Amendment 0002 SPEC section 27 51 16.pdf

27 51 16-1

[Entire Section Added by Amendment 0001 dated 04/22/2026]

SECTION 27 51 16

PUBLIC ADDRESS AND MASS NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS

PART 1 - GENERAL

1.1 SECTION SUMMARY

A. Work covered by this document includes design, engineering, labor, material and products, equipment warranty and system warranty, training and services for, and incidental to, the complete, new, extended installation of an existing and fully operating National Fire

Protection Association (NFPA) – Life Safety Code 101.3-2 (a) Labeled and (b) Listed Emergency Service Public Address System (PAS) and associated equipment (here-in-after referred to as the System) in approved locations indicated on the contract drawings. These items shall be tested and certified capable of receiving, distributing, interconnecting, and supporting PAS communications signals generated locally and remotely as detailed herein.

B. Work shall be complete, Occupational Safety and Health Administration

(OSHA), National Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL – i.e.

Underwriters Laboratory [UL]) Listed and Labeled; and VA Central Office

(VACO), Telecommunications Voice Engineering (TVE 005OP3B) tested, certified and ready for operation.

C. The System shall be delivered free of engineering, manufacturing, installation, and functional defects. It shall be designed, engineered, and installed for ease of operation, maintenance, and testing.

D. The term “provide”, as used herein, shall be defined as: designed, engineered, furnished, installed, certified, and tested, by the

Contractor.

E. Specification Order of Precedence: In the event of a conflict between the text of this document and the Project’s Contract Drawings outlined and/or cited herein; THE TEXT OF THIS DOCUMENT TAKES PRECEDENCE.

HOWEVER, NOTHING IN THIS DOCUMENT WILL SUPERSEDE APPLICABLE EMERGENCY

LAWS AND REGULATIONS, SPECIFICALLY NATIONAL AND/OR LOCAL LIFE AND

PUBLIC SAFETY CODES. The Local Fire Marshall and/or VA Public Safety

Officer are the only authorities that may modify this document’s

EMERGENCY CODE COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS, on a case-by-case basis, in writing and confirmed by VA’s PM, COR and TVE-005OP3B. The VA PM is

27 51 16-2 the only approving authority for other amendments to this document that may be granted, on a case-by-case basis, in writhing with technical concurrencies by VA’s COR, TVE-005OP3B and identified Facility Project

Personnel.

F. The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Contractor shall ensure that all management, sales, engineering, and installation personnel have read and understand the requirements of this specification before the system is designed, engineered, delivered, and provided. The

Contractor shall furnish a written statement attesting this requirement as a part of the technical submittal that includes each name and certification, including the OEMs.

1.2 RELATED SECTIONS

A. 01 33 23 – Shop Drawings, Product Data and Samples.

B. 07 84 00 – Firestopping.

C. 26 05 19 – Low – Voltage Electrical Power Conductors and Cables.

D. 27 05 11 – Requirements for Communications Installations.

E. 27 05 26 – Grounding and Bonding for Communications Systems.

F. 27 05 33 – Raceways and Boxes for Communications Systems.

G. 27 10 00 – Control, Communication and Signal Wiring.

H. 27 11 00 – Communications Equipment Rooms Fittings.

I. 27 15 00 – Communications Structured Cabling.

1.3 DEFINITIONS

A. Provide: Design, engineer, furnish, install, connect complete, test, certify and warranty.

B. Work: Materials furnished and completely installed.

C. Review of contract drawings: A service by the engineer to reduce the possibility of materials being ordered which do not comply with contract documents. The engineer's review shall not relieve the

Contractor of responsibility for dimensions or compliance with the contract documents. The reviewer's failure to detect an error does not constitute permission for the Contractor to proceed in error.

D. Headquarters Technical Review, for National and VA communications and security, codes, frequency licensing, standards, guidelines compliance:

Office of Telecommunications

Special Communications Team (005OP2B)

1335 East West Highway – 3rd Floor

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

(O) 301-734-0350, (F) 301-734-0360

27 51 16-3

E. Owner:

F. Contractor: Radio Contractor; you; successful bidder

1.4 REFERENCES

A. The installation shall comply fully with all governing authorities, laws and ordinances, regulations, codes, and standards, including, but not limited to:

1. United States Federal Law:

a. Departments of:

1) Commerce, Consolidated Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 15 –

Under the Information Technology Management Reform Act (Public

Law 104-106), the Secretary of Commerce approves standards and guidelines that are developed by the:

a) Chapter II, National Institute of Standards Technology

(NIST – formerly the National Bureau of Standards). Under

Section 5131 of the Information Technology Management

Reform Act of 1996 and the Federal Information Security

Management Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-347), NIST develops

– Federal Information Processing Standards Publication

(FIPS) 140-2—Security Requirements for Cryptographic

Modules.

b) Chapter XXIII, National Telecommunications, and Information

Administration (NTIA – aka ‘Red Book’) Chapter 7.8 / 9;

CFR, Title 47 Federal communications Commission (FCC) Part

15, Radio Frequency Restriction of Use and Compliance in

“Safety of Life” Functions & Locations

2) FCC - Communications Act of 1934, as amended, CFR, Title 47 –

Telecommunications, in addition to Part 15 – Restrictions of use for Part 15 listed Radio Equipment in Safety of Life /

Emergency Functions / Equipment/ Locations (also see CFR, Title 15 – Department of Commerce, Chapter XXIII – NTIA):

a) Part 15 – Restrictions of use for Part 15 listed Radio

Equipment in Safety of Life / Emergency Functions /

Equipment/Locations.

b) Part 58 – Television Broadcast Service.

c) Part 90 – Rules and Regulations, Appendix C.

d) Form 854 – Antenna Structure Registration.

