Connect the Classroom, need a comminuty opinion on this install

[chrisjako]

We have 17 schools in our trust currently undergoing installation of this project, our supplier who well established and well known to our community, seems to be rushing it through and subcontracting subcontracters. I visted a primary school today to see how its going and saw a plethora or install issues however this one stood out - I know my opinions of the install but what are your thoughts?

 

[ThatBoringBloke]

That looks like something I'd do.

I am not a professional cabling installer.

[Aprice]

Wouldn't be happy with that.

 

Bit of blown out brick OK, more care should have been taken but wouldn't be overly upset about that.

 

Looks like they have at least siliconed in the hole, but a drip loop should be on that, and more frequent fixings.

 

It's difficult without the context of the other options available to get the cable where it needs to go to judge it too hard, but it just looks lazy to me.

[synaesthesia]

Not acceptable IMO - biggest issue being no proper containment and the bend right on the edge of the roof - movement=friction=failure.

[old_n07]

If that's what the cabling you can see looks like I'd be checking on the parts out of sight too, not something we'd accept as it should be in proper containment as previously said.

[pete]

No drip loop, what appears to be a foam sticker (maybe epoxy?) onto brick for the first retention point, blown out brick at the bottom of the brick.

 

Coming off the roof like that implies they've run the cable straight across a flat roof (vs down to closest facia and then around the edge) which means the fibre will be trashed during roof replacement / repair (likely to happen over the working lifespan of the fibre)

 

Amateur hour.

 

As others have said, there's probably more terrible things hiding in drop ceilings. I'd pop a few ceiling tiles along the run(s) and inspect the work more closely.

[chrisjako]

No drip loop, what appears to be a foam sticker (maybe epoxy?) onto brick for the first retention point, blown out brick at the bottom of the brick.

 

Coming off the roof like that implies they've run the cable straight across a flat roof (vs down to closest facia and then around the edge) which means the fibre will be trashed during roof replacement / repair (likely to happen over the working lifespan of the fibre)

 

Amateur hour.

 

As others have said, there's probably more terrible things hiding in drop ceilings. I'd pop a few ceiling tiles along the run(s) and inspect the work more closely.

 

Nope not epoxy you are 100% correct it is a zip tie foam sticker, the same ones we all know to last around 2-3 days before loosing their tack and falling off, this is also a cat6a cable not a fibre

[Chris_Cook]

Definitely needs a drip loop. I'm not fond of plastic cable ties as they break after a few years when outside in the sunlight. It should probably have 2 fixing points minimum (every 30 cm on horizontal cables, 40cm on vertical), and something better with the edge of the roof. Another fixing point would help stop movement and rubbing.

 

https://www.walraven.com/en/about-walraven/news/18th-edition/

 

What sort of height is that at? if its a low single story building, then I'd want something to protect it from damage if its critical or security related. This really depends on the environment though.

[chrisjako]

Definitely needs a drip loop. I'm not fond of plastic cable ties as they break after a few years when outside in the sunlight. It should probably have 2 fixing points minimum (every 30 cm on horizontal cables, 40cm on vertical), and something better with the edge of the roof. Another fixing point would help stop movement and rubbing.

 

https://www.walraven.com/en/about-walraven/news/18th-edition/

 

What sort of height is that at? if its a low single story building, then I'd want something to protect it from damage if its critical or security related. This really depends on the environment though.

 

I mean if that was me i wouldve come straight out into the external access point so no cable was visible, there is a false celining at the other side to i dont know why they didnt do this, if it did have to have cable external run it would be inside proper trunking.

 

I just hope to got they havent stapled it into the flat felt roof above otherwise we will have water ingress issues youears down the line

[Rob_D]

Nope not epoxy you are 100% correct it is a zip tie foam sticker, the same ones we all know to last around 2-3 days before loosing their tack and falling off, this is also a cat6a cable not a fibre

 

AFAIK, there is technically no such thing as "externally rated"/"external grade" Cat6. As in, that there's no official standard a cable has to meet to be called "external grade". So the cable runs would need to be enclosed otherwise the cable is installed out of specification.

[pete]

this is also a cat6a cable not a fibre

 

Yup, zooming in, it's clearly copper.

 

The exterior sheath is showing the imprint from the twisted pairs. The externally used cable I'm most familiar with has a thicker sheath that wouldn't show that imprinting.

[TheHyperTechie]

As others have noted, I wouldn't be happy about that. It looks rushed... from the picture, it looks like you have some sort of cladding above a door (guess)? Why wouldn't they run the cable through that, and then run it up the corner out of sight?