Cabling Site Surveys

So, you need a bit of cabling infrastructure work done. Maybe you are moving into a new office and need ethernet lines run. Or maybe some classrooms need projectors set up before the new school year starts. In any event, each project is going to be a bit unique. The existing infrastructure will determine which methodology is best for your particular set-up. Performing a site survey is crucial towards ensuring the rest of the project runs smoothly.

Prepping for a Survey

The goal of a site survey is for the surveyor to gain a full understanding of the project site layout. This knowledge is critical for formulating an installation plan. These professionals will need a few things from the client in order to conduct the survey successfully. Be prepared to work with them at the job site.

Someone will need to be at the project site to let the surveyor into the building. If the surveyor does not have a way in, the survey cannot be completed. The on-site representative should also be able to point the surveyor in the direction of the project site. For something like a demarc extension, this would be the MPOE (Main/Minimum Point of Entry), the spot where cables from the utility company enter the building. For something like a speaker installation, it will be whatever room the speakers are going into. Plan accordingly depending on what type of project is being surveyed.

If there is any documentation for the building, it can make the site survey quicker. Internally, this can include floor plans, roof plans, power plans, HVAC plans, and/or sprinkler plans. Externally, a site plan showing property lines, power lines, water pipes, gas pipes, trees, roads, and other obstacles can also be useful. Again, exactly what types of plans will help is going to depend on what kind of service the surveyor is examining the site for.

Brand-New vs. Upgrades

If a job site is new, site surveys and installations go very smoothly. The new cabling and other equipment can be run and set up fairly easily. Key considerations here include determining what kind of services will be needed (voice, data, video, etc.). The location of the equipment room is another critical factor, with that location acting as the hub of the network. What materials the building is made of is also a major factor, such as running cables behind a wooden wall vs. a concrete wall. The floor plans and other related documents will determine the best options when going through this step.

Available pathways are key when planning any infrastructure. Where are the pathways available? How much open space is there? Is there other equipment such as ventilation ducts that could get in the way? Where are outlet spaces available for connecting new lines? Any installation will be limited by the size and shape of the project site’s infrastructure.

When it comes to existing systems, there is a little more prep work involved. The site survey will determine where the new equipment will connect to the current infrastructure. This is typically determined by the location of an equipment room or telecom closet and what kind of space is available in the walls, floors, and ceilings between that point and the work site. For multi-building installations such as universities, this will include connecting to the main network.

The survey will also determine if additional equipment such as a rack or cabinet is needed. In areas holding heavy equipment, this involves checking the floor-loading capacity. If heavy equipment is needed, surveyors will also check if an elevator is needed and if the available elevators can also handle the size and weight of the equipment. It also includes making sure a ground is available for electrical connections.

Installation Safety

Getting equipment in place is one thing, but ensuring it will run safely is another matter. Electronic equipment is very sensitive and factors such as temperature control, humidity control, dust contamination, and other environmental conditions must be considered. Sources of EMI (electromagnetic interference) must also be located and marked to ensure any new equipment does not suffer performance issues.

In the event of an emergency, potential hazards also need to be identified. Are there fire extinguishers or a sprinkler system available? Are any fire barriers in place or are firestopping measures needed? Is emergency lighting available during a power outage? Is there any chance of the room being flooded? Precautions can ensure these and other factors have a minimum chance of causing equipment damage.

Along with safety, security must also be taken into account. Will any servers and related equipment be kept in a locked room? Where will the access point be and how will authorized users get in? Will there also be locked cabinets within the room? Keeping hardware secure is just as critical as keeping it safe and the two often go hand-in-hand.

Copper vs. Fiber

Fiber lines are becoming more popular but many installations still use copper to save on costs. Copper installations are still more common and take a few simple questions into consideration during a survey. What applications will be used (voice, data, POE)? What data speeds are needed? Modular or 110-type? T568-A or T568-B? Cross-connect or interconnect?

Fiber installations will have some of the same considerations, such as what applications are used and bandwidth requirements. Other factors unique to fiber such as single-mode vs. multimode will also need to be taken into consideration. Many of these unique factors are roughly equivalent to other factors that apply only to copper lines, so the site surveyor can help users compare and make recommendations.

Completing a Site Survey

Once a site survey has been completed, INC will start formulating a plan around the services needed to get the job site up and running. After that information is compiled, a quote will be prepared. The quote will point out any areas of potential concern noticed during the survey to ensure there are no surprises once the work starts. Different options may be available based on performance options and budgetary considerations. Increased performance is often worth a little additional investment, as is setting things up right the first time to avoid problems down the road.

At INC, we perform site surveys for offices, educational facilities, residential buildings, industrial plants, and more. A simple survey is the start of preparing your building for network installations, IT upgrades, cable management systems, and other services. Whether a network uses copper lines, fiber-optic cable, coax runs, or even wireless systems, INC is ready to get the job done right.

If you have additional questions on this process, please call us directly at 888-519-9525 or request a quote here. Our team will work with you to prepare the site survey and customize your installation project.