Appendix 1-OIMT_IT-Spaces-Cabling-Guidelines.pdf

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION

OFFICE OF INFORMATION MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY (OIMT)

REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES

FOR

IT SPACES & STRUCTURED CABLING SYSTEM

TO BE USED BY

OFEMS, DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS, & CONTRACTORS

FOR

FDA FIELD OFFICES

12/2/2024

FDA REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES FOR IT SPACES & STRUCTURED CABLING SYSTEM

Updated: February 4, 2021

Contents

1. General

1.1 Purpose

1.2 Scope

1.3 Document Usage

2. SCS Pathways

2.1 General

2.2 Entrance Pathways

2.2.1 General

2.2.2 Backbone & Demarc Pathways

2.2.2.1 Backbone

2.2.2.2 Demarc

2.2.3 Horizontal Pathways

2.2.3.1 Wall Outlet Pathways

2.2.3.2 Cubicle & Conference Room Outlet Pathways

2.2.3.3 Sleeves Transitioning Through Walls

2.2.3.4 Hooks

2.2.3.5 Cable Tray

3. SCS Communications Spaces

3.1 General

3.2 Space Types

3.3 Room Placement

3.4 Room Architectural Attributes

3.4 Room Environmental and Electrical Attributes

3.5 Room Security and Access

4. SCS Cabling and Components

4.1 Work Area Outlets (WAOs)

4.1.1 General

4.1.2 WAO Types and Cable Complements

4.1.3 WAO Labeling

4.1 Horizontal Cabling

4.1.1 Horizontal Cable Type & Length

4.1.2 Cable Installation

4.2 SCS Components Inside Communications Rooms

4.2.1 General

4.2.1 Equipment Racks & Cabinets

4.2.2 Cable Installation & Termination

4.2.3 Rack and Panel Labeling

4.3 Wireless Access Point Installation

4.4 Demarc & Backbone Cabling

4.4.1 Demarc Cabling

4.4.2 Backbone Cabling

4.5 Installation Testing and Documentation

5 Reference Standards

1. General

1.1 Purpose

The purpose of this document is to provide FDA Office of Facilities Engineering and Mission Support Services (OFEMS), architects, engineers, general contractors, and cabling contractors with technical guidelines & requirements for designing and installing a high-performance and standards-based Structured Cabling System (SCS) and related IT spaces in FDA field office facilities. These guidelines are in alignment with TIA and BICSI standards.

1.2 Scope

The scope of this document includes SCS components & IT spaces that are typically included in architect/engineering construction documents (CDs) and installed by a general contractor and subcontractors as part of building construction and/or renovation.

1.3 Document Usage

This document is intended to be used with complementary project-specific document(s) to form a complete information and specific requirements for any particular instance of an SCS deployment. Whereas this guideline may indicate “horizontal cable pathways may include 2”, 3”, and 4” conduit”, the project-specific document may specify “the sleeves on the southwest corner of the IT Room shall include three 4” conduits”. Site-specific drawings are also part of the project-specific document.

The combination of this Requirements & Guidelines document plus the project-specific document are intended to provide architects, engineers, and contractors with the information and requirements to complete construction design documents and to install a comprehensive and fully functional SCS infrastructure in an FDA facility.

2. SCS Pathways

2.1 General

This section provides the technical specifications for Structured Cabling System (SCS) pathways that are typically embedded in the facilities infrastructure as part of construction & fit-up, similar to electrical and HVAC infrastructure.

2.2 Entrance Pathways

2.2.1 General

The entrance pathways provide for communications cabling from the common carriers’ public right-of-way into an entrance space in a facility, and also for communications cabling between buildings on a campus. These pathways are critical to the business as they typically carry high capacity communications cables that support a large user base and/or an entire site.

For FDA leased offices in the field, these entrance pathways are provided by the landlord or building owner and are assumed to be in-place.

2.2.2 Backbone & Demarc Pathways

2.2.2.1 Backbone

The backbone pathways provide for cable routing between communications rooms. They also provide pathways for bulk horizontal cable that transition between floors vertically in architectures where a communications room services multiple floors in a building. These pathways are sometimes called “riser” pathways.

