Information You Should Know
Copper and Fiber Optic Structured Cabling
Many contractors who install structured cabling think of it as just phone cable. It is very common to see the cable lying on top of drop ceilings, cables terminated with RJ-45 connectors, cables hanging out of holes in walls, or cabling looking like a big plate of spaghetti; this can be a direct violation of The National Electrical Code and hamper the performance of the cable The contractor leaves the site just hoping it works and if it does not work, the contractor blames the customer’s equipment.
In today’s fast moving communication infrastructure, this attitude is just not acceptable. Many companies have paid large sums of money for cabling that is not working to its fullest potential. Most of the electronic devices on each end of the cable will adapt to perform to the speed of the cable, meaning that the network is working but may be moving ten to one thousand times slower than it is capable of. The higher transmission speeds that are used today require a standards compliant installation. Cheating on the installation will no longer work.
ANSI/TIA/EIA is an organization that produces installation standards for both copper and fiber optic structured cabling installations. These standards are the minimum requirements necessary for your communication infrastructure to function properly. A standards compliant installation will be correctly labeled so that it is easy to use, the cable will be installed in proper supporting devices such as cable tray or j-hooks, the cable will be terminated on patch panels, blocks, or fiber distribution cabinets in the telecommunications room, the cable will be terminated in proper wall jacks at the work area, and each copper cable or strand of fiber will be tested and certified and an electronic or hard copy of each report will given to the owner. If you have never seen a cable test report, there is a very good chance your cable is not performing to its highest capability. To see a sample of a cable test report, please click this link, cable test report. You should receive one of these for every copper cable and every strand of fiber.
Standards compliant installations will also be installed by qualified technicians. How can your tell if you contractor is a qualified installer? He or she should employee BICSI Registered Installers or Technicians. A BICSI Registration is comparable to an electrician’s license for an electrician. It is a very accurate way determining who has had the proper training to install copper and fiber optic cabling. The contractor should also posses manufacturer’s certifications. A manufacturer’s certifications guarantees that the person you hired is qualified to install the product he or she is supplying to you. The Manufacturer’s certification will also allow the contractor to provide you with a warranty period well over 10 years for the installation.
Today’s structured cabling can no longer be installed like the phone cabling of the past. It is imperative to hire qualified installers and ensure that you are getting the installation you paid for.
Fire Alarm Systems
Many people get stuck with their fire alarm service company. The big name fire alarm companies convince architects, engineers, and owners that their product is simply the best and only their product has certain features. The property owner buys the fire alarm system for a reasonable installation cost, however after time the fire alarm system will require the inevitable service. The owner then pays $80 to $130 dollars per hour to have the system serviced. Upon looking to find a new fire alarm service company, he or she discovers that the big name fire alarm company sold them a proprietary system and only the big name fire alarm company can work on it. So the owner is now stuck with paying $80 to $130 dollars per hour for the life of the system or he or she can replace the system with a new one.
The truth is that there are many manufacturers of fire alarm systems that are equal to or better in some cases as the big name fire alarm companies’ systems. Installation of the systems runs about the same or less, but service rates can be as much as half of the service rates as the big name companies. Central Station monitoring is still available and so are annual service contracts. The good news is that your not stuck with one company. If you decide to change service companies, any reputable installer should be able to take it over. You can get the same service with products from companies such as FireLite or Silent Knight and save half the money.
