Importance of standards & codes based on structured cabling projects. The presentation highlights the importance of vetting structured cabling products at each level of the supply chain: manufacturer, distributor, contractor & installer, and end-user & consultant. The presentation given by comCables outlines 3 key tools to use when verifying that your products are meeting and exceeding performance and safety requirements.
7. Standards
Project and
implementation
ANSI/TIA 568 C.0-4
Varies depending on
supply chain
Project Safety Issues
Codes
Life Safety Issues
NEC & NFPA
CM, CMR, CMP
8. Tools
UL
Manufacturer
Directory
File # or Keyword
lookup
ETL
Verified Mark
Directory
Company Search
CCCA
Cable Check Mobile
App
UL Manufacturer File
# or Keyword lookup
13. Key Take
Aways
Download comCables- Bid Tool
Downloadable UL tool
Understand your responsibility
& why you need to care
▫ CCCA Article- Legal Risks
Do it right the 1st time
Continuing Education
Protect your friends and family
http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-1302513-blue-network-cables.php?st=2e58568Partnership between EEE and TIA/ANSI- How codes and standards are developed. Maybe NECIntroduce the slides and topics.Key take awaysToolsParties involved
4 Entities that need to comply with Codes and Standards ManufacturersDistributorsContractorsEnd Users
Distributors have a difficult task in that competition in many markets is Fierce. Any price advantage then brings a competitive edge.Quality, being Codes and Standards compliant does have a price tag associated with it.Many of the major distributors have QC departments that verify manufacturers’ claims, so what tools are available to the small distributors to make sure they are selling compliant materials?UL and ETL’s manufacturing directoriesCCCA Cable verifierRED FLAGS Common Sense; if something is too good to be TRUE, then it is FALSE. If manufacturer A,B,C and D are all within 15% of each other and then E comes along at 40% less, then odds are E is selling sub-standard or fraudulent materials.Manufacturer E should have to prove their compliance before being consideredUnknown Brand: Not all unknown brands are bad. We have to admit that every brand was unknown at one time. However, the burden of proof lies on the manufacturer when it comes to compliances with codes and standards so any unknown brand should be ready to demonstrate compliance as part of the distributors due diligence.CCCA has tested many unknown brands and the failure rates were AlarmingCMP and CMR Cable: 85% (Andy to verify)Patch Cords: 98%Internet based Distributors: Again, not all internet based distributors are guilty, but if you want to find Copper Clad Aluminum Category Cables being offered (which are both code and standards violations) then you will easily find it offered on the internet.Patch cords: IT departments, if you’re buying your patch cords off the internet then consider the 98% failure rate the CCCA discovered when testing these products to the standards. Source Checking- UL Hologram- Goes all the way to the end user
Installation practices. There are many professional organizations to choose from. Everybody was a rooky when they first started so in general.Assess your skill sets and needs for additional trainingAttend BICSI certified training programsParticipate in manufacturer’s warranty programFollow the ANSI/TIA 568 C. recommendationsInvest in a Tester that meets the level 3 or better requirementsit is category 0 until you perform that all import permanent link test and field verify the performance to the standard being installed
http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-24525842-group-of-students-working-at-computers-in-classroom.php?st=9598e87http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-15195806-businessman-with-laptop-in-room-with-red-and-white-wires.php?st=2e58568“Show Me” – Proof of ComplianceDo your homeworkSome may think it strange that we have included the end user as part of the quality control of a project but the truth is that there are TOO MANY end users who are woefully ignorant. This ignorance results in price being their only concern. That has led us into a market where almost anything goes and as long as it functions, call it good. That fact that the system does not perform as it should is not brought up. So how do we as a community help to educate them?Thorough Cut Sheets including the manufactures UL, ETL or CCCA verification off the respective directory.Why you test and with what type of instrumentWarranties you offerDocument your bid responses with a comprehensive responseAssociations you belong tooEnd users, consult with an RCDD for long term planning of your infrastructure needs.As an end user, you don’t necessarily need a RCDD or consultant. If you get submittals, test results, you have your codes and standards covered. If it passes a performance test, then you are able to verify what you purchased.
Key take away for project implementation
http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-4943671-building-on-fire.php?st=c98f096 Building in Guangzhou, ChinaSource: http://www.theguardian.com/news/2013/dec/16/best-pictures-of-the-day-liveCommunication Cable is a subset of the Electrical and falls under the NEC requirements and the purview of the NFPA.The important issue here is not an in-depth discussion of communication cable such as CMR versus CMP, rather compliance with these requirements and how to insure that.Home Depot and Target counterfeit cable. CO2 counterfeit detectors
