the
removal of accessible, abandoned cable from office buildings throughout
the nation due to the large and growing potential fire hazard this cable
poses as it accumulates over time. As tenants move in and out or
upgrade their network cabling, and as building communications systems
are installed, the amount of cabling in buildings continues to
increase. There are currently an estimated 60 billion feet of
communications cabling in buildings in the United States, of which a
significant percentage has been abandoned or is no longer in use.
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.
DuPont
initiated their new Abandoned Cable Services as a pilot program working
with a prestigious property management company at a 400,000 s.f. Class A
office building in downtown Washington, DC. After a planning meeting
with the building management and technology team, DuPont mapped out a
one-day assessment program to identify abandoned cabling and other NEC
concerns within the building.
The audit
began with a thorough review of the cabling infrastructure documentation
on file at the management office, including structural designs of the
risers, firestop submittals, and as-built drawings of the tenant
spaces. The tenant handbook and standard lease language were also
reviewed, since these are key documents in which the property manager
can establish best practices and requirements for tenant build-outs and
alterations. The site audit focused on the riser telecommunications
rooms, provider demarcation points, and some of the common areas in the
building, using a checklist developed to help ensure the coordination of
NEC and NFPA safety codes and standards, ANSI/TIA/EIA standards, and
manufacturer’s recommended practices.
As with
many multi-tenant buildings, a history of multiple service provider
contracts for system installations and service presented specific
challenges concerning abandoned equipment and questionable cabling. The
audit identified specific items that needed to be resolved with many of
these vendors, as well as recommending a procedure which would require
documentation of all future equipment installed or work performed in the
building. DuPont provided the property management with digital pictures
of a number of common area cabling installations that needed to be
upgraded or replaced, which also served as good opportunities to educate
and engage the building’s tenants on matters of permitted use cabling
and removal of abandoned cabling.
When the
audit was complete, DuPont provided the property management team with
information on its Preferred Contractor Network affiliates in the DC
area who are capable of assisting them with removal of abandoned cabling
as well as compliance with other code issues such as proper fire
stopping. The on-site audit and recommendations for improvements were
documented in an existing condition report, which now serves as a
planning tool for the property managers as they look ahead to building
and technology upgrades and future tenant renovations.
Since the
initial assessment was completed, the building management team has begun
to implement building-wide specifications for DuPont™ certified limited
combustible cable to replace conventional plenum cable for common areas,
as well as recommend this cable’s use in tenant areas. As the property
adds new tenants, they will not only be able to maintain a clean and
organized telecommunications backbone, they will also have a safer
building in the event of a fire. Working together, the property
management team and DuPont Abandoned Cable Services efficiently ensured
compliance with building safety codes and standards with minimal
disruption of ongoing operations, and maximum consideration to building
and tenant safety.
The
DuPont™ Abandoned Cable Services program is available throughout the
United States. Services typically include the following:
• On-site assessment of
building cable infrastructure, including (as appropriate) risers,
horizontal runs, and demarcation points
•Existing Condition Report (ECR)
which highlights observations on code compliance and provides
recommendations for corrective actions, along with budgetary estimates
for cabling upgrades and the other recommendations listed in the ECR
•Logistics support to
contractors and end-users for removal of cabling, including transporting
discarded materials off-site, recycling, and a Certificate of Waste
Diversion
•Access to DuPont Preferred
Contractor Network, consisting of pre-qualified and trained removal and
recycle specialists
 To learn
more, contact DuPont at 1-866-FUELOAD.
or visit
www.cablingsolutions.dupont.com
*CRE Partners is not responsible for the content, validity,
technical accuracy or other claims or information contained in this
article. Feature Articles are often authored by outside sources
and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of CRE Partners.
Further, publication of articles in the CRE Partners Newsletter and/or
web site is not meant to represent, promote, or endorse any company,
brand, product or solution.
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