very high network sockets!

[danielson81]

Hi there,

 

We had two network sockets relocated during half term basically from the room above, to the room below.

 

According to the caretaker they “didnt have enough cable” and installed the sockets high up, almost near the ceiling. They could of comeback, but the caretaker thought it was best to get the job done there and then I don’t know who to blame, the caretaker for saying “just get it done” or the company for not having enough cable in the first place.

 

Update: They just rang and said the cable they re-ran wasn’t long enough, hence the high sockets. They are now saying the whole cable needs to be re-run if we want it lower down.

 

When they came in to quote, I told them where to relocate the sockets, one near existing computer and one near window. I would of though the quote would have accounted for this.

 

Any advice appreciated!

 

Pictures are enclosed.

[pooley]

I would of thought if they surveyed and wrote down where you asked them to put the sockets then they should come back and put it right!

[maniac]

Nonsense, they wouldn't have to re-run the entire cable - you can get cable couplers which will allow you to extend existing cables. Although it's not considered best practise to use them, there's nothing wrong with doing so if it's necessary.

 

We've had a large number of ports re-located in this school and quite a few cables have been extended as a result and they passed all the tests absolutely fine.

 

Mike.

[Gibson335]

If they didn't put the points where you asked them to, then they are responsible - they should have ensured they had enough cable. However, who signed the job off as being acceptable? If they refuse, it may not be worth fighting it, but certainly you should make sure they know you'll never use them again.

[danielson81]

update: the head has just phoned them up and kicked off

[Michael]

This has got to be a joke surely? I've never known any company to install them high up without good reason. The exception being for Access Points which work off PoE. The higher they are the better due to the metal in the tables and chairs. Edited November 3, 2009 by Michael

[bertster]

Depends on what you agreed with the installer.

 

1) If the sockets being moved were to use the original cable then theres always a possibility that theres not enough length to reach the new location.

 

2) However if they were running new cables from the network cabinet / switch to the new location then its down to the installer to measure the distance and use the correct length. Its not difficult for them the cable is marked so they can easily see the distance they need. Additionally the cable is supplied on a drum so there is no excuse for not getting the correct length - you just keep pulling it through until it reaches the correct location - prior to any cutting! Its not difficult...

 

Only you will know which of the above was agreed, but if its #2 then simply dont pay and insist on them being re-run (I dont advise coupling cables togther).

 

Alternatively high network points are ideal for Wireless Access Points (poe)!

[danielson81]

Update: The Head and them had a long phone conversation and she has agreed for them to correct it for £75 as she doesnt want a fight on her hands.

[AJT1]

Update: The Head and them had a long phone conversation and she has agreed for them to correct it for £75 as she doesnt want a fight on her hands.

 

How long are the cable runs for £75, and for that you want to make sure they don't just couple them!

[sandeep2504]

There's no way i would stand for this!

 

It seems someone has messed up and needs to take responsibility!

 

It sounds like you dont work during half term; is that correct?

 

If you've put the location on the quote then either the contractors or the caretaker has messed up.

 

The caretaker saying “just get it done” is not exactly helping the situation but if he the person responsible for making sure ICT jobs are done properly during holidays then its his/her fault.

 

If the cable was too short then the contractors is too blame in the first instance.

 

The cheek of them to ask for £75 as well!

 

I would have thought it would have been common sense not to have network points high on the wall for computers!

[sippo]

Surely someone should've used common sense here. Why the hell would anyone need/want a data socket that high up in a classroom?

[maniac]

Surely someone should've used common sense here.

 

What is this strange concept you speak of?

[AngryTechnician]

You should be grateful, having them up that high makes the data come down to the workstation faster, like how they pump water up into towers to increase the mains pressure.

[AJT1]

You should be grateful, having them up that high makes the data come down to the workstation faster, like how they pump water up into towers to increase the mains pressure.

 

you joke but that could be the reason they installed them so high up, lol.

[Sylv3r]

I wouldn't be happy for them to be up there. I would sit on the invoice until I was completely 100% satisfied although I guess your caretaker saying just put them up there covers the companies back.

[Michael]

Maybe the 7'2" Russian boxer Valuev installed them? Joking aside if the caretaker ok'ed it it does put the school in a dilemma, especially if he/she signed documentation. I think they should of used their initiative and phoned you danielson81 before making a decision.

[wesleyw]

I thought he was only 7' must be still growing

[Michael]

You may be right actually, but he's still the beast from the east. Wouldn't fancy trying to beat him

[mac_shinobi]

At least it's out of the kids and teachers way so they don't bodge the data points but I would complain and get them to re do it as that's what the original quote was for and surely going maplins or any place that sells network cabling wouldn't of been that hard to do before they did the job

 

surely one requirement before doing this sort of job would of been

 

get aprox distance between both points + or - aprox 5-10 meters to ensure plenty of cable when doing the run

 

then compare to total remainder of cable that they had, the care taker saying just do it has nothing to do with what was quoted for and am guessing they were shown what to do before the holiday/ half term?

[mac_shinobi]

Maybe the 7'2" Russian boxer Valuev installed them? Joking aside if the caretaker ok'ed it it does put the school in a dilemma, especially if he/she signed documentation. I think they should of used their initiative and phoned you danielson81 before making a decision.

 

It's the school IT department paying for the job and who needs the job doing not the care taker so they clearly asked the wrong person but on the negative side the care taker should of been left explicitly clear instructions ie if they have any questions or want confirmation of the job then call xyz on 1234578 or make sure that care taker knew exactly where the Dara points were meant to go and to not sign for work until it was done

[wesleyw]

Not without a really big stick Sadly I'd be in his weight category if I boxed but at only 6'3 I think I'd have issues getting close to even hit him with a stick lol

 

Wes

[TechSupp]

That looks like they did not run any new cable runs at all and just fed the cable down from above and re terminated the socket. If you measure down to the new socket from the roof then take away the floor I bet that the distance left will be the same almost that the original socket was from the floor! Don't pay, they are just swinging that one!

[maniac]

That looks like they did not run any new cable runs at all and just fed the cable down from above and re terminated the socket. If you measure down to the new socket from the roof then take away the floor I bet that the distance left will be the same almost that the original socket was from the floor! Don't pay, they are just swinging that one!

 

If I were a betting man, I'd say you were more than likely correct with that analysis.

[K.C.Leblanc]

I'm going to be unpopular here. If I'd asked to have some sockets moved I'd expect them to use the same cable run. If I wanted a new cable run I'd have asked them for new sockets and had the old ones left well alone.

 

Why didn't you just ask for new sockets.

[danielson81]

Thanks,

 

Basically there were 3 sockets in the attic room upstairs, which is now basically a storeroom. (it had steep stairs to it and was a H&S issue, so no longer used for small group work etc.)

 

I asked them to move 2 of the sockets in to the new classroom below, as the original run goes past the new classroom, I asked if they could "hijack" this run and place 2 new sockets, using this run in the classroom.

 

What they did was exactly that, but the existing cable wouldn't reach any further than where they put the sockets now. However when they came in to quote I pointed out where the sockets should go, ie one near exsiting computer and one near window. I mistakenly assumed these would be put near the ground like the 32 other sockets (& every other socket in the school!) they installed in our new ICT suite last year.

 

I agree there has been a communication issue between myself and the caretaker, but common sense has somewhat been lacking here. However me and the school willl learn from this. The LEA and governors may write to them and complain. The LEA has a list of cabling contractors with comments from schools on, and no doubt this will be added to it.