36C26119R0002-002.pdf

Office of Information and Technology DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION GUIDANCE (revised 8/3/11)

1. General VA Palo Alto Health Care System

1.1 Codes of Practice

Adherence to the VA Network Cable Specifications by cabling installation contractors is a condition of contract. In the event the cabling installation is sub-contracted by the prime contractor, the prime contractor will supply a copy of these specifications to the sub-contractor. This requirement shall cover all levels of sub-contracting.

Any variations to the issued job specification shall be referred for approval to the Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR).

Contractors shall install all cable and cabling products with a proven track record for data network cabling installations. Such installations shall also meet all requirements as set out in this specification.

Un-terminated "future capacity" cables are not permitted. All installed cables shall be terminated at each end and documentation, labeling and (where applicable) test results provided. This applies to all permanently installed cable types.

1.2 Documentation

At least two copies of documents describing the data cable installation shall be provided.

A copy to be supplied to the COTR for approval

1.3 Network Equipment

COTR must approve the installation or removal of network hardware equipment. Non- VA staff shall carry out such work only with prior approval from the COTR.

1.4 Network Equipment Environment

Punch down area(s) (location of the data communication rack(s)) will be determined by the building Architect/Engineer and the COTR.

Contractor shall supply at minimum 1000BaseT, Category 6 certified rack-mounted modular RJ45 HIGH DENSITY patch panel (24/48 ports) for jacks meeting the ANSI/EIA/TIA t568-B- category 6 standards.

Contractor shall supply at minimum 1000BaseT, Category 6 certified AT&T style 110 blocks for voice requirements meeting the ANSI/EIA/TIA t568-B- category 6 standards.

Contractor shall install one full wall of fire-rated plywood for the 110 blocks to be mounted on.

Contractor will supply contract specified number of 19”W x 84”H steel data communication rack. Both racks shall have a grounding wire and bus bar installed to earth ground.

Each jack on the AT&T style 110 block and HIGH DENSITY rack mountable patch panel will correspond with the jack at the wall device faceplate.

Where network equipment is to be located in a secure room or large closet, the room or closet shall have a dry powder extinguisher, suitable for electrical fires, provided and installed within the room. Air conditioning is required in each IT room. And the OI&T key core should be installed.

2.1 Network Configuration Constraints * Contractor shall use a Cable color other than White * Each segment comprises a four pair Category 6 cable.

Pin all 8 conductors.

Maximum link length - 90 meters Maximum channel length - 100 meters Maximum number of stations per segment - 1.

2.2 Installation Constraints

2.2.1 Installation Standards

Cable and connecting hardware meeting or exceeding the Category 6 specifications shall be used throughout, with pairs terminated according to the T568B wiring scheme.

2.2.2 General Requirements

The cabling system shall include all patch panels, horizontal cables, transition blocks, vertical cabling, modular jacks, system cables, patch cables, cable management, and a comprehensive labeling system. Cable trays shall be installed in main hallways in the place of j-hooks.

2.2.3 Data Outlets

The following information represents a minimum requirement for the number of UTP outlets that shall be installed in each type of workspace.

If the construction at the location of the data outlet is drywall, provide flush-mounted single-gang outlet boxes with six-port base plates and applicable wall device faceplates (cable to be installed behind drywall).

If the construction at the location of the data outlet is a solid wall, provide surface-mounted single-gang outlet boxes with six-port base plates and applicable wall device faceplates (cable to be installed in plastic wall mold equipped with protective insulator or sleeve).

Where modular furniture is used, the location of the data outlet will be in the baseboard of the furniture, where the networked equipment (computers, printers, etc) will be located. Provide flush-mounted single gang outlet boxes with six-port base plates and applicable wall device faceplates. If flush-mounted single-gang outlet boxes cannot be used, then modular surface mount boxes will be used with six-port inserts. All cable runs in modular furniture will be through furniture wire baseboard ducts/conduit.

2.2.4 Horizontal Cabling

The horizontal wiring shall be a star topology connecting each network outlet jack to a jack on a patch panel rack in a communications enclosure/room.

The cable used shall be 4-pair 100-ohm high performance, 24 AWG solid conductor, and unshielded twisted pair cable, meeting or exceeding the Category 6 specification.