3) Health, (Public Law 96-88), CFR, Title 42, Chapter IV Health &

Human Services, CFR, Title 46, Subpart 1395(a)(b) JCAHO “a

27 51 16-4 hospital that meets JCAHO accreditation is deemed to meet the

Medicare conditions of Participation by meeting Federal

Directives:”

a) All guidelines for Life, Personal and Public Safety; and, Essential and Emergency Communications.

4) Labor, CFR, Title 29, Part 1910, Chapter XVII - Occupational

Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Occupational Safety and Health Standard:

a) Subpart 7 - Definition and requirements (for a NRTL – 15 c’s, for complete list, contact

(http://www.osha.gov/dts/otpca/nrtl/faq_nrtl.html):

1) UL:

a) 44-02 – Standard for Thermoset-Insulated Wires and

Cables.

b) 65 – Standard for Wired Cabinets.

c) 83-03 – Standard for Thermoplastic-Insulated Wires and Cables.

d) 467-01 – Standard for Electrical Grounding and

Bonding Equipment

e) 468 – Standard for Grounding and Bonding Equipment.

f) 486A-01 – Standard for Wire Connectors and Soldering

Lugs for Use with Copper Conductors

g) 486C-02 – Standard for Splicing Wire Connectors.

h) 486D-02 – Standard for Insulated Wire Connector

Systems for Underground Use or in Damp or Wet

Locations.

i) 486E-00 – Standard for Equipment Wiring Terminals for

Use with Aluminum and/or Copper Conductors.

j) 493-01 – Standard for Thermoplastic-Insulated

Underground Feeder and Branch Circuit Cable.

k) 514B-02 – Standard for Fittings for Cable and

Conduit.

l) 1069 – Hospital Signaling and Nurse Call Equipment.

m) 1333 – Vertical (Riser) Fire Rating.

n) 1449 – Standard for Transient Voltage Surge

Suppressors.

o) 1479-03 – Standard for Fire Tests of Through-

Penetration Fire Stops.

27 51 16-5

p) 1863 – Standard for Safety, Communications Circuits

Accessories.

q) 2024 – Standard for Optical Fiber Raceways.

r) 60950-1/2 – Information Technology Equipment –

Safety.

2) Canadian Standards Association (CSA): same tests as for

UL.

3) Communications Certifications Laboratory (CCL): same tests as for UL.

4) Intertek Testing Services NA, Inc. (ITSNA formerly

Edison Testing Laboratory [ETL]): same tests as for UL.

b) Subpart 35 – Compliance with NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code.

c) Subpart 36 - Design and construction requirements for exit routes.

d) Subpart 268 - Telecommunications.

e) Subpart 305 - Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use.

5) Department of Transportation, CFR, Title 49 (Public Law 89-

670), Part 1, Subpart C – Federal Aviation Administration

(FAA):

a) Standards AC 110/460-ID & AC 707 / 460-2E – Advisory

Circulars for Construction of Antenna Towers.

b) Forms 7450 and 7460-2 – Antenna Construction Registration.

6) Veterans Affairs (Public Law No. 100-527), CFR, Title 38, Volumes I & II:

a) Office of Telecommunications:

1) Handbook 6100 – Telecommunications.

a) Spectrum Management FCC & NTIA Radio Frequency

Compliance and Licensing Program.

b) Special Communications Proof of Performance Testing, VACO Compliance and Life Safety Certification(s).

b) Office of Cyber and Information Security (OCIS):

1) Handbook 6500 - Information Security Program.

2) Wireless and Handheld Device Security Guideline Version

3.2, August 15, 2005.

c) VA’s National Center for Patient Safety – Veterans Health

Administration Warning System, Failure of Medical Alarm

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Systems using Paging Technology to Notify Clinical Staff, July 2004.

d) VA’s Center for Engineering Occupational Safety and Health, concurrence with warning identified in VA Directive 7700.

e) Office of Construction and Facilities Management (CFM):

1) Master Construction Specifications (PG-18-1).

2) Standard Detail and CAD Standards (PG-18-4).

3) Equipment Guide List (PG-18-5.

4) Electrical Design Manual for VA Facilities (PG 18-10), Articles 7 & 8.

5) Minimum Requirements of A/E Submissions (PG 18-15):

a) Volume B, Major New Facilities, Major Additions; and

Major Renovations, Article VI, Paragraph B.

b) Volume C - Minor and NRM Projects, Article III, Paragraph S.

c) Volume E - Request for Proposals Design/Build

Projects, Article II, Paragraph F.

6) Mission Critical Facilities Design Manual (Final Draft –

2007).

7) Life Safety Protected Design Manual (Final Draft –

2007).

8) Solicitation for Offerors (SFO) for Lease Based Clinics

– (05-2009).

b. Federal Specifications (Fed. Specs.):

1) A-A-59544-00 - Cable and Wire, Electrical (Power, Fixed

Installation).

2. United States National Codes:

a. American Institute of Architects (AIA): Guidelines for Healthcare

Facilities.

b. American National Standards Institute/Electronic Industries

Association/Telecommunications Industry Association

(ANSI/EIA/TIA):

1) 568-B - Commercial Building Telecommunications Wiring

Standards:

a) B-1 – General Requirements.

b) B-2 – Balanced twisted-pair cable systems.

c) B-3 - Fiber optic cable systems.

27 51 16-7

2) 569 - Commercial Building Standard for Telecommunications

Pathways and Spaces.

3) 606 – Administration Standard for the Telecommunications

Infrastructure of Communications Buildings.

4) 607 – Commercial Building Grounding and Bonding Requirements for Telecommunications.

5) REC 127-49 – Power Supplies.

6) RS 160-51 – Sound systems.

7) RS 270 – Tools, Crimping, Solderless Wiring Devices, Recommended Procedures for User Certification.

