SUNY-Fredonia Version 1.1, December 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 Technology Services (ITS), under the direction of the Chief
Information Officer, is building and maintaining a “state of the art”
high-speed data communication system suitable for interconnecting advanced
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 SUNY-Fredonia campus network also ties into
networks on other nearby campuses and national and international networks. The
SUNY-Fredonia 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 ITS 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 ITS.
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 a single person residential unit.
Residential units with more than two 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 12/26/1997 by Donald L. Steward, Ed. D., R.C.D.D.
Send comments to: dsteward@iun.edu