The backbone pathway requirements will be provided in project-specific documentation.

In general, backbone pathways consist of conduit and sleeves. Typical attributes of backbone pathways include:

• Conduit can be EMT unless otherwise specified

• Conduit and sleeves are typically 4”

• Sleeves transitioning horizontally from the communications room to the adjacent ceiling space shall be a minimum of 12” above the office-area drop ceiling grid

• The 4” conduits shall have a minimum 36” bend radius on all bends

• The conduits shall have pull strings and bushing rings installed

• Conduit/sleeves that provide vertical pathways (i.e. floor-floor) shall extend a maximum of 4” AFF (floor penetration) or 4” from the ceiling (ceiling penetration) in the communications room and be no more than 2” away from the wall.

• Pull boxes shall be configured for straight conduit runs greater than 150’, and for each 180 degrees of direction change. Pull boxes shall not be placed at the change of direction point, but in a straight section before or after the turn.

• There shall be adequate conduit/sleeves installed to handle all initial cabling using a maximum fill ratio of 40%. Plus one totally unused conduit/sleeve shall be installed for future growth.

• If a backbone pathway transitions through a non-FDA space (i.e. landlord or common spaces), then the pathway shall be continuously enclosed to not expose the cabling.

2.2.2.2 Demarc

This is a specific backbone pathway is required from the FDA Communications Room to the telephone carrier demarcation point which is typically in the building/landlord Telecommunications Closet. This is often referred to as the MPOE (Minimum Point of Entry). Specific attributes include:

• This pathway will be continuously enclosed and is typically a 2” EMT conduit between the landlord TC/MPOE and the FDA IT room.

• The conduit shall have a minimum 12” bend radius on all bends.

• Pull boxes shall be configured for straight conduit runs greater than 150’, and for each 180 degrees of direction change. Pull boxes shall not be placed at the change of direction point, but in a straight section before or after the turn.

• A pull string shall be installed in the conduit.

• The conduit shall have bushings on both ends.

2.2.3 Horizontal Pathways

The horizontal pathways provide for cable routing from the communications room to the Work Area Outlets (WAOs) in a work area. There are several types of horizontal pathways depending on building construction and layout, and multiple types usually exist in any particular building. Also, either the electrical contractor or cabling contractor may install the horizontal pathways.

2.2.3.1 Wall Outlet Pathways

The standard attributes for pathways that service wall outlets include:

• Wall outlets (i.e. typical office) shall be served using 0.75” conduit at a minimum

• Wall outlets shall have a single gang (2”x4”) box with minimum 1.5” depth. This provides for a small service loop inside the box.

• The typical routing of conduit for enclosed offices shall be from the outlet box stubbed up to above the drop ceiling, stubbed out into the adjacent corridor.

• Outlets within areas that do not have drop ceilings (i.e. hard ceilings) shall have conduit routed to the nearest access ceiling area towards the communications room.

• Each conduit shall have a plastic bushing on the stubbed end, and a pull string installed.

• The conduit shall not have a bend radius of less than 6”.

2.2.3.2 Cubicle & Conference Room Outlet Pathways

The standard attributes for pathways that service cubicle & conference room outlets include:

• Cubicles served from under-floor will use a poke-thru device. A device with a 2” pass-thru sleeve is recommended. Poke-thru devices can provide both electrical and low voltage cabling pathways to reduce floor penetrations. Sample products include Wiremold Evolution Series (or similar).

• Cubicles served from an adjacent wall or column should use a minimum 1.5” conduit and a dual-gang outlet box using a pass-through faceplate to service multiple cubes.

• Conference rooms should have a floor presentation under the table. A device with a 2” pass-thru sleeve is recommended. Poke-thru devices can provide both electrical and low voltage cabling pathways to reduce floor penetrations (including A/V pathway). Sample products include Wiremold Evolution Series (or similar).