8) SE 101-A49 – Amplifier for Sound Equipment

9) SE 103-49 – Speakers for Sound Equipment

c. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME):

1) Standard 17.4 – Guide for Emergency Personnel.

2) Standard 17.5 – Elevator & Escalator Equipment (prohibition of installing non-elevator equipment in Elevator Equipment Room /

Mechanical Penthouse).

d. American Society of Testing Material (ASTM):

1) D2301-04 - Standard Specification for Vinyl Chloride Plastic

Pressure Sensitive Electrical Insulating Tape.

e. Building Industries Communications Services Installation (BICSI):

1) All standards for smart building wiring, connections, and devices for commercial and medical facilities.

2) Structured Building Cable Topologies.

3) In consort with ANSI/EIA/TIA.

f. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE):

1) SO/TR 21730:2007 - Use of mobile wireless communication and computing technology in healthcare facilities -

Recommendations for electromagnetic compatibility (management of unintentional electromagnetic interference) with medical devices.

2) 0739-5175/08/©2008 IEEE – Medical Grade – Mission Critical –

Wireless Networks.

3) C62.41 – Surge Voltages in Low-Voltage AC Power Circuits.

g. NFPA:

1) 70 - National Electrical Code (current date of issue) –

Articles 517, 645 & 800.

27 51 16-8

2) 75 - Standard for Protection of Electronic Computer Data-

Processing Equipment.

3) 77 – Recommended Practice on Static Electricity.

4) 99 - Healthcare Facilities.

5) 101 - Life Safety Code.

6) 1600 – Disaster Management, Chapter 5.9 – Communications and

Warning

3. State Hospital Code(s).

4. Local Town, City and/or County Codes.

5. Accreditation Organization(s):

a. Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals Organization

(JCAHO) – Section VI, Part 3a – Operating Features.

1.5 QUALIFICATIONS

A. The OEM shall have had experience with three (3) or more installations of systems of comparable size and complexity with regards to type and design as specified herein. Each of these installations shall have performed satisfactorily for at least one (1) year after final acceptance by the user. Include the names, locations and point of contact for these installations as a part of the submittal.

B. The Contractor shall submit certified documentation that they have been an authorized distributor and service organization for the OEM for a minimum of three (3) years. The Contractor shall be authorized by the

OEM to pass thru the OEM’s warranty of the installed equipment to VA.

In addition, the OEM and Contractor shall accept complete responsibility for the design, installation, certification, operation, and physical support for the System. This documentation, along with the System Contractor and OEM certifications must be provided in writing as part of the Contractor’s Technical submittal.

C. The Contractor’s Communications Technicians assigned to the System shall be fully trained, qualified, and certified by the OEM on the engineering, installation, operation, and testing of the System. The

Contractor shall provide formal written evidence of current OEM certification(s) for the installer(s) as a part of the submittal or to the COR before being allowed to commence work on the System.

D. The Contractor shall display all applicable national, state and local licenses.

27 51 16-9

E. The Contractor shall submit copy (s) of Certificate of successful completion of OEM’s installation/training school for installing technicians of the System’s PA equipment being proposed.

1.6 CODES AND PERMITS

A. Provide all necessary permits and schedule all inspections as identified in the contract’s milestone chart, so that the system is proof of performance tested and ready for operation on a date directed by the Owner.

B. The contractor is responsible for adhering to all codes described herein and associated contractual, state, and local codes.

C. The Contractor shall display all applicable national, state and local licenses and permits.

1.7 SCHEDULING

A. After the award of contract, the Contractor shall prepare a detailed schedule (aka milestone chart) using “Microsoft Project” software or equivalent. The Contractor Project Schedule (CPS) shall indicate detailed activities for the projected life of the project. The CPS shall consist of detailed activities and their restraining relationships. It will also detail manpower usage throughout the project.

B. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to coordinate all work with the other trades for scheduling, rough-in, and finishing all work specified. The owner will not be liable for any additional costs due to missed dates or poor coordination of the supplying contractor with other trades.

1.8 REVIEW OF CONTRACT DRAWINGS AND EQUIPMENT DATA SUBMITTALS

(Note: The Contractor is encouraged, but not required, to submit separate technical submittal(s) outlining alternate technical approach(s) to the system requirements stated here-in as long as each alternate technical document(s) is complete, separate, and submitted in precisely the same manner as outlined herein. VA will review and rate each received alternate submittal, which follows this requirement, in exactly the same procedure as outlined herein. Partial, add-on, or addenda type alternates will not be accepted or reviewed.)

A. Submit at one time within 10 days of contract awarding, drawings and product data on all proposed equipment and system. Check for compliance with contract documents and certify compliance with

Contractor's "APPROVED" stamp and signature.

27 51 16-10

B. Support all submittals with descriptive materials, i.e., catalog sheets, product data sheets, diagrams, and charts published by the manufacturer. These materials shall show conformance to specification and drawing requirements.

C. Where multiple products are listed on a single cut-sheet, circle or highlight the one that you propose to use. Provide a complete and through equipment list of equipment expected to be installed in the system, with spares, as a part of the submittal. Special

Communications (TVE-005OP3B) will not review any submittal that does not have this list.

D. Provide four (4) copies to the PM for technical review. The PM will provide a copy to the offices identified in Paragraph 1.3.C & D, at a minimum for compliance review as described herein where each responsible individual(s) shall respond to the PM within 10 days of receipt of their acceptance or rejection of the submittal(s).

