Version 1.0, February 1996

1. Introduction

The George Washington University campus has installed a high capacity underground Interbuilding Communications Conduit System (ICCS). This ICCS provides the physical infrastructure necessary to support campus communications system media of all types into the foreseeable future. The following standards and procedures are intended to maximize ICCS utilization through efficient and uniform management of the facility.

Use of the ICCS is currently managed by the Director of Technology - ISS. As the management authority for the ICCS, ISS will provide departments and contractors with routing details, conduit assignments and authorization for use of the ICCS. To ensure optimum use and management of the ICCS it is required that all cable runs through the ICCS be approved by ISS prior to the initiation of work. Planning and design assistance and authorization for installations can be attained by calling the Director of Technology - ISS at (202) 994-6005. ISS will develop and provide a graphical plan for cable installation and an ISS cable installation agreement to be signed by the installer or contractor.

2. Definitions

The ICCS consists of conduit banks interconnecting a series of underground "communications vaults" (CV's). Conduit paths from the ICCS CV's provide access to individual campus buildings. For the purposes of orientation and numbering of CV's, banks, and conduits the ICCS should be considered as beginning at the northwest corner of the campus moving east and south toward the southeast corner. This continues the historical order in which existing CV's were numbered.

2.1 Conduit Banks

A new ICCS conduit bank typically consists of fifteen (15) four inch diameter conduits encased in steel reinforced concrete. A sixteenth conduit may be present below the conduit bank, and is intended for drainage between CV's. No cabling should be run through the sixteenth conduit.

2.1.1 Conduit Bank Numbering

Conduit banks are numbered and labeled as to their destinations with permanent markings above the bank on the wall of the CV. Banks are numbered in a clockwise manner as viewed from above.

2.1.2 Conduit Numbering

Within a given conduit bank individual conduits are numbered from the upper left to the right by row, when viewed facing away from the Academic Center.

2.1.3 Conduit Usage

The intended usage of individual conduits within conduit banks have been functionally allotted on the basis of media type.

2.2 Communications Vaults (CV)

The underground communications vaults are located wherever a significant change in the direction of a main conduit bank is necessary or a building feeder intersects the ICCS. These vaults provide access for installation and splicing of media, and may be used to locate some in-line communications equipment. CV's are numbered CV1 through CVnn in the historical order of their construction. Numbering is in the form of raised welds on the CV hatch covers. CV's are of two types, Access Boxes and Pull Boxes.

2.2.1 Access Boxes

The interior of an "access box" CV is at least 6 feet by 8 feet in plan, and 7 feet in height. The 6 foot sides are typically used for the main conduit bank penetrations. The 8 foot sides are used for feeder conduit banks or for branch main conduit banks. Access Boxes are capped with 36 inch diameter steel hatch covers secured with two pentagonal-head bolts.

2.2.2 Pull Boxes

Where a CV is required only to accommodate a change in ICCS direction a "pull box" is used. These vaults are typically 5 feet by 5 feet in plan, and 7 feet in height. The main conduit banks usually will penetrate 2 adjacent sides. Pull boxes are capped with 36 inch diameter steel hatch covers secured with two McGard INTIMIDATOR high security bolts.

2.2.3 Handholes

Handholes are small pull boxes installed at ground level to facilitate cable pulling and are not a part of the ICCS. They may be found throughout campus in older building feeder conduits and range in size from 2 feet by 2 feet in plan to much larger. Handholes are typically 1 to 3 feet in depth and are capped with hinged, or removable, metal covers. Handholes are not numbered.

3. Cable Installation Procedures

As a service ISS will supply a detailed plan of the ICCS showing each section through which planned cable runs are to be made. The procedures outlined below must be agreed to and followed by all cable installers.

3.1 Conduit Assignments

Without exception, the assignment of all conduits for a given cable installation will be made and specified by ISS.

3.2 Cable routing within CV's

Cable routing within CV's will be graphically indicated on ISS cable installation plans provided to cabling installers. In general, cable routing within CV's must meet the following criteria to be acceptable.

- Cable loops and excessive slack shall not be left in CV's

- The center of all CV's must be kept clear of cable

- Installed cables must not block access to unused conduits

- Cables must not arbitrarily block blank wall space

- Cables must not be secured to other cables

- All cabling must be firmly secured to Unistrut on CV walls

- Installers must adhere to bend radius restrictions particular to specific cable types

- Fiber optic cable must be encased in innerduct and labeled as fiber optic cable

- Each cable must be labeled at every transition through a CV or handhole

- Installers must insure that pull cords are left in all conduits after cables are installed

3.3 Securing Cables

All CV's are constructed with Unistrut channel cast into the CV walls. Cables are to be secured with cable ties to horizontal brackets mounted to the Unistrut. Contractors are to supply and install horizontal mounts where needed. Horizontal mounts must not be overloaded.

3.4 Labeling Cables

Each cable shall be labeled at each transition through a CV or handhole. Labels are to be permanent, waterproof, and firmly attached to the cable.

3.4.1 Fiber Optic Cable

All fiber optic cables are to be fully encased in innerduct throughout CV, pull box, or handhole transitions. Innerduct shall be brightly colored (orange, red, or yellow) in order to clearly identify it as containing fiber optic cable. All innerduct shall be labeled as containing fiber optic cable.

3.4.2 ISS-Owned Cables

The labeling format for ISS-owned cables is : "ISS-BLD1-BLD2-Cable#. BLD1 and BLD2 refer to a three letter abbreviation for the names of buildings at the cable ends. Cable# is a unique number assigned by ISS to each data cable run on the campus. Cable labels for ISS-owned cables will be supplied by ISS and installed by cable installation personnel.

3.4.3 Non-ISS-Owned Cables

Labels for non-ISS-owned cables will approximate the above format. The name of the appropriate department or service unit responsible for the cable, and building names shall be included on the label, Cable# will not be included on the labels. Labels will be supplied by the department, or service unit, owning and installing the cable.

3.5 Equipment Installed in CV's

Where it is necessary to install equipment in CV's, such as CATV repeaters or splice cases, ISS shall approve and specify locations for all such installations. In general, equipment installed in CV's must be permanently mounted to CV walls in such a manner as not to obstruct access to conduits or mounting blocks or inhibit future cable or equipment installations. All equipment mounted inside CV's is to be rated submersible not raintight.

3.6 Securing CV Covers

When cable installations are complete all CV covers must be bolted firmly in place with two McGard INTIMIDATOR high-security bolts removed for CV access.

3.7 Safety Precautions

3.7.1 General Safety

There is a routinely high volume of pedestrian traffic on the campus including the visually impaired. At no time may an open CV, pull box, or handhole be left unattended.

3.7.2 Confined Spaces

All cable installation personnel, contractors, and subcontractors working within the ICCS must conform to the guidelines for confined spaces as set forth in:

1. District of Columbia Code of Regulations.

2. ANSI Z117.1 - 1989 "Safety Requirements for Confined Spaces"