Telecommunications Spaces

Scope: the design and construction of telecommunications spaces

What is telecommunication space?

Telecommunications spaces are the rooms and areas where

telecommunications cabling
Systems are terminated, cross connected, and interconnected to installed
telecommunications
Equipment
Bonding and grounding (earthling), fire stopping, and labeling of
Telecommunications infrastructure also occur in telecommunications spaces.
The following telecommunications spaces:
a. Telecommunications enclosure (TE)
b. Telecommunications room (TR)
c. Equipment room (ER)
d. Entrance facility (EF)

Accessibility requirements for space considerations include the following

Telecommunications spaces that are intended to serve multiple tenants
should be located in common spaces that should be accessible through a
common corridor or outside door.
Entry to any locked telecommunications space shall be available through the
owners maintenance personnel, building management, or a common
key/access control credential.
Authorization shall be provided to each tenant.
Acoustic Noise Levels

Acoustic noise levels in telecommunications spaces should be kept

to a minimum by locating
noise-generating equipment (e.g., photocopy equipment, high-speed
printers, mechanical
equipment) outside the telecommunications spaces
Hearing protection may need to be worn inside the telecommunications
space.
The information technology systems (ITS) distribution designer should consult
with building managers or owners for suitability Sound barriers should be
specified if sources of
unacceptable noise cannot be located outside the telecommunications
spaces.
Administration
The ITS distribution designer should:

Keep records and other documentation pertaining to the design, layout, and
specifications
telecommunications pathways, spaces, and cabling systems
Establish a complete and systematic means of identifying elements of the
telecommunications infrastructure.
Establish procedures for the ongoing administration of the
telecommunications system as changes occur.
Provide all pertinent documentation on administration to on-site personnel
representing the building owner or agent when the installation is completed.
Ensure that all telecommunications spaces have appropriate signs to identify
the space and are included within the security plan of the building.
Use color-coded cross-connect fields to facilitate cabling administration. Wellorganized color coding enables identifying backbone and horizontal cabling
quickly and helps to ensure that cabling topology requirements are met.
Accepted methods for color coding cross-connect fields include the use of
colored backboards, connections, covers, or labels.
Cable Separation

Telecommunications cables should be separated from possible sources of

electromagnetic interference (EMI) and from possible radio frequency
interference (RFI).
For safety purposes, power cables should be separated from
telecommunications cables.
Ceilings
The general requirements for ceilings in telecommunications spaces include
the following:
The minimum ceiling height should be 2.4 meters (m [8 feet (ft)])
above finished floor (AFF). Consideration should be given to having a
3 m (10 ft) height.
When a ceiling distribution system is used, telecommunications spaces
should be designed with adequate pathways or openings through walls
and other obstructions into the accessible ceiling space.
Alterations of structural steel or structural concrete require the
approval of a structural engineer.
To permit maximum flexibility and accessibility of cabling pathways,
suspended ceilings are not recommended in telecommunications
spaces unless an underfloor distribution system (e.g., access floor) is
used.
Equipment may require additional ceiling clearance, depending upon
the manufacturers specifications. Excessive equipment and rack,
cabinet, or enclosure height should be voided because it may require
special lighting and wider working clearances (e.g., taller than 2.4 m
[8 ft] AFF).

The ceiling finish should minimize dust and be light colored to enhance
the room lighting.

Clearances
The following clearances should be provided for equipment and cross-connect fields
in
telecommunications spaces:
Provide 1 m (3.28 ft) of clear, unobstructed space for the installation
and maintenance of all cabling and equipment mounted on walls,
racks, cabinets, or enclosure.
It may not be possible to achieve 1 m (3.28 ft) of clear, unobstructed
space when cabling is mounted below access floors or above ceilings.
In such cases, provide as much clear, unobstructed space as possible.
Provide at least 150 millimeters (mm [6 inches (in)]) depth off the
wall for wall-mounted equipment.
Allocate a space of at least 1 m (3.28 ft) wide, 1 m (3.28 ft) deep,
and 2.3 m (7.5 ft)
high for each equipment rack, cabinet, or enclosure.
Provide space for an aisle of at least 1 m (3.28 ft) wide in the front
and in the rear of the space for each equipment rack, cabinet, or
enclosure. This clearance space shall take into account the depth of
rack-mounted equipment as well as wall-mounted equipment and
hardware.
In corners, a minimum side clearance of 300 mm (12 in) is
recommended.
Consult the manufacturers documentation and local codes for specific
requirements.
The ITS distribution designer should always consider adequate clear
space in the area of cabling terminations and equipment connections
for safety considerations.
NOTE: In many cases, equipment and connecting hardware may extend
beyond racks, cabinets, enclosures, and backboards. It is important to
note that the clearance is measured from the outermost surface of these
devices rather than from the mounting surface of the rack, cabinet,
enclosure, or backboard.
Codes, Standards, and Regulations
All applicable codes, standards, and regulations during the design, construction, and
use of telecommunications spaces should be observed. See Appendix A: Codes,
Standards,
Regulations, and Organizations for additional details.