Maybe it's because I grew up in a poor rural area in the 50's when we didn't have all the gadgets and toys that people have now, or because in the 27 years I worked as a teacher I never had my own classroom, but, I'm the type of person who tends to "make do."  When I was doing tech work, I had very little patience for people who wanted to re-design their rooms, thereby making me (I didn't do cabling) find someone to re-cable their room, and the school pay for an electrician to come in and put in new outlets.  Even better were the teachers who didn't ask if it were possible, would tear it all apart, move it, and then want me to come in and put it all back together for them - with no outlets or network jacks.  People tell me I'm very patient working with them, but this one used to push me to my limit! 

Joanne Finnegan
Technology Integration Specialist
Chittenden East Supervisory Union
(voice) (802) 858-1728
(fax) (802) 899-1059
>>> "Isham, David" <[log in to unmask]> 07/27/08 10:15 AM >>>
Yes, it's against code to lay CAT5 on a suspended ceiling. I've seen a licensed electrician do it, though. Maybe that is not the right pro for this work?
I stopped doing the cabling  when our IT dept was cut in 1/2 anyway. Moving a computer across the room because it "feels better there" is discouraged. 
 
David Isham
Network Administrator
Grand Isle Supervisory Union
5038 US Rte 2
North Hero, VT 05474
802-372-6921 vox
802-372-4898 fax

________________________________

From: School Information Technology Discussion on behalf of Craig Lyndes
Sent: Fri 7/25/2008 6:45 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: A heads up...



How timely.  I just finished spending the day running wires at SACS.

The only rationale I can see for this rule change is to keep the
"amateurs" from stealing the work from the business men.  This is low
voltage!  There is no fire danger!

OK, in the construction trades there are lots of rules that make
everything work if everyone follows them.  For all the IT people out
there a few questions;

Do you ever run cable over the hanging ceiling?  I mean just let it lie
on the ceiling?  If you are an HVAC contractor this makes your blood
boil, because they have to take down the ceiling to add/replace duct
work.  The rules say all wires are suspended independently of everything
else.  However, today as I was running wires I noticed at least 3 other
wiring projects where they just lay the wires on the hanging ceiling.  I
try to suspend it whenever I can, usually wire tying it to the wires
that support the ceiling, but I don't have the tools to drive J-hooks
into the pre-stressed concrete above the ceilings, so sometimes it just
lays where it falls.

We're all careful to use plenum rated wire where it is required, right? 
Even though it is twice as expensive.

While we're running wires we never stress, move or disrupt the intercom,
phone, TV, alarm, HVAC or power wiring that is in the same spaces do we?

The buildings I work in were constructed before technology became as
pervasive as it is today.  The electric outlet issue is very painful. 
But if you make it so expensive to do it right that it just isn't
possible, then people work around it in even worse ways.  Daisy chained
power strips, extension cords across walk ways, extension cords looped
up through the ceiling.  If you place in the wall data wiring out of
reach too then the same thing will happen.

A note to the contractors that think they will benefit from the school
maintenance and IT people not being able to run low voltage.  You will
not get any more business unless you can convince your neighbors to pay
higher property taxes and better support the schools.

Come to think of it, I really wouldn't mind never running wires again,
just calling someone else and having them do it.  It is dirty messy
work.  If the state can legislate this away from us, does that mean they
have to fund the schools hiring contractors to do low voltage wiring? 
If so - bring it on!!!

Sincerely
Craig Lyndes


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