• For poke-thru locations that are located above a non-FDA controlled space, the low voltage poke thru sleeves shall have conduit attached and run up within a nearby wall or column into the FDA-leased ceiling space. For example, if the FDA is leasing space on the 3rd floor, then poke thrus into the 2nd floor ceiling space shall have conduit attached and routed through a 3rd-floor wall/column and stubbed into the 3rd floor ceiling space.

• Cubicles should be equipped with telecommunications pathways/channels to allow cabling to get installed from the wall or poke-thru, through the cubicle furniture, to the outlet end point.

2.2.3.3 Sleeves Transitioning Through Walls

The standard attributes for sleeves transitioning horizontally (perpendicular) through walls include:

• Sleeves should typically be 3” or 4” EMT.

• Sleeves should protrude about 6” from the wall.

• Sleeves should have plastic bushings installed on the ends.

• There shall be adequate conduit/sleeves installed to handle all initial cabling using a maximum fill ratio of 40%. One additional totally unused conduit/sleeve shall be installed for future growth.

2.2.3.4 Hooks

Hooks are typically used in the ceiling space above a drop (grid) ceiling as the primary pathways for horizontal (workstation) cabling between the communications rooms and the WAOs. The routing of the hooks through the ceiling space should follow the hallways outward from the communications rooms throughout the facility. An example hook type is the Mono Systems H-533-A or the Erico, Inc. Cat32. Specific attributes of the hook system include:

• The number of cables in any hook along a pathway shall not exceed the manufacturer’s maximum specification. Additional parallel hook paths or basket cable tray shall be installed to support cables beyond these counts.

• The hooks shall be attached to the building structure using a method that is approved by the hook manufacturer, meets national and local codes, and that provides adequate strength and stability to support the cables intended.

• The bottom of the hooks should be 12 inches (nominal) from the ceiling grid and shall always be placed at a height above the ceiling grid that allows adequate room for cable sag (maximum 8”) between hooks without the cable touching the ceiling grid. The hooks shall be placed at a maximum interval of 5 feet.

Shorter intervals should be used for facilitating turns and clearing obstructions.

• The hooks and the intended cable pathway between hooks shall avoid other services in the ceiling (HVAC, fire, electrical, etc.) and shall provide adequate working clearance for cabling technicians, as well as maintain code clearances from devices in the ceiling. The cables between hooks shall not be draped over HVAC ducts, sprinkler pipes, etc.

• The hook and the cable pathway between hooks shall have a minimum clearance of 12 inches, on all sides, from any fluorescent lighting fixtures. This includes clearance at the lowest cable sag point between hooks.

2.2.3.5 Cable Tray

Cable tray is used for horizontal pathways when hooks provide inadequate capacity. A combined tray and hook approach is often used where tray is installed from the communications room outward due to the higher quantities of cabling coming from the communications room, and then hooks are used for lower density distribution to the WAOs. Typically, this cable tray is basket-type and an example type is Legrand Cabofil. Specific attributes of cable tray include:

• Cable tray shall be installed between 6” -12” above the ceiling grid and shall not be installed closer than 12” to fluorescent light fixtures.

• The tray should be routed along a hallway for easy access.

• Cable tray size should accommodate initial cabling requirement plus 50% growth.

3. SCS Communications Spaces

3.1 General

The Communications Spaces provide for horizontal and backbone cable terminations and interconnections, and for housing low voltage communications equipment such as Local Area Network (LAN) switches, security systems, paging systems, etc. The communications spaces should NOT house electrical infrastructure (transformers, building breaker panels, etc.), plumbing services, or other non-low voltage equipment or services;

or be used for general storage.

3.2 Space Types

The size of the communications space varies based on the user count, square footage served, and equipment housed within the space. The FDA has several standard templates which are used to define the space requirements depending on the site attributes, and the OIMT Space Requirements artifact will be provided as part of the project-specific requirements. There are two types of spaces defined by the templates:

• Communications Room: This is the traditional space consisting of an enclosed room dedicated to low voltage systems.

• Open Space: This consists of space in an open area or inside a larger room where either a wall-mount or free-standing cabinet can be installed which accommodates the proper clearances.