2.2.5 Network Outlet and Labeling

*.1 and .2 are blanks and shall be white *ETHERNET 568B .3 RJ 45 shall be blue and .4 RJ 45 shall be yellow * *ETHERNET 568B .5 RJ 45 shall be blue and .6 RJ 45 shall be yellow * Each network outlet faceplate shall incorporate one or more modular, universal RJ45 IDC jack sockets meeting or exceeding the Category 6 specification. Label each jack at this wall device faceplate to correspond with the label on the patch panel jack (N1, N2, etc.). All numbering should be readily visible.

2.2.6 Cable Installation

The cable interconnecting a network outlet to the patch panel shall be one continuous length with no intermediate joins, splices or taps. Each cable runs shall be no longer than 300 feet total in length, from start to finish.

Cable termination onto a horizontal distribution panel or patch panel shall be undertaken in a manner that permits additional cables to be terminated without unduly disturbing previously installed cables.

Data Outlet Each data outlet/device location will have four (4) cable runs that terminate on the high density rack mounted patch panel. Each typical data outlet will be on a six port base plate. Positions 1 and 2 will be blanks (white). Positions 3 and 5 will be data (blue).

Positions 4 and 6 will be data (yellow).

Wall Mounted Phones Any jacks for wall mounted phones should have 1 data cable to support VoIP, and be on a 1 port metal plate, and accommodate RJ45.

No more than 24 cables shall be cable tied in a bunch.

A 2-meter loop of cable shall be left within or on the approach to each communications room/enclosure to facilitate re-termination of the cable in the future, should this be required. Such cable slack shall be coiled and supported in a neat and practical manner.

A 0.5-meter loop of cable shall be left in the trunking on the approach to each network outlet to facilitate re-termination of the cable in the future, should this be required.

The amount of untwisting in a pair as a result of termination to connecting hardware shall be no greater than 13mm, and less than this if possible.

Cable bend radii shall be no less than eight times the cable diameter or as specified by the cable manufacturer; whichever is the greater.

Precautions shall be observed to eliminate cable stress caused by tension in suspended cable runs and tightly strapped bundles.

Cable bundles shall not rub on, or be unduly compressed against any cable tray, equipment racking, or other cable support.

Cable bundles shall not obstruct the installation and removal of equipment in equipment racks.

Where UTP cables are run parallel with electrical cables the following minimum separation rules shall be observed:

Circuit rating Unshielded power/data Shielded power/data < 1 KVA 300mm 25mm

> 1 < 2 KVA 450mm 50mm

> 2 < 5 KVA 600mm 150mm

5 KVA 1500mm 300mm

Where UTP cables are run in the proximity of electrical motors or transformers the minimum separation shall be 1 meter.

In situations where the above minimum distances cannot be applied due to a lack of available space, data cables shall be enclosed in rigid and/or flexible steel conduit.

Conduit shall be bonded to a protective ground at one point in the installation. No steel cabling enclosure medium shall be installed without having continuity to a protective ground.

2.3 Inter-Building Cabling

Each building designated to be a VoIP building will still require a minimum copper feeder/riser. Each building should have a minimum 50 pair tie cable that connects back to the campus demark. Each IDF shall have a minimum of 25 pair. If there is only one IDF in the building, it shall be 50 pair.

Wiring Maintenance or other local buildings:

If local network connectivity for Maintenance or other local buildings is required, follow all specifications as stated in this document.

Connecting Maintenance or other local buildings with the Administration Building:

If the distance between the punch down area in the Administration Building to the punch down area in the Maintenance Building does not exceed 100m or 328’ (maximum length of the cable run), then 1000BaseT UTP Level 6 24AWG plenum 4 pair cable may be used. Two cables will be required and must be installed in direct buried conduit that will connect the two buildings.

If the distance to the punch down area in the Maintenance Building exceeds 100m / 328’ but is no more than 2km / 1.24 miles (maximum length of the cable run). Cable should be routed as shown on the contract drawing. All feeder and riser copper cabling shall be terminated on 110 blocks and associated protectors shall be installed according to ansi/eia/tia standards/nec.

If the distance to the maintenance building exceeds 2km / 1.24 miles but is no more than 5km / 3.10 miles, then single-mode fiber 8x125 microns is recommended.

The contractor will install LC connectors at both ends of the SM fiber. A minimum of 12 SM strands will be required and must either be installed in conduit and/or installed below the frost line, however, it is highly recommend the cable be installed in conduit. All bends will be made with long radius conduit. All associated fiber patch panels shall be installed by the contractor.