E. Provide interconnection methods, conduit (where not already installed), junction boxes (J-Boxes), cable, interface fixtures and equipment lists for the: ENR(s) ( aka DMARC), TER, TCR, MCR, MCOR, PCR, ECR, Stacked

Telecommunications Rooms (STR), Nurses Stations (NS), Head End Room

(HER), Head End Cabinet (HEC), Head End Interface Cabinet (HEIC) and approved TCO locations Telecommunications Infrastructure Plant (TIP) interface distribution layout drawing, as they are to be installed and interconnected to teach other (REFER TO APPENDIX B – SUGGESTED

TELECOMMUNI-CAITONS ONE LINE TOPOLOGY pull-out drawing).

F. Headend and each interface distribution cabinet layout drawing, as they are expected to be installed.

G. Equipment OEM technical literature detailing the electrical and technical characteristics of each item of equipment to be furnished.

H. Engineering drawings of the System, showing calculated of expected signal levels at the headend input and output, each input and output distribution point, and signal level at each telecommunications outlet.

I. Surveys Required as a Part of The Technical Submittal:

1. The Contractor shall provide the following System survey(s) that depict various system features and capacities required in addition to the on-site survey requirements described herein. Each survey shall be in writing and contain the following information (the formats are suggestions and may be used for the initial Technical

Submittal Survey requirements), as a minimum:

27 51 16-11

a. PA Cable System Design Plan:

1) An OEM and contractor designed functioning PA System cable plan to populate the entire TIP empty conduit/pathway distribution systems provided as a part of Specification 27 11

00 shall be provided as a part of the technical proposal. A specific functioning PA: cable, interfaces, J-boxes, and back boxes shall coincide with the total growth items as described herein. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to provide the

Systems’ entire PA cable and accessory requirements and engineer a functioning PA distribution system and equipment requirement plan of the following paragraph(s), at a minimum:

2) The required PA Equipment Locations:

EQUIPPED ITEM CAPACITY GROWTH

Master Control Stations

Telephone Operators Room

Police Control Room

Other

Zone Amplifiers

All Call (complete Zone 1)

Admissions (Zone 2)

Entrance (Zone 2a)

Pharmacy Dispensing (Zone 2a)

Agent Cashier (Zone 2a)

Other (Zone 2a)

Labs (Zone 3)

Blood (Zone 3a)

Dissecting (Zone 3a)

Other (Zone 3a)

Clinics (Zone 4)

Dental (Zone 4a)

Radiology (Zone 4a)

Oncology (Zone 4a)

Other (Zone 4a)

__________ (Zone 5)

__________ (Zone 5a)

__________ (Zone 5a)

27 51 16-12

EQUIPPED ITEM CAPACITY GROWTH

Other (Zone 5a)

Spare (Zones 6, 7 & 8)

Other (Zone __)

Supervisory Panel(s)

Trouble Panel(s)

Locations

Speakers

Overhead

Locations

Other

Outside

Horn

Power Supply(s)

Location

Other

UPS(s)

Location

Maintenance/Programming Console

Location(s)

Other

3) The required PA Cable Plant/Connections:

The Contractor shall clearly and fully indicate this category for each item identified herein as a part of the technical submittal. For this purpose, the following definitions and

27 51 16-13 sample connections are provided to detail the system’s capability:

EQUIPPED ITEM CAPACITY GROWTH

Central Control Cabinet/Equipment

Location

Power Supply(s)

UPS(s)

Essential Electrical Power

Panel(s)

Cable Plant

Supply to Locations Identified herein

Speaker Locations

Remote Locations

Telephone Operator Room

Police Control Room

Other

Maintenance/Program Console

Location(s)

Other

LAN (Local Facility)

Access/Equipment/Location (when pre-approved by TVE-005OP3B)

Wireless Access/Equipment/Location

(when pre-approved by TVE-005OP3B)

1.9 PROJECT RECORD DOCUMENTS (AS BUILTS)

A. Throughout progress of the Work, maintain an accurate record of changes in Contract Documents. Upon completion of Work, transfer recorded changes to a set of Project Record Documents.

B. The floor plans shall be marked in pen to include the following:

1. All device locations with UL labels affixed.

2. Conduit locations.

3. Head-end equipment and specific location.

4. Each interface and equipment specific location.

5. Facility Entrance (aka DEMARC) Room(s) interface equipment and location(s).

27 51 16-14

6. Telephone Equipment Room (TER) interface equipment and specific location.

7. Main Computer Room (MCR) interface equipment and specific location.

8. Police Control Room (PCR) interface equipment and specific location.

9. Engineering Control Room (ECR) interface equipment and specific location

10. Telecommunication Outlet (s –TCO) equipment and specific location

11. TIP Wiring diagram(s).

12. Warranty certificate.

13. System test results.

14. System Completion Document(s)or MOU.

1.10 WARRANTIES / GUARANTY

A. The Contractor shall warrant the installation to be free from defect in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years from the date of acceptance of the project by the owner. The Contractor shall agree to remedy covered defects within four (4) hours of notification of major failures or within twenty-four (24) hours of notification for individual station related problems.

B. The Contractor shall agree to grantee the system according to the guidelines outlined in Article 4 herein.

1.11 USE OF THE SITE

A. Use of the site shall be at the GC’s direction.

B. Coordinate with the GC for lay-down areas for product storage and administration areas.

C. Coordinate work with the GC and their sub-contractors.

D. Access to buildings wherein the work is performed shall be directed by the GC.

1.12 DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING

A. Deliver, store, and handle products using means and methods that will prevent damage, deterioration, and loss, including theft.

B. Store products in original containers.

C. Coordinate with the GC for product storage. There may be little or no storage space available on site. Plan to potentially store materials off site.

D. Do not install damaged products. Remove damaged products from the site and replaced with new product at no cost to the Owner.

27 51 16-15

1.13 PROJECT CLOSE-OUT

A. Prior to final inspection and acceptance of the work, remove all debris, rubbish, waste material, tools, construction equipment, machinery and surplus materials from the project site and thoroughly clean your work area.

