ABANDONED CABLE REMOVAL

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ABANDONED CABLE REMOVAL

• Big Opportunity for Contractors
• By Frank Bisbee

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Before we start VDV/IBS Conference
attendees   Our job is to deliver a quality
presentation. Your task is to gather valuable
information.   If you finish before me, Please
leave the room quietly So you don't wake the
others
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WHAT IS ABANDONED CABLE ?
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WARNING

• Cabling installation is not for the untrained
• CAT6 cabling systems are CRAFT INTENSIVE
• Extreme care must be used when installing or
  servicing CAT6 cable systems
• MARCS Moves, Adds, Removals, Changes demand
  the same level of care
• Our surveys indicate this is a universal rule for
  all (Vendors) CAT6 cabling systems

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National Electrical Code NEC 2002

• The definition of abandoned cable, as found in
  paragraphs 800.2 and 770.2 of the NEC 2002 Book,
  states "....Installed communications cable that
  is not terminated at both ends at a connector or
  other equipment and not identified "For Future
  Use" with a tag."

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Codes Standards ?

• The Codes ensure minimum construction quality and
  ensure safety of life, health and property.
• Standards, on the other hand, guarantee that the
  voice outlet will work. electricians, Inspectors
  and Low Voltage contractors use the NEC 2002
  Codebook for installation and inspections

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NEC 2002

• The definition of abandoned cable, as found in
  paragraphs 800.2 and 770.2 of the NEC 2002 Book,
  states "....Installed communications cable that
  is not terminated at both ends at a connector or
  other equipment and not identified "For Future
  Use" with a tag."
• The Codes ensure minimum construction quality and
  ensure safety of life, health and property.

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For copper cable, paragraph 800.52(B) of the NEC
Code states "...The accessible portion of
abandoned communications cables shall not be
permitted to remain.." Additionally, paragraph
800.52(1) states that abandoned cables in
vertical runs shall not be permitted to remain.
Article 770 states the same requirements for
optical fiber risers and horizontal cables.
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Identify abandoned cables per 2002 NEC
requirements Tag, Inventory Document existing
Abandoned Cable Telephone Data circuits,
telecom network equipment
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Why does abandoned cable present such a problem?
The accumulation of miles and miles of cabling
left in the ceilings and walls of facilities has
become a major concern for life safety over the
past 10 years. Cables that are abandoned in
ceilings, riser systems, and air-handling systems
are a source for fueling fire, smoke, and
sublethal toxic fumes that can incapacitate. In
addition, PVC jackets tend to break down over
time. This decomposition process is accelerated
by exposure to increased temperatures and
humidity.
The new fire safety provision to require the
removal of abandoned cable is the first change to
cabling requirements in the National Electrical
Code in more than 20 years.
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• Tag Inventory abandoned cable equipment in
  Riser Telecommunication Rooms Plenum areas
• On-site assessment of propertys
  telecommunications infrastructure and
  development potential
• Inspection and inventory of existing
  telecommunications infrastructure and pathways
• Summary recommendations

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• On-site identification tagging of abandoned
  riser cabling, hardware equipment by field
  technician
• Removal of tagged cable, hardware, and
  equipment is available
• Progress reports at regular intervals for
  duration of the project

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According to estimates, there is more than 45
billion feet of plenum cable in place in
buildings. The National Electrical Code (NEC
2002) requires that all abandoned copper and
fiber cable be removed.
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As the code is enforced across the country,
building owners and tenants could face thousands
of dollars in additional cost to remove and
dispose of the abandoned cables, tag and manage
the remaining cable plant in their riser and
communications areas, and ensure that tenants
install proper cables to meet the building
requirements for fire and safety of their other
tenants.
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The Enforcers
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) The
Authority Having Jurisdiction is the
organization, office and/or individual
responsible for approving equipment, an
installation, or a procedure. Note the phrase
authority having jurisdiction is used in a
broad manner since jurisdictions and approval
agencies vary as do their responsibilities. Approv
ed Acceptable to the Authority Having
Jurisdiction (AHJ)
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BOMA International recommends that you begin
immediately to survey your buildings. Are there
wires that are not being used? If so, identify
the wiring by the service they performed, and the
brand or model of cable. The NEC 2002 allows
certain types of wires to be retained if they are
tagged for future use. Any cable that is not in
the category permitted for future use must be
removed.
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All cabling end users should understand the
implications of not complying with these new NEC
Codes. They are based on safety of the employees
and rescue personnel. Ignoring safety measures
creates the potential for legal actions.
Complying with safety measures produces longer
installation times and expenses in the form of
TM expenses for removal and labeling For
Future Use.
Cabling Installers are required to inform end
users about these new codes and their potential
impacts.
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REMOVE, REUSE, OR RECYCLE
Rip it out, throw it away thats the easy
way? Test it, tag it, and turn it into an
asset? Audit and document the hard
infrastructure? Be the building owners and
tenants best friend. The cabling systems are not
a throw away expense.
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For additional information Visit
www.wireville.com Communication Planning
Corporation 4160 Southside Blvd., Suite
3 Jacksonville, FL 32216-5470 Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone] www.communicationplanning.com Fr
ank Bisbee, President frank_at_wireville.com March
11, 2004