Below is a list of hardware that is required if fiber is installed. VA will supply the Cisco Catalyst Switch for installation by the contractor on an approval basis. Contact the COTR to arrange delivery.

Single-mode

Cisco Catalyst 3750-48 port Cisco Catalyst LX uplink port Single-mode Fiber 8.3x125 microns LC Connectors

2.4 Testing

Testing shall be carried out with building electrical services operating (lighting, power, air-conditioning plant and lift services where applicable).

Wiring shall be tested to verify the continuity, integrity and polarity of the cable according to the specified pin and pair grouping assignments.

2.5 Documentation

The contractor shall provide installation documentation at the completion of the cabling system installation.

The contractor shall certify that the cabling system meets the UTP cabling system requirements for Category 6 performance levels.

3. Optical Fiber Cable (Ethernet)

Single-mode Fiber

Core Diameter 7 - 9 microns Cladding diameter 125 microns Prim. Acryl. Buffer diameter 250 microns Proof test not less than 50kpsi.

Numerical aperture 0.11 Attenuation not greater than 0.5dB/Km @ 1310nm. not greater than 0.4dB/Km @ 1550nm.

Termination: All Single-mode terminations shall be made with LC connectors

3.1 Fiber Network Configuration Constraints

Maximum Single-mode segment length – 5 km

3.2 Installation Constraints

Minimum bend radius (during installation)- not less than 20 X outside diameter of cable.

Minimum bend radius (as installed) - not less than 10 X outside diameter of cable or the manufacturer’s specification, whichever is the greater.

During installation the pulling force shall not exceed the manufacturer’s specified maximum.

Cable slack shall be provided as follows:

Within pits - 2 meters minimum.

At a termination location - 2 meters minimum.

Within a termination enclosure - 0.5 meter minimum.

All fiber cable terminations are to be LC connectors. When using a wall or rack mount enclosure, a patch cord protector shall be included in the installation.

3.3 Testing

100% Insertion Loss (light source and power meter) testing of all terminated fibers shall be performed in both directions at 1310nm for single mode cables.

OTDR tests shall be performed at high wavelength, if the distance is greater than 1000m at 1550nm for single mode cables.

Optical loss covers the total loss between two corresponding optical ports and must include allowances for losses due to fiber, connectors, passive optical components, splices and any margin for maintenance. This loss shall not exceed 5db.

Copies of all test results are to be provided to the COTR on completion of the project.

3.4 Documentation

Documentation of a cable installation shall comprise the following:

Cable type Route followed Pit locations (where applicable) Building names Table of losses for each core

4. 0 In reference to VA Master Specification Section 27 15 00 Communications Horizontal cabling, the following shall be noted :

Palo Alto EPBX has one in existence and it is located in Bldg 100 FB370.

Page 27 15 00- 24.

e.1 2 Category 6 rj 11 to be installed

f. Provide each rj45 type jacks

Page 27 15 00 -25. h. Fiber Optics. VA Palo Alto networking equipment does not support ST type – Provide LC terminations on both ends.

Page 27 15 00 -26. 2. SM fiber – Provide LC terminations.

Page 27 15 00 -29. 4.C Palo Alto no longer uses MM fiber due to the distance limitations. Provide Type SM. VA Palo Alto networking gear has been refreshed by OI&T in March 2009 for SM fiber uplinks.

Page 27 15 00 -29.5. Palo Alto purchases our own patch cables – this purchases is unnecessary.

Page 27 15 00 -34.

h.3 Indicates a clause for growth on Category 6 cabling which should be able to give VA Palo Alto the additional rj45 we are asking h.4 Indicates a clause for distance on MM vs SM which should be able to give Palo Alto the SM fiber with LC connections we are asking for.

Fiber limitations are identified on Page 27 15 00-34. h..4 –Provide proof of testing of all fibers to VA Palo Alto IT.

The Contractor supply and install the IT equipment rack into each TC.

Provide the IT department with cable warranty and POC so VA Palo Alto can route any cable warranty issues directly with them. Industry standards are 10 years on cabling warranty.

Submit Contractor’s telecommunications OEM certifications for the installers as mandated by 27 15 00-9 1.4.E.

Under clause 27 15 00-2 E, Contractor shall use cable tray for the horizontal cabling.

Jack Naming Conventions