B. Before the project closeout date, the Contractor shall submit:

1. Warranty certificate.

2. Evidence of compliance with requirements of governing authorities such as the Low Voltage Certificate of Inspection.

3. Project record documents.

4. Instruction manuals and software that is a part of the system.

C. Contractor shall submit written notice that:

1. Contract Documents have been reviewed.

2. Project has been inspected for compliance with contract.

3. Work has been completed in accordance with the contract.

PART 2 – PRODUCTS / FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

2.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

A. Furnish and install a complete and fully functional and operable Nurse

Call System for each location shown on the contract drawings and TCOs

WHOSE EMPTY CONDUIT SYSTEM WAS PROVIDED AS A PART OF SPECIFICATION 27

11 00. The system shall be an extension of the existing building nurse call system.

B. Coordinate features and select interface components to form an integrated PA system. Match components and interconnections between the systems for optimum performance of specified functions.

C. Expansion Capability: The PA equipment interfaces and cables shall be able to increase number of enunciation points in the future by a minimum of 50 percent (%) above those indicated without adding any internal or external components or main trunk cable conductors.

D. Equipment: Active electronic type shall use solid-state components, fully rated for continuous duty unless otherwise indicated. Select equipment for normal operation on input power usually supplied between

110 to 130 VAC, 60 Hz.

E. Meet all FCC requirements regarding low radiation and/or interference of RF signal(s). The system shall be designed to prevent direct pickup of signals from within and outside the building structure.

27 51 16-16

F. Weather/Waterproof Equipment: Listed and labeled by an OSHA certified

National Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL – i.e. UL) for duty outdoors or in damp locations.

G. Deliver a fully functioning and operable PA in the specific locations shown on the drawings.

2.1 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

A. Furnish and install a complete and fully functional and operable HF

Radio System. Provide additional require conduit(s) according to

Specification 27 11 00.

B. The Contractor shall continually employ interfacing methods that are approved by the OEM and VA. At a minimum, an acceptable interfacing method requires not only a physical and mechanical connection, but also a matching of signal, voltage, and processing levels with regard to signal quality and impedance. The total PA system shall be configured and installed so that the combination of equipment actually employed does not produce any undesirable visual or aural effects such as signal distortions, noise pulses, glitches, hum, transients, images, etc. The interface points must adhere to all standards described herein for the full separation of Critical Care and Life Safety systems.

C. It is not acceptable to utilize the telephone cable system for the control of radio signals and equipment. The System Contractor shall connect the Telephone System Remote Control System to the Radio System

Paging Control Unit ensuring that all NFPA and UL Critical Care and

Life Safety Circuit and System separation guidelines are satisfied.

The System Contractor is not allowed to make any connections to the

Telephone System. The Owner shall arrange for the interconnection between the PA and Telephone Systems with the appropriate responsible parties.

D. System hardware shall consist of a standalone (separate) PA communications network comprised of speakers, volume controls, wiring and other options such as, sub zoning in addition to “all call” functions. All necessary equipment required to meet the intent of these specifications, whether enumerated within these specifications, shall be supplied, and installed to provide a complete and operating system.

E. The PA Head End Equipment is existing. The PA shall provide zoned, one-way voice paging through distributed, ceiling mounted loudspeakers.

Voice input into the PA shall be by zone using the telephone system.

27 51 16-17

F. The System shall interface with the Facility’s existing PAS so that a global page (aka “all call” page) is communicated to the existing PAS and the new System of this project. Arrangements for interconnection of the System and the telephone system(s) shall be coordinated with the owner and the PBX provider.

G. The system shall be designed to provide continuous electrical supervision of the complete and entire system (i.e. light bulbs, wires, contact switch connections, master control stations, wall stations, circuit boards, data, audio, and communication busses, main and UPS power, etc.). All alarm initiating and signaling circuits shall be supervised for open circuits, short circuits, and system grounds. Main and UPS power circuits shall be supervised for a change in state (i.e.

primary to backup, low battery, UPS on line, etc.). When an open, short or ground occurs in any system circuit, an audible and visual fault alarm signal shall be initiated at the main supervisory panel, nurse control station and all remote amplifier locations.

H. All passive distribution equipment shall meet or exceed -80 dB radiation shielding (aka RFI) shielding specifications and be provided with screw type audio connectors.

I. All equipment face plates utilized in the system shall be stainless steel, anodized aluminum, or UL approved cycolac plastic for the areas where provided.

J. All trunk, branch, and interconnecting cables and unused equipment ports or taps shall be terminated with proper terminating resistors designed for RF, audio, and digital cable systems without adapters.

K. Noise filters and surge protectors shall be provided for each equipment interface cabinet, headend cabinet, control console and local and remote amplifier locations to Ensure protection from input primary AC power surges and to ensure noise glitches are not induced into low voltage data circuits.

L. Plug-in connectors shall be provided to connect all equipment, except coaxial cables and RF transmission line interface points. Coaxial cable distribution points and RF transmission lines shall use coaxial cable connections recommended by the cable OEM and approved by the system

OEM. Base band cable systems shall utilize barrier terminal screw type connectors, at a minimum. As an alternate, crimp type connectors installed with a ratchet type installation tool are acceptable provided the cable dress, pairs, shielding, grounding, connections and labeling

27 51 16-18 are the same as the barrier terminal strip connectors. Tape of any type, wire nuts or solder type connections are unacceptable and will not be approved.

M. The contractor is responsible for pricing all accessories and miscellaneous equipment required to form a complete operating system.

Unless otherwise noted in this Part, equipment quantities shall be as indicated on the drawings.