The remainder of this section addresses requirements for the communications room space. The requirements for the open space type will be included in project-specific documentation.

3.3 Room Placement

The placement and number of communications room(s) is a major factor in the overall costs of the SCS and network equipment. The priority constraint on placement is the standard 90 meter cable routing distance from the communications room to any WAO per the TIA 568 standard. Specific placement considerations include:

• Rooms should be placed as central in the leased space area as possible to increase the square footage served within the constraints of the 90 meter distance. Multiple rooms may have to be placed in the building to meet this distance limitation.

• There should be one room per floor in a multi-floor building, unless the building footprint is sufficiently small that a room might serve multiple floors within the 90 meter distance requirement.

• If there are multiple communications rooms in a multi-floor building, the rooms should be “stacked” to facilitate backbone cabling interconnections.

• Rooms should be placed such that a minimum of 2 walls are adjacent to expandable space such as offices, cubicles, etc. No more than 2 walls should be adjacent to immovable space such as restrooms, elevators, corridors, etc. This will ensure expansion can occur as necessary without major renovation or service disruptions.

• No wet walls or plumbing/sanitary risers or bathrooms or break rooms or water mains etc. should be adjoining or passing through the communications room.

• To the extent (reasonably) possible, the room interior should be open and column-free. Angular columns within the space are not acceptable.

3.4 Room Architectural Attributes

The communications room(s) architectural attributes include:

• The communications room should not have any plumbing routed through it except for code-required sprinkler system serving the room. Sprinkler heads should be as elevated as possible (>9’ AFF) and protected by a cage.

• The walls should extend to slab-slab.

• The walls should be windowless.

• The space should be within the FDA-leased space with no walls adjacent to landlord or other tenant spaces, if possible. For walls that are adjacent to non-FDA leased space, then those walls shall have metal mech embedded within them as a security precaution.

• A drop ceiling should not be installed unless there is fire-proofing sprayed onto the structure above which could create dust.

• Lights should be hung at minimum 9 feet AFF and there should be a minimum of one fixture over the front space of the racks and one over the rear of the racks. The fixtures can be standard 4-lamp fluorescent or equivalent LED. Emergency lighting should be in the room.

• The door should be equipped with an automatic closer. If possible, the door should open outward, not inward. The door should be placed in a corner of the room such that it opens against the wall adjacent to the door frame, and not placed in the center of a wall.

• A portion of a wall should be covered in 8 foot high x 4” wide plywood, 0.75” thick, mounted 6” AFF. The plywood should be painted with white fire-retardant paint. Local codes should dictate whether the plywood is to be fire-rated. The project-specific room drawing will identify the placement of the plywood.

• Any ductwork, piping, cabling, cable trays or conduits that do not service the space should not cross through the space. To the extent possible, trades should be coordinated so that no ductwork, piping, sprinkler lines or drains cross above the planned racks.

• All ceiling utilities (electrical conduits, HVAC ducting, etc.) that serve in the space should be a minimum of 9’ AFF to avoid interference with cabling and cable tray.

• The floor should be anti-static vinyl tile, neutral in color, and grounded/bonded to the telecommunications ground bar.

• Cable tray should be installed over the racks and create a continuous pathway to the horizontal distribution pathways (i.e. floor sleeves and/or ceiling sleeves. This cable tray shall be ladder type tray, without a side wall, and be equipped with retaining posts every 12”. Newton or Homaco ladder-style tray is preferred. The tray should be mounted at a minimum height of 8’ AFF, and a maximum height of 9’AFF. There shall not be any fluorescent light fixtures within 12” of the cable tray.

3.4 Room Environmental and Electrical Attributes

The communications room(s) environmental and electrical attributes include:

• The communications room will typically have one UPS installed to support the equipment in the room, unless a central UPS is in the facility (i.e. building system). In addition, there will be special wall outlet(s) that provide power to a Power Distribution Unit (PDU) on the equipment racks. The UPS and PDU receptacle count and types will be identified as part of the project-specific requirements.

• If there is a building generator that serves the FDA space, then the power to the communications rooms shall be from the generator and not normal building (utility) power.

