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| Appendix XV | Standards for use of the Interbuilding Communications Conduit System |
| 1. | Introduction |
| The Berkeley campus is in the process of installing a high capacity underground Interbuilding Communications Conduit System (ICCS). The ICCS will provide the physical infrastructure necessary to support campus communications system media of all types into the foreseeable future. The following standards and procedures are intended to maximize ICCS utilization through efficient and uniform management of the facility. |
| Use of the ICCS is currently managed by the Communication and Network Services department (CNS) of Information Systems and Technology. As the management authority for the ICCS, CNS will provide departments and contractors with routing details, conduit assignments and authorization for use of the ICCS. To ensure optimum use and management of the ICCS it is required that all cable runs through the ICCS be approved by CNS prior to the initiation of work. Planning and design assistance and authorization for installations can be attained by calling the Network Development unit of CNS at (510) 643-5805. CNS will develop and provide a graphical plan for cable installation and an ICCS cable installation agreement to be signed by the installer or contractor. |
| 2. | Definitions |
| The ICCS consists of conduit banks interconnecting a series of underground "communications vaults" (CV's). Conduit paths from the ICCS CV's provide access to individual campus buildings. For the purposes of orientation and numbering of CV's, banks, and conduits the ICCS should be considered as emanating from Evans Hall. |
| 2.1 | Conduit Banks |
| A conduit bank typically consists of fifteen (15) four inch diameter conduits encased in steel reinforced concrete. A sixteenth conduit may be present below the conduit bank, and is intended for drainage between CV's. No cabling should be run through the sixteenth conduit. |
| 2.1.1 | Conduit Bank Numbering |
| Conduit banks are numbered and labeled as to their destinations with permanent markings above the bank on the wall of the CV. Banks are numbered in a clockwise manner as viewed from above. In all cases bank one is the bank feeding the CV from Evans Hall. (See Figure 1) |
| 2.1.2 | Conduit Numbering |
| Within a given conduit bank individual conduits are numbered from the upper left to the right by row, when viewed facing away from Evans Hall. (See Figure 2). |
| 2.1.3 | Conduit Usaage |
| The intended usage of individual conduits within conduit banks have been functionally allotted on the basis of media type. (See Figure 2). |
| 2.2 | Communications Vaults (CV) |
| The underground communications vaults are located wherever a significant change in the direction of a main conduit bank is necessary or a building feeder intersects the ICCS. These vaults provide access for installation and splicing of media, and may be used to locate some in-line communications equipment. CV's are numbered CV1 through CVnn in the historical order of their construction. Numbering is in the form of raised welds on the CV hatch covers. CV's are of two types, Access Boxes and Pull Boxes. |
| 2.2.1 | Access Boxes |
| The interior of an "access box" CV is at least 6 feet by 8 feet in plan, and 7 feet in height. The 6 foot sides are typically used for the main conduit bank penetrations. The 8 foot sides are used for feeder conduit banks or for branch main conduit banks. Access Boxesare capped with 36 inch diameter steel hatch covers secured with two pentagonal-head bolts. |
| 2.2.2 | Pull Boxes |
| Where a CV is required only to accommodate a change in ICCS direction a "pull box" is used. These vaults are typically 5 feet by 5 feet in plan, and 7 feet in height. The main conduit banks usually will penetrate 2 adjacent sides. Pull boxes are capped with 36 inch diameter steel hatch covers secured with two pentagonal-head bolts. |
| 2.2.3 | Handholes |
| Handholes are small pull boxes installed at ground level to facilitate cable pulling and are not a part of the ICCS. They may be found throughout campus in older building feeder conduits and range in size from 2 feet by 2 feet in plan to much larger. Handholes are typically 1 to 3 feet in depth and are capped with hinged, or removable, metal covers. Handholes are not numbered. |
| 3. | Cable Installation Procedures |
| As a service CNS will supply a detailed plan of the ICCS showing each section through which planned cable runs are to be made. The procedures outlined below must be agreed to and followed by all cable installers. |
| 3.1 | Conduit Assignments |
| Without exception, the assignment of all conduits for a given cable installation will be made and specified by CNS. |
| 3.2 | Cable Routing within CV's |
| Cable routing within CV's will be graphically indicated on CNS cable installation plans provided to cabling installers. In general, cable routing within CV's must meet the following criteria to be acceptable. |
| 3.3 | Securing Cables |
| All CV's are constructed with Unistrut channel cast into the CV walls. Cables are to be secured with cable ties to horizontal brackets mounted to the Unistrut. Contractors are to supply and install horizontal mounts where needed. Horizontal mounts must not be overloaded. |
| 3.4 | Labeling Cables |
| Each cable shall be labeled at each transition through a CV or handhole. Labels are to be permanent, waterproof, and firmly attached to the cable. |
| 3.4.1 | Fiber Optic Cable |
| All fiber optic cables are to be fully encased in innerduct throughout CV, pull box, or handhole transitions. Innerduct shall be brightly colored (orange, red, or yellow) in order to clearly identify it as containing fiber optic cable. All innerduct shall be labeled as containing fiber optic cable. |
| 3.4.2 | CNS-Owned Cables |
| The labeling format for CNS-owned cables is: "CNS-BLD1-BLD2-Cable#. BLD1 and BLD2 refer to a three letter abbreviation for the names of buildings at the cable ends. Cable# is a unique number assigned by CNS to each data cable run on the campus. Cable labels for CNS-owned cables will be supplied by CNS and installed by cable installation personnel. |
| 3.4.3 | Non-CNS-Owned Cables |
| Labels for non-CNS-owned cables will approximate the above format. The name of the appropriate department or service unit responsible for the cable, and building names shall be included on the label, Cable# will not be included on the labels. Labels will be supplied by the department, or service unit, owning and installing the cable. |
| 3.5 | Equipment Installed in CV's |
| Where it is necessary to install equipment in CV's, such as CATV repeaters or splice cases, CNS shall approve and specify locations for all such installations. In general, equipment installed in CV's must be permanently mounted to CV walls in such a manner as not to obstruct access to conduits or mounting blocks or inhibit future cable or equipment installations. |
| 3.6 | Securing CV Covers |
| When cable installations are complete all CV covers must be bolted firmly in place with the two pentagonal-head bolts removed for CV access. |
| 3.7 | Safety Precautions |
| 3.7.1 | General Safety |
| There is a routinely high volume of pedestrian traffic on the campus including the visually impaired. At no time may an open CV, pull box, or handhole be left unattended. |
| 3.7.2 | Confinded Spaces |
| All cable installation personnel, contractors, and subcontractors working within the ICCS must conform to the guidelines for confined spaces as set forth in: |
| 1. | California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 8, General Industry Safety Orders, Article 108. |
| 2. | ANSI Z117.1 - 1989 "Safety Requirements for Confined Spaces." |
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