2.2 SYSTEM PRFORMANCE:

A. At a minimum, each distribution, interconnection, interface, terminating point and TCO shall be capable of supporting the Facility’s

PA system voice and data service as follows:

1. Shall be compliant with and not degrade the operating parameters of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and the Federal

Telecommunications System (FTS) at each PSTN and FTS interface, interconnection and terminating locations in the TERs.

2. Audio Input: The signal level of each audio input channel at each input point shall be a MINIMUM of zero decibels measured (dBm), +0.10 dBm across 150 Ohms, balanced.

3. Audio Output: The audio signal level at each speaker shall be a

MINIMUM of +0.25 Watt (W) and a maximum of +20 W, 600 Ohms balanced impedance, on a 70.7 V audio distribution line Contractor to determine and set each speaker’s proper audio signal level (top) based on speaker location and the ambient noise level in speaker coverage area.

4. The system shall meet the following MINIMUM parameters at each speaker:

a. Cross Modulation: -46 dB

b. Hum Modulation: -55 dB

c. Isolation (outlet-outlet): 24 dB

d. Impedance:

1) Distribution: 600 Ohm balanced @ 70.7 V audio line level.

2) Speaker: Selectable, as required.

e. Audio Gain: 10 dB minimum @ mid-range measured with a sound pressure level meter (SPL)

f. Signal to noise (S/N) ratio: 35 dB, minimum

2.3 MANUFACTURERS

A. The products specified shall be new, FCC and UL Listed, labeled and produced by OEM of record. An OEM of record shall be defined as a

27 51 16-19 company whose main occupation is the manufacture for sale of the items of equipment supplied and which:

1. Maintains a stock of replacement parts for the item submitted,

2. Maintains engineering drawings, specifications, and operating manuals for the items submitted, and

3. Has published and distributed descriptive literature and equipment specifications on the items of equipment submitted at least 30 days prior to the Invitation for Bid (IFB).

B. Specifications contained herein as set forth in this document detail the salient operating and performance characteristics of equipment in order for VA to distinguish acceptable items of equipment from unacceptable items of equipment. When an item of equipment is offered or furnished for which there is a specification contained herein, the item of equipment offered or furnished shall meet or exceed the specification for that item of equipment.

C. Equipment Standards and Testing:

1. The System has been defined herein as connected to systems identified as an Emergency performing Public Safety Support

Functions. Therefore, at a minimum, the system shall conform to all aforementioned National and/or Local Public and Life Safety Codes

(which ever are the more stringent), NFPA, NEC, this specification, JCAHCO Life Safety Accreditation requirements, and the OEM recommendations, instructions, and guidelines.

2. All supplies and materials shall be listed, labeled, or certified by

UL or a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) where such standards have been established for the supplies, materials, or equipment.

3. The provided equipment required by the System design and approved technical submittal must conform with each UL standard in effect for the equipment, as of the date of the technical submittal (or the date when the COR approved system equipment necessary to be replaced) was technically reviewed and approved by VA. Where a UL standard is in existence for equipment to be used in completion of this contract, the equipment must bear the approved UL seal.

4. Each item of electronic equipment to be provided under this contract must bear the approved UL seal or the seal of the testing laboratory that warrants the equipment has been tested in accordance with, and conforms to the specified standards. The placement of the UL Seal

27 51 16-20 shall be a permanent part of the electronic equipment that is not capable of being transportable from one equipment item to another.

2.4 PRODUCTS

A. General.

1. Contractor is responsible for pricing all accessories and miscellaneous equipment required to form a complete and operating system. The equipment quantities provided herein shall be as indicated on the drawings with the exception of the indicated spare equipment.

2. Contractor Furnished Equipment List (CFEs):

a. The Contractor is required to provide a list of the CFE equipment to be furnished. The quantity, make and model number of each item is required. Select the required equipment items quantities that will satisfy the needs of the system as described herein and with the OEM’s concurrence applied to the list(s), in writing.

b. The following equipment items are the minimum requirements of VA to provide an acceptable system described herein:

B. TIP DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM:

1. System Speakers:

a. Ceiling Cone-Type:

1) Minimum Axial Sensitivity: 91 dB at one meter, with 1-W input.

2) Frequency Response: Within plus or minus 3 dB from 70 to

15,000 Hz.

3) Minimum Dispersion Angle: 100 degrees.

4) Line Transformer: Maximum insertion loss of 0.5 dB, power rating equal to speaker's, and at least four level taps.

5) Enclosures: Steel housings or back boxes, acoustically dampened, with front face of at least 0.0478-inch steel and whole assembly rust proofed and factory primed; complete with mounting assembly and suitable for surface ceiling, flush ceiling, pendant or wall mounting; with relief of back pressure.

6) Baffle: For flush speakers, minimum thickness of 0.032-inch aluminum with textured white finish. Completely fill the baffle with fiberglass.

7) Vandal-Proof, High-Strength Baffle: For flush-mounted speakers, self-aging cast aluminum with tensile strength of

44,000 psi, 0.025-inch minimum thickness; countersunk heat-

27 51 16-21 treated alloy mounting screws; and textured white epoxy finish.

8) Size: 8 inches with 1-inch voice coil and minimum 5-oz.

ceramic magnet.

9) Have a minimum of two (2) safety wires installed to a solid surface or use a flexible conduit from ceiling / wall back box to the speaker back box.

10) The speakers and mounting shall be self-contained, and wall mounted with flush back box at a minimum of 10-meter intervals and shall match (or contrast with, at the direction of the RE) the color of the adjacent surfaces.

