Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
ment will be located in the same area. Rooms containing network hardware such as
servers, bridges, and routers are properly called equipment rooms (ERs). ERs may be
combined with telecommunications rooms at any level, including MCs, ICs, and TRs.
The space requirements for wiring closets are clearly defined in EIA/TIA-569.
The minimum size for a TR or IC is 7 by 10 ft (2.2 by 3 m). This space is designed
to serve a 5000-square-foot area (500 square meters). A minimum size for an ER is
150 square feet (14 square meters). Table 14.2 shows the sizes for other served
areas. Note that the metric conversions are greatly rounded in this standard. This is
referred to as a “soft” conversion, and you should use the dimension in the appro-
priate unit of measure for your normal building plan dimensions.
These sizes are really minimums, but should be adequate for most instances. In
the case of equipment collocation with wiring closets, you will need to adjust the
size of the room accordingly. Remember that you need to have space in front and
back of racks, rails, and servers for routine maintenance in the wiring closet. While
you may be tempted to put the recommended area into a narrow space, remember
that your LAN workers, installers, and vendors will have to work in that area, and
will be hampered by too small a space.
Many telecommunications rooms have networking equipment that will require elec-
trical power. Power outlets for telecommunications rooms should be on dedicated
circuits. A dedicated circuit is one that serves only one outlet, or a series of outlets
TABLE 14.2
Recommended Telecommunications Room and Equipment Room Sizes
Served zone
Telecommunications room
Square meters
Square feet
Meters
Feet
500
5,000
2.2
3
7
10
800
8,000
2.8
3
9
10
1000
10,000
3
3.4
10
11
Equipment rooms
Workstations
Square meters
Square feet
Up to 100
14
150
101 to 400
37
400
401 to 800
74
800
801 to 1200
111
1200
(Source: TIA-569-B)
