Some elements of the below may be superceded. Consult the director, network services, Information Systems and Technology, for interpretation.
June 1, 1999
Scope
As used in this document, the term cable plant includes all cable and associated hardware used for voice, data, multimedia, alarm, control and any other low voltage cabling up to and including a start and end demarcation point. Typically these demarcation points would be jacks in the wall and patch panels. Facilities include the equipment rooms, conduit, ceilings, telecommunications closets, tunnels, risers etc. required for cabling.
Vision
The scope and dimension of the campus cable plant has changed and it's growth is accelerating.
These changes in the voice and data cable plant will present challenges in the areas of bandwidth, speed, security, documentation and support. There must be procedures and guidelines governing additions, removals, changes and documentation of the campus cable plant. High speed network cabling must be properly rated, installed and tested to assure the performance required today and anticipated for tomorrow. Campus wide cable management has become a critical issue. The campus cable plant must be documented and the records made available to appropriate personnel throughout the campus.
The cable plant must be treated as a campus utility, not unlike the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. It has long been commonplace, in the construction planning process, for the above mentioned utilities to review design documents and consider adherence to accepted codes and standards. This level of review is necessary for the University of Waterloo cable plant in order to protect investment, minimize down time and as well as insuring safe and effective operation.
Today active equipment is being developed based upon the assumption that the cabling portion of the physical layer is standards compliant: i.e. reliable and capable of specific transmission performance. The initial cost to install standards compliant cabling in the University facilities by qualified installers, designed by registered designers is, in some cases, higher than the cost of installing ad hoc cabling which merely meets the immediate needs. However, the risks of non-compliant ad hoc cabling are numerous: sub-standard network performance; higher costs for moves, adds and changes (MACs); and the inability to support emerging technologies.
The initial installation of cable within the campus facilities should be as technically current and progressive as possible.
Purpose
This document is in response to a widely recognized need for a better managed cable plant. That includes standards for selected designers and installers of cable within the University of Waterloo facilities. Its purpose is to provide procedures and practices that will facilitate the development of consistent standards based cable plant installations.
Administration
The University of Waterloo has deemed it necessary to ensure that all installations within the University cable plant are of an approved type. The Associate Provosts of General Services and Finance and Information Systems and Technology have charged Plant Operations and IST with the task of advising the Campus on how to adhere to a level of cabling standards considered acceptable by the University of Waterloo.
Plant Operations in concert with IST will have the task of maintaining the documents used as cabling standards on campus. IST will provide technical expertise and consulting to Plant Operations on CSA cabling codes and standards, installation procedures and cable plant design. Plant Operations and IST will also have the task of certifying the outside contractors and internal groups that may have access to the cable plant and the associated facilities.
Recommended administration procedures
The attached working document "University of Waterloo Cable Plant Procedures and Guidelines details the standards and practices to be followed in all future cabling installations within University controlled space. Plant Operations, IST and designated representatives from the Faculties will review this document on a regular basis.
In the event of a conflict the final approval, or rejection, of a complaint will be made by Plant Operations
No modifications or attachments to University buildings can occur without the approval of Plant Operations.
All cable installations in University facilities that are not properly installed or documented will be subject to review by Plant Operations and IST. Corrective measures to bring this cabling up to the minimum standards deemed acceptable by Plant Operations will be at the expense of the owner of the cabling system.
Plant Operations or their appointed representatives must review all cabling installations. IST must keep records of all testing of the cable plant.
All cabling installations will be documented and records kept by IST.
Outside contractors and internal groups must provide personnel with training equivalent to the levels specified in the "University of Waterloo Cable Plant Procedures and Guidelines " in order to be considered certified, by Plant Operations, to install or design cable systems within the University of Waterloo facilities.