Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
1.
Telephone system.
Most facilities will require provisions for telephone utility
service and for telephone wiring within the facility. Usually the local telephone com-
pany will provide telephone service to a facility main telephone terminal board in a
customer-furnished conduit.
The customer must determine the type of telephone system needed. This is best
accomplished by determining the present and planned future uses and needs for tele-
phone and data services and then discussing these uses and needs with suppliers of
the systems.
The customer is responsible for telephone and data equipment and wiring within
the facility.
2.
Fire detection and alarm system.
These are specialized systems that are usually
regulated by local fire authorities. In most cases, smoke / heat detectors will be required.
In a ducted HVAC system, a smoke detector(s) may be required in the duct system.
Where a sprinkler system is installed, special monitoring equipment for the sprinkler
system riser will be necessary. In many cases, manual breakglass stations will be
required. Some authorities may require facilities to turn off ventilation, electrical ser-
vice, and standby generation from the outside of the building. Each system is different,
and it is wise to obtain a clear determination of the requirements during design to
avoid later delays in occupying the facility.
Usually, the fire detection apparatus is wired to a fire alarm control panel that
automatically reports to an alarm service company via telephone.
3.
SCADA and computer systems.
Where Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
Systems (SCADA) are to be installed, provisions may be required for communications
between various components in the system, such as from Programmable Logic Con-
trollers (PLCs) to the SCADA central terminal. This communication will usually take
the form of hard wire, such as twisted and shielded wires or coaxial cable. Fiber-optic
cable is becoming common because it provides a communication system immune to
electrical noise. Usually a conduit system will be required for the communications. In
some cases, a radio may be used and antennas will be required as the communications
link.
If computer use is anticipated, computer outlets and network wiring should be
planned as part of the construction. In many cases, this would be coordinated with
telephone wiring and joint use outlets would be provided. Special power outlets may
be needed for computers that are served by uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).
4.
Security.
Security systems may be required, including motion detection, TV sur-
veillance, code pads for entrance and exit, and similar facilities. These facilities will
require conduits for the specialized wiring required.
SITE LAYOUT
Site layout for electrical facilities will vary, depending on the extent of the facilities
to be served.
For a single facility, space allowances will normally be required for a utility pad-
mounted transformer with a primary conduit to the utility primary system and sec-
ondary service conduit(s) into the facility. Usually a telephone service conduit will be
required from the telephone utility to the telephone terminal point in the facility. Ex-