• There should be standard, building power duplex electrical receptacles placed around the walls of the room (18” AFF) as convenience outlets for test gear, etc.

• There should be a dedicated air conditioning system installed for the room. The heat load in BTUs will be provided as part of the project-specific requirements. The room environment should be maintained between 68F - 80F and 40%-60% humidity. The room can also be served by the building HVAC system as a secondary/redundant cooling source if it provides cooling only (i.e. no heat in winter) and has its own thermostat & air flow vent. The dedicated HVAC system should be mounted in the adjacent ceiling space outside the communications room to avoid water services in the room (chilled water and condensate drain). If the unit is placed within the room, it should have a condensate drip pan with an automatic shut off switch and be mounted at least 9’ AFF.

• A ground bar should be installed per the TIA standards. The ground bar shall be a minimum of ¼” thick, and shall provide a minimum of 12 lug positions All racks and cable tray shall be grounded/bonded to the ground bar.

• A heat and smoke detection system should be installed in the communications room and tied into the building fire alarm system. Remote annunciation should be provided.

3.5 Room Security and Access

The communications room(s) architectural attributes include:

• Room shall be equipped with a lockable door, keyed independently from other office doors to limit access to unauthorized personnel.

• For sites that are rated >1 under the Facility Security Level (FSL) rating, the room shall be equipped with a card key access that is controlled and monitored by Headquarters, in order to provide a record of entry into the space.

• The room shall have no door which opens to any space not under the local FDA office direct control (i.e. public hallways, corridors, common building space or any other building occupants leased space).

4. SCS Cabling and Components

4.1 Work Area Outlets (WAOs)

4.1.1 General

The WAOs provide connectivity for most low voltage end points such as computers, phones, security cameras, wireless access points, etc. The WAO locations should be identified on either the electrical drawing set (E-series), or Telecommunications set (T-series). The drawings should indicate the location, type, and cable complement for WAOs. Notes on the drawings can be used to indicate other attributes such as height, faceplate color, etc.

4.1.2 WAO Types and Cable Complements

The various WAO types and associated cable complements are defined below. Typical faceplates are single gang.

WAO Type Number of Cables

Presentation

WAO-1W 1 Single RJ-45: wall phone faceplate with mounting posts

WAO-AP 1 Single RJ-45 keystone jack: Wireless Access Point

WAO-1 1 Single RJ-45 Wall outlet

WAO-2 2 Dual RJ-45 Wall outlet (typical office, cubicle, printer)

WAO- 4 4 Quad RJ-45 Wall outlet

The following use and location guidelines are set for the types of WAOs for each work environment.

• Standard Office: one WAO-1 wall mount outlet located on wall nearest the desk

• Large Office with Side Table: two WAO-1 wall mount outlets, one outlet to be located on wall nearest the desk, the other to be located on the wall near the side table

• Large Office with Two (or more) Work Areas: one WAO-1 wall mount outlet located on the wall nearest each desk

• Hot Desk / Hoteling / Visitor: one WAO-1 wall mount outlet located on wall nearest the desk.

• Reception Desk: one WAO-1 wall mount outlet located on wall nearest the desk.

• Huddle Room (small meeting room up to 4 seats): one WAO-1 wall mount outlet located on wall nearest the desk.

• Cubicles: one WAO-1 in each cube located in the cubicle furniture.

• Print / Fax Area: two WAO-1 wall mount outlets with one outlet located on wall behind printer and the other outlet on the wall above the work shelf nearest to the electrical outlet.

• Conference Rooms (5 – 18 seats): one WAO-2 located in a poke-thru device under the conference room table and one WAO-1 wall mount outlet on each wall of the conference room. Note that additional WAOs may be required for any A/V system and will be specified during the design review process by OFEMS’ AV design team.

• Conference Rooms (<18 seats): Custom design during design process.

• Training Room: Custom design during design process.

• Wireless Access Point (WAP): one WAO-AP for each WAP. Location and mounting to be discussed during design review.

