• On-site inventory and tagging of abandoned cable & equipment in Telecommunication Rooms, Risers, and Plenum areas.
• Inspection and inventory of existing telecommunications infrastructure.
• On-site assessment of telecommunications infrastructure.
• Removal of tagged cable, hardware, and equipment.
• Some lease agreements/contracts state that the exiting tenant must remove all phone and data cabling & equipment. Call for a free quote for removal.

The National Electrical Code® (NEC) 800.2 & 800.52

defines abandoned cable as, "Installed communications cable that is not terminated at both ends at a connector or other equipment and not identified for future use with a tag" and further states that, "The accessible portions of abandoned communications cables shall be removed. 

Since 2002, the NEC standards have stated the removal of abandoned cable as a code requirement.  The NEC codes clearly point out dangers from the fire and toxic nature of the legacy telecom cables.  These cables need to be removed, not just worked around, for the safety of both tenants and emergency responders.

The legacy cable creates headaches for IT and property managers, not only in terms of labor and disposal costs, but also from a network performance and safety standpoint.

Uncovering the Hazards of Old Cables

Outdated or abandoned cables can contain highly flammable and toxic material.

Hazards from the Technology Revolution

Each year, businesses across the nation spend millions in technology improvements that supercharge their productivity. Copper gives way to optical; USB to FireWire, POTS to ISDN. And with each new installation, more cables are encased in ceilings, floors and closets. Now, all of that unused cabling is the subject of increased scrutiny by fire protection professionals, property owners and local government and building authorities across the country.

Why? Because outdated or abandoned cables can contain highly flammable and toxic material. Often they have been installed with jacketed materials that further increase the risk of harm to people and property in the event of fire. In fact, some of the insulation materials that were used have the Btu content of gasoline!

New Rules and Liabilities

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has revised the National Electrical Code to address this issue. Now, unused cables that are not identified for future use must be removed. Since many facilities have several generations of cables snaking through floors and ceilings, the task of distinguishing between functioning and abandoned cable can be monumentally difficult.

Voice, data, audio, coaxial and fiber optic cabling are all subject to the change in code, and local authorities have stepped up their enforcement efforts. Insurers are becoming equally vigilant in their fire coverage.

Taking Initiative

In localities where the code has already been adopted, violations can subject owners to government sanctions. Importantly however, they can affect the owner’s loan covenants, access to insurance, obligations to tenants – and liabilities to victims in the event of fire. Property owners are recognizing the enormous implications of the code change for their businesses. But many wonder how to even get a handle on the extent of the problem in their buildings.

THE CABLE ABATEMENT EXPERTS

LCWinc can survey your facilities, inventory and document those cables that are in use, and remove abandoned cables with minimal disruption to ongoing business functions. Please contact your LCWinc  for more details about this issue and our cable abatement services.