11) Provide one spare speaker, mount, and back box for each 50 speakers or portion thereof.

b. System Cables: In addition to the TIP provided under

Specification Section 27 15 00 – TIP Horizontal and Vertical

Communications Cabling, provide the following additional TIP installation and testing requirements, provide the following minimum System TIP cables & interconnections:

1) Line Level Audio and Microphone Cable:

a) Line level audio and microphone cable for inside racks and conduit.

b) Shielded, twisted pair Minimum 22 American Wire Gauge

(AWG), stranded conductors and 24 AWG drain wire with overall jacket.

2) Speaker Level (Audio 70.7Volt [V]) Cable, Riser Rated:

a) For use with 70.7 V audio speaker circuits.

b) 18 AWG stranded pair, minimum.

c) UL-1333 listed.

3) Speaker Level Audio Cable, Plenum Rated (70.7V):

a) For use with 70.7 V audio speaker circuits.

b) 18 AWG stranded pair, minimum.

4) All cabling shall be plenum rated.

5) Provide one (1) spare 1,000 foot roll of approved System (not microphone) cable only.

2. Raceways, Back Boxes, and conduit:

a. Raceways:

1) In addition to the Raceways, Equipment Room Fittings provided under Specification Sections 27 15 00 TIP Communication Room

27 51 16-22

Fittings and 27 15 00 – TIP Communications Horizontal and

Vertical Cabling, provide the following additional TIP raceway and fittings:

2) Each raceway that is open top, shall be: UL certified for telecommunications systems, partitioned with metal partitions in order to comply with NEC Parts 517 & 800 to “mechanically separate telecommunications systems of different service, protect the installed cables from falling out when vertically mounted and allow junction boxes to be attached to the side to interface “drop” type conduit cable feeds.

3) Intercommunication System cable infrastructure: EMT above accessible ceilings, 24 inches on center.

4) Junction boxes shall be not less than 2-1/2 inches deep and 6 inches wide by 6 inches long.

5) Flexible metal conduit is prohibited unless specifically approved by 005OP3B.

b. System Conduit:

1) The PA system is NFPA listed as Emergency / Public Safety

Communication System which requires the entire system to be installed in a separate conduit system.

2) The use of centralized mechanically partitioned wireways may be used to augment main distribution conduit on a case by case basis when specifically approved by VA Headquarters (005OP3B).

3) Conduit Sleeves:

a) The AE has made a good effort to identify where conduit sleeves through full-height and fire rated walls on the drawings, and has instructed the electrician to provide the sleeves as shown on the drawings.

b) While the sleeves shown on the drawings will be provided by others, the contractor is responsible for installing conduit sleeves and fire-proofing where necessary. It is often the case, that due to field conditions, the nurse-call cable may have to be installed through an alternate route. Any conduit sleeves required due to field conditions or those omitted by the engineer shall be provided by the cabling contractor.

3. Device Back Boxes:

27 51 16-23

a. Furnish to the electrical contractor all back boxes required for the PA system devices.

b. The electrical contractor shall install the back boxes as well as the system conduit. Coordinate the delivery of the back boxes

C. Installation Kit:

1. General: The kit shall be provided that, at a minimum, includes all connectors and terminals, labeling systems, audio spade lugs, barrier strips, punch blocks or wire wrap terminals, heat shrink tubing, cable ties, solder, hangers, clamps, bolts, conduit, cable duct, and/or cable tray, etc., required to accomplish a neat and secure installation. All wires shall terminate in a spade lug and barrier strip, wire wrap terminal or punch block. Unfinished or unlabeled wire connections shall not be allowed. Turn over to the RE all unused and partially opened installation kit boxes, coaxial, fiberoptic, and twisted pair cable reels, conduit, cable tray, and/or cable duct bundles, wire rolls, physical installation hardware. The following are the minimum required installation sub-kits:

2. System Grounding:

a. The grounding kit shall include all cable and installation hardware required. All radio equipment shall be connected to earth ground via internal building wiring, according to the NEC.

b. This includes, but is not limited to:

1) Coaxial Cable Shields.

2) Control Cable Shields.

3) Data Cable Shields.

4) Equipment Racks.

5) Equipment Cabinets.

6) Conduits.

7) Duct.

8) Cable Trays.

9) Power Panels.

10) Connector Panels.

11) Grounding Blocks.

3. Coaxial Cable: The coaxial cable kit shall include all coaxial connectors, cable tying straps, heat shrink tabbing, hangers, clamps, etc., required to accomplish a neat and secure installation.

27 51 16-24

4. Wire and Cable: The wire and cable kit shall include all connectors and terminals, audio spade lugs, barrier straps, punch blocks, wire wrap strips, heat shrink tubing, tie wraps, solder, hangers, clamps, labels etc., required to accomplish a neat and orderly installation.

5. Conduit, Cable Duct, and Cable Tray: The kit shall include all conduit, duct, trays, junction boxes, back boxes, cover plates, feed through nipples, hangers, clamps, other hardware required to accomplish a neat and secure conduit, cable duct, and/or cable tray installation in accordance with the NEC and this document.

6. Equipment Interface: The equipment kit shall include any item or quantity of equipment, cable, mounting hardware, and materials needed to interface the systems with the identified sub-system(s) according to the OEM requirements and this document.

7. Labels: The labeling kit shall include any item or quantity of labels, tools, stencils, and materials needed to completely and correctly label each subsystem according to the OEM requirements, as-installed drawings, and this document.

8. Documentation: The documentation kit shall include any item or quantity of items, computer discs, as installed drawings, equipment, maintenance, and operation manuals, and OEM materials needed to completely and correctly provide the system documentation as required by this document and explained herein.

PART 3 - EXECUTION

3.1 PROJECT MANAGEMENT

A. Assign a single project manager to this project who will serve as the point of contact for the Owner, the General Contractor, and the

Engineer.

B. The Contractor shall be proactive in scheduling work at the hospital, specifically the Contractor will initiate and maintain discussion with the general contractor regarding the schedule for ceiling cover up and install cables to meet that schedule.