• Laboratory Bench Areas: WAO counts are determined by bench-feet (i.e. length of bench) and if one or two sided per the following table. WAOs should be evenly positioned along the bench.:

Bench-feet # WAO-1 for single sided bench # WAO-1 for double-sided bench Up to 3 feet 1 1 each side (total 2) 3 to 6 feet 2 2 each side (total 4) 6 – 9 feet 3 3 each side (total 6) 9 – 12 feet 4 4 each side (total 8)

12 – 15 feet 5 5 each side (total 10) Greater than 15 feet Review with OIMT Review with OIMT

4.1.3 WAO Labeling

Each WAO faceplate will have three labeling components including a top faceplate label, a bottom faceplate label, and jack labels.

• The faceplate label at the top will consist of a 4 character identifier F-XXX where F = the floor number that the WAO is on; and XXX is a unique identifier between 000 and 999 for each WAO on a particular floor. Wall phones will use the nomenclature F-WXX where W stands for Wall phone and XX is a unique identifier between 00 and 99. Wireless access points will use the nomenclature F- APXX where AP stands for Access Point and XX is a unique identifier between 00 and 99.

• The jack labels on the keystone jacks shall indicate the jack letter per the layout depicted below, with reference of looking at the front of the faceplate:

A B C D E F

• The faceplate label at the bottom will consist of the communications room number where the WAO is terminated.

An example of a typical WAO-2 faceplate is below where 3-043 represents outlet #043 on the 3rd floor, and the cables are terminated in Room 352.

All labels shall be permanent, machine generated labels produced by a labeling machine.

4.1 Horizontal Cabling

4.1.1 Horizontal Cable Type & Length

The horizontal cable to all WAOs (except WAO-AP) shall consist of standard Category 6 performance cable and shall be labeled "UL Verified Category 6" or equivalent per the UL testing program. The cabling shall meet all TIA and ANSI performance standards for Category 6 cabling.

The horizontal cable to WAO-AP (wireless access point outlets) locations shall consist of standard Category 6a performance cable and shall be labeled "UL Verified Category 6a" or equivalent per the UL testing program. The cabling shall meet all TIA and ANSI performance standards for Category 6a cabling.

The horizontal cable shall be UL listed as CMP, CMR, or LSZH as required by the facility installation conditions and in accordance with local code and industry standards.

The cable sheath color should be blue.

Horizontal cable length shall not exceed 90 meters (295 feet) including all slack and service loops. Prior to installation, the contractor should review the drawings and verify no cable run exceeds 295 feet and notify the communications designer and FDA OIMT of cable runs that may exceed 295 feet.

Prior to testing, contractor is responsible for ensuring that all cabling is installed, in compliance with necessary codes, as a one continuous, uninterrupted run from communications room to work area outlet, supported by designed J-hooks, cable trays, conduits and furniture raceway. All cabling must be dressed and labelled in its final state and terminated in accordance with applicable industry standards before testing and certification can occur.

Installation shall result in the cabling ready for intended use for equipment communications (phone, laptop, etc.).

4.1.2 Cable Installation

The cable installation shall comply with all local codes, TIA standards, BICSI standards and standard industry practices. Installation requirements also include:

• Cable supports shall be spaced randomly, but no further than 5'-0" apart.

• Do not support cables from ductwork, sprinkler piping, water piping, waste piping, conduit, ceiling wire, joists, or other system supports.

• All cables shall be loosely bundled, so as not to deform cable, at no greater than 5'-0" on center (at mid-span) using plenum rated ties or hook and loop fasteners.

• All cabling shall be installed in accordance with manufacturers’ written bend radius and pulling tensions.

• Maintain the following distances between cables, other system cables and other building systems:

o One (1) foot from fluorescent lights o Four (4) feet from motors and transformers o Three (3) feet from hot water piping or mechanical equipment o Three (3) feet from electrical panels

• All conduits and conduit sleeves shall have bushings or grommets shall be installed prior to the installation of communications cables to avoid damage and abrasions to cable sheathing and insulation

• Splices are not permitted in any copper cable.

• Avoid placing copper cables near sources of extreme heat (i.e. boilers, radiators, heat coils).

