Specific Infrastructure Requirements for Data Communication Services

Version 1.1, March 1997

1. Introduction

These requirements supplement the general requirements given in the "Intrabuilding Communications Infrastructure Requirements" section of this planning guide. They present detail regarding the specific needs of modern data communications systems

Information Systems and Services (ISS), under the direction of the Associate Vice President, Information Systems and Services (VP-ISS), is building and maintaining a "state of the art" high speed data communication systems suitable for interconnecting at least 10,000 workstations and computers. These computers are located throughout the campus, in campus administered research sites, in campus operating residential units, and within campus leased facilities. The technology used has changed considerably over the last 10 years and can be expected to continue to do so, perhaps at an even faster rate. The GW campus network also ties into networks on other nearby campuses and national and international networks. The GW Campus Communication Network provides high speed access to information and distributed resources, both on and off of campus.

This document deals only with the infrastructure for wiring within a building. It does not define specific media or termination hardware to be installed since that is expected to change over time. Each construction designer should request from ISS the current campus standards regarding data communications media and termination. Variations on the specifications defined in this construction planning guide may be proposed but must not be implemented without review and approval from ISS.

2. Density of Communications Outlets

Data communications outlets should be located wherever workstations might be required over the life of the building. It is not necessary to wire each outlet, but providing the conduit and outlet box during general construction will be much less costly than retrofitting them later. Therefore, in designing new or renovated facilities the following rules are to be applied:

2.1 Density by Assignable Floor Area

A communications network outlet shall be provided for each 100 to 200 square feet of assignable floor space. This density may be modified based on consideration of current and projected usage. For example, a museum would require fewer outlets; a teaching laboratory would probably require more.

2.2 Minimum Density in Office Space

No fewer than 2 communications outlets shall be provided in any assignable office space unless that space is smaller than 100 square feet. This rule was made because it is often necessary to connect more than one workstation device in an office, perhaps to utilize different communication technologies or to perform complementary functions.

2.3 Classrooms

Current practice is to provide 2 data communications outlets in general purpose classrooms: one near the lecture area and the other near the rear of the room where projection equipment might be located.

2.4 Residential Units

One connection shall be provided for each resident in a residential unit. If study areas are in common, two or more connections can be served from the same outlet location. Typically a single communications outlet will contain the voice, data ,and video connections for two or three person residential unit. Residential units with more than three occupants may have multiple communications outlets.

The standards in 2.1 and 2.2 above should be used in administrative areas, central study areas, etc.

3. Communications Service Entrance Room

The main data communications service equipment for a building will be located in the CSER.

There must be an area dedicated to data communications systems that consists of an 8' wide wall section and 6' clearance in front of that wall. Two sheets of 4' by 8' by 3/4" AC fire retardant plywood are to be mounted on the 8' wall section. Two 20 amp, 120 VAC isolated ground power circuits are to be provided with standard double duplex electrical outlets.

4. Communications Service Distribution Closets

CSDC's are where the interconnection between station cables and the communications trunk system are made. Electronic equipment may be located in any CSDC. A dedicated 20 amp, 120 VAC, isolated ground power circuit is to be provided in each closet, with standard double duplex electrical outlets. A 4' by 8' by 3/4" AC grade fire retardant plywood panel is to be mounted to the wall in each closet. At least 4 feet of clearance is to be provided in front of that wall.

5. Communication Outlets

A communications outlet serves as the connection point for one computer or other device that will be attached to the communications service. "Daisy chaining" of devices is not allowed. It is essential that each device have its own station cable so that the type of service can be specific to that device, and to ease problem resolution.

5.1 Locations

Outlets should be located near where it is anticipated that service will be required. It is not acceptable to assume that cables can be run along baseboards later. For example, in a typical office outlet boxes would be located on opposite walls so that service can be provided readily however the occupant chooses to arrange desks, etc.

In most locations, the communications outlet is to be positioned so that its centerline is 18" above the finished floor. In laboratories, outlets should be centered 12" above bench surfaces. Exceptions may be made in areas where this is impractical, such as large classrooms or wet rooms.

5.2 Connections

Typically one data communication service connection is provided in each outlet box. However, if necessary two connections can be provided from one box if the infrastructure is built as specified.

6. Relationship to Telephone Wiring

Telephone wiring may share the same horizontal distribution cable trays, conduit, and fixture boxes. However, in most cases telephone wiring must terminate in a separate fixture mounted on the box. The technology supporting telephone service is not expected to change radically while the technologies supporting data communications are evolving rapidly and will require changing physical media several times over the life of campus structures.

7. Relationship to Cable Television Wiring

Cable television (CATV) wiring may share the same horizontal distribution cable trays, conduit, and fixture boxes. However, in all cases CATV wiring will terminate in a self-terminating fixture mounted in the box. The technology supporting basic CATV service is not expected to change radically while the technologies supporting data communications are evolving rapidly and will require changing physical media several times over the life of campus structures.

If the conduit feed from the horizontal distribution to the outlet box locations is shared, the main feed conduit must be 1" and the feed between boxes must be 3/4". See figure 1 in the "Intrabuilding Communication Infrastructure Requirements" section for a typical detail. The inter-box conduit loop as drawn in that figure is designed to minimize potential stress on fiber optic cable.


Created 03/03/1997 by Donald L. Steward, Ed. D., R.C.D.D.

Send comments to : dsteward@iun.edu