C. Contact the Office of Telecommunications, Special Communications Team

(005OP3B) at (301) 734-0350 to have a VA Certified Telecommunications

COR assigned to the project for telecommunications review, equipment and system approval and co-ordination with VA’s Spectrum Management and

OCIS Teams.

27 51 16-25

3.2 COORDINATION WITH OTHER TRADES

A. Coordinate with the cabling contractor the location of the PA system faceplate and the faceplate opening for the PA system back boxes.

B. Coordinate with the cabling contractor the location of TIP equipment in the TER, TCR, PA, PCR, SCC, ECR, STRs, NSs, HER and TCOs in order to connect to the TIP cable network that was installed as a part of

Section Specification 27 11 00. Contact the COR immediately, in writing, if additional location(s) are discovered to be activated that was not previously provided.

C. Before beginning work, verify the location, quantity, size and access for the following:

1. Isolated ground AC power circuits provided for systems.

2. Junction boxes, wall boxes, wire troughs, conduit stubs and other related infrastructure for the systems.

3. System components installed by others.

4. Overhead supports and rigging hardware installed by others.

D. Immediately notify the Owner, GC and Consultant(s) in writing of any discrepancies

3.3 NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Provide a one-on-one meeting with the particular manager of each unit affected by the installation of the new PA system. Review the floor plan drawing, educate the nursing manager with the functions of the equipment that is being provided and gather details specific to the individual units; coverage and priorities of calls; staffing patterns;

and other pertinent details that will affect system programming and training.

3.4 INSTALLATION

A. General

1. Execute work in accordance with National, State, and local codes, regulations, and ordinances.

2. Install work neatly, plumb, and square and in a manner consistent with standard industry practice. Carefully protect work from dust, paint and moisture as dictated by site conditions. The Contractor will be fully responsible for protection of his work during the construction phase up until final acceptance by the Owner.

3. Install equipment according to OEM’s recommendations. Provide any hardware, adaptors, brackets, rack mount kits or other accessories recommended by OEM for correct assembly and installation.

27 51 16-26

4. Secure equipment firmly in place, including receptacles, speakers, equipment racks, system cables, etc.

a. All supports, mounts, fasteners, attachments, and attachment points shall support their loads with a safety factor of at least

5:1.

b. Do not impose the weight of equipment or fixtures on supports provided for other trades or systems.

c. Any suspended equipment or associated hardware must be certified by the OEM for overhead suspension.

d. The Contractor is responsible for means and methods in the design, fabrication, installation and certification of any supports, mounts, fasteners and attachments.

5. Locate overhead ceiling-mounted loudspeakers as shown on drawings, with minor changes not to exceed 12” in any direction.

a. Mount transformers securely to speaker brackets or enclosures using screws. Adjust torsion springs as needed to securely support speaker assembly.

b. Speaker back boxes shall be completely filled with fiberglass insulation.

c. Seal cone speakers to their enclosures to prevent air passing from one side of the speaker to the other.

6. Finishes for any exposed work such as plates, racks, panels, speakers, etc. shall be approved by the Architect, Owner and

005OP3B.

7. Coordinate cover plates with field conditions. Size and install cover plates as necessary to hide joints between back boxes and surrounding wall. Where cover plates are not fitted with connectors, provide grommeted holes in size and quantity required.

Do not allow cable to leave or enter boxes without cover plates installed.

8. Active electronic component equipment shall consist of solid state components, be rated for continuous duty service, comply with the requirements of FCC standards for telephone and data equipment, systems, and service.

9. Color code all distribution wiring to conform to the PA Industry

Standard, EIA/TIA, and this document, whichever is the more stringent. At a minimum, all equipment, cable duct and/or conduit, enclosures, wiring, terminals, and cables shall be clearly and

27 51 16-27 permanently labeled according to and using the provided record drawings, to facilitate installation and maintenance.

10.Connect the System’s primary input AC power to the Facility’

Critical Branch of the Emergency AC power distribution system as shown on the plans or if not shown on the plans consult with RE regarding a suitable circuit location prior to bidding.

11.Product Delivery, Storage and Handling:

a. Delivery: Deliver materials to the job site in OEM's original unopened containers, clearly labeled with the OEM's name and equipment catalog numbers, model and serial identification numbers. The COR may inventory the cable, patch panels, and related equipment.

b. Storage and Handling: Store and protect equipment in a manner, which will preclude damage as directed by the COR.

B. Wiring Practice - in addition to the MANDATORY infrastructure requirements outlined in VA Construction Specifications 27 10 00 – TIP

Structured Communications Cabling, 27 11 00 – TIP Communications Rooms

Fittings and 27 15 00 – TIP Horizontal and Vertical Communicators

Cabling, the following additional practices shall be adhered too:

1. Comply with requirements for raceways and boxes specified in

Division 26 Section "Raceway and Boxes for Electrical Systems."

2. Execute all wiring in strict adherence to the National Electrical

Code, applicable local building codes and standard industry practices.

3. Wiring shall be classified according to the following low voltage signal types:

a. Balanced microphone level audio (below -20dBm) or Balanced line level audio (-20dBm to +30dBm)

b. 70V audio speaker level audio.

c. Low voltage DC control or power (less than 48VDC)

4. Where raceway is to be EMT (conduit), wiring of differing classifications shall be run in separate conduit. Where raceway is to be an enclosure (rack, tray, wire trough, utility box) wiring of differing classifications which share the same enclosure shall be mechanically partitioned and separated by at least four (4) inches.

Where Wiring of differing classifications must cross, they shall cross perpendicular to one another.

27 51 16-28

5. Do not splice wiring anywhere along the entire length of the run.

Make sure cables are…