• Service loops shall be provided at both ends of installed horizontal and backbone cabling.

o For all WAO types except WAP WAOs, a 10 foot service loop shall be installed in the ceiling space near each workstation outlet, coiled and supported by the J-hook.

o For WAP WAO cables the service loop at the WAP WAO should be 20 feet to allow for proper positioning.

o In the communications room a 5 foot service loop shall be installed to allow for future equipment rack/cabinet relocation without the need to re-terminate patch panels. Service loops should be created in a figure-8 or staggered oval loops.

• Maintain cable twists for all UTP cables. Untwisting of cable should be as close to zero as possible.

• Allow cable bundles to inter-twine loosely during the installation, and DO NOT groom or comb cables to be parallel to each other. Cables can be pulled taut to reduce slack length, but combing is not desired.

• Cables intended for termination in open office furniture (cubicles) shall be installed into the cubicle furniture pathways.

4.2 SCS Components Inside Communications Rooms

4.2.1 General

The communications room is intended to support all low voltage systems, and therefore the design should accommodate OIMT, Security, AV, and any other low voltage systems for the facility.

4.2.1 Equipment Racks & Cabinets

SCS racks should be typical two-post 19” wide racks with minimum 6” deep channel which meet EIA-310 standards including universal hole spacing (5/8”, 5/8”, 1/2”). An example is the Legrand MightMo family. The racks should be 7 foot tall and provide a minimum of 45 rack unit (RU) spaces for mounting panels and equipment.

There shall be a vertical wire manager (not D-rings) provided on each side of the racks (one in-between the racks if more than one rack). The wire manager should be 4”-6” wide and at least 3” deep and come with a cover.

Each rack shall have horizontal wire management panels mounted on the front, per the rack layout drawings, to facilitate patch cable routing horizontally in and between racks. These wire management panels may consist of both 1U and 2U components and will be installed per the project-specific rack elevation drawings.

Each rack shall have a dedicated #6 AWG ground wire to the telecommunications ground bar.

All racks should be secured to the floor using the appropriate rack installation kit for the specific floor type.

4.2.2 Cable Installation & Termination

Horizontal cables shall have a minimum 5 foot service loop in the communication room, with the loop in the overhead cable tray created in a figure-8 or staggered oval loops method.

In the communications rooms the all Category 6 cables will be routed from the overhead cable tray, using cable tray drop-outs to control bend radius, down along the 19" racks within the vertical channel. The cables will be bundled such that cables to be terminated on the left half of the patch panels are routed down the left-inside of the rack, and cables to be terminated on the right half of the patch panels are routed down the right-inside of the rack.

Velcro wraps or loose cable ties will be used to bundle the cables in the rack. The cables will be dressed so they approach the termination point directly inward towards the back of the panel (i.e. perpendicular to the panel) to remain clear of adjacent cables, using the cable management bar provided with the patch panel. Each set of cables for a particular patch panel half (24 cables) will be in a single bundle from the rear of the patch panel to the cable tray. The cables within the bundles shall not be “combed” but should retain the random inter-cable twisting to ensure there are not long lengths of directly adjacent parallel cables. See picture below.

The patch panels shall be rated Category 6, except for the separate WAP panel which shall be rated Category 6a.

The panels shall be angled and will be 24 or 48 port. Example products include Legrand/Ortronics part number:

OR-PHA66U24 and part number: OR-PHA66U48.

The patch panels shall be provided and installed in the racks per the project-specific rack elevation drawings.

4.2.3 Rack and Panel Labeling

Equipment racks shall have nameplate-style signs indicating the Rack Number (Rack 1; Rack 2, etc.) to be placed on the top crossbar of the racks and match the communications room floor plan layouts. The nameplate-style signs shall be a minimum of 1 ½” in height and consist of black letters on a white background.

The labeling of the modular patch panels RJ-45 jack positions for WAOs shall consist of the following:

• For wall phone Category 6 cables: the WAO identifier with a hyphen between the floor/area and the WAO number (F-WXX).

• For wireless access point Category 6a cables: the WAO identifier with a hyphen between the floor/area and the WAO number (F-APXX).

• For Category 6 cables: the WAO identifier with a hyphen between the floor/area and the WAO number (F-XXX) plus the jack position in the faceplate (alphabetical character A through F as defined in WAO Labeling section). See examples below.

Sample of a CAT 6 WAO from the 2nd floor

Sample of a CAT 6 wall phone WAO on the 2nd floor

Sample of a CAT 6a WAP WAO on the

2nd floor

2-025B 2-W04 2-AP04

4.3 Wireless Access Point Installation

The cabling contractor should also physically install the WAPs in the locations indicted on the construction drawings. The WAPs will be provided by FDA OIMT. The contractor should install the WAPs in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and in accordance with local code, industry standards, and local site conditions. The configuration/programming of the WAPs will be completed by FDA OIMT.

4.4 Demarc & Backbone Cabling

4.4.1 Demarc Cabling

The cabling contractor shall install cable(s) between the identified FDA IT space/room and the carrier(s) demarcation point, typically the landlord’s telecommunications closet (MPOE). The cable(s) shall be installed in the designated demarcation pathway as described in the Pathways section. The contractor shall install three types of cables:

• One (1) 6-strand single mode fiber (SMF) armored cable (1000BaseLX, 1310nm)

• One (1) 6-strand OM-4 multimode fiber (MMF) armored cable (1000BaseSX, 850nm, 50 um)

• Six (6) Category 6 copper cables only if the cabling distance is 90 meters (295 feet) or less.

The cables shall be terminated as follows:

• MPOE: Wall mount 1RU panel with (3) SMF LC duplex modules; (3) MMF LC duplex modules; and (6) CAT6 modules. Examples include Ortronics or similar OR-615SMFC-LX-12P: Wall Mounted fiber patching cabinet with OR-OFP-LCD12LC: 12-fiber MM LC adapter panel; OR-OFP-LCD12AC: 12-fiber SM LC adapter panel; OR-TJ600-36: Cat6 Jack.

• FDA IT space/room: Rack mounted 1RU panel with (3) SMF LC duplex modules; (3) SMF LC duplex modules; and (6) CAT6 modules. The panel shall be placed in the rack per the rack elevation drawings.

Examples include Ortronics or similar: Mixed Media 1U HD Patch Panel: OR-PHAHJU24; HD LC MM Fiber Module: OR-HDFM-FLC2CL-00; HD LC SM Fiber Module: OR-HDFM-FLC2CI-00; HD Category 6 jack: OR-HDJ6-36.

The demark cables shall be installed per the above unless modifications are included in the project-specific documentation.

4.4.2 Backbone Cabling

Requirements for backbone cabling between communications rooms will be provided as part of project-specific documentation.

4.5 Installation Testing and Documentation

The contractor shall field test the all cabling installed in accordance with TIA-568 and industry standard. The installed channel links (from WAO to patch panel port) must have passed all applicable TIA performance requirements for their Category (Cat6a for WAP WAOs and Cat6 for all others). Any failures shall be remediated and re-tested. The contractor shall submit the test results to FDA OIMT prior to the active network equipment installation.

The following lists typical documentation that shall be provided to FDA OIMT by the SCS contractor within 2 weeks following the completion of the SCS installation:

• Cabling test results in a binder or electronic format

• marked up drawings (paper) reflecting the as-built room details

• updated Excel file reflecting the as-built rack layouts

• electronic (AutoCad & PDF) floor plans identifying as-built cable routing for all horizontal and backbone cabling, including WAO numbers

• one E-size printout of the as-built floor plans to be left in the IT space for the local technician

5 Reference Standards

The cabling and electrical contractors should comply with the latest versions of the following references and standards:

TIA-569 Commercial Building Standards for Telecommunications Pathways and Spaces TIA-607: Generic Telecommunications Bonding and Grounding (Earthing) for Customer Premises TIA-568: Commercial Building Telecommunications Infrastructure All applicable IEEE standards for Cable Categories and Testing

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4.5 Installation Testing and Documentation

5 Reference Standards