Modern Building Services

MODERN BUILDING SERVICES JULY/AUGUST 2021 23 FEATURE ELECTRICAL SERVICES With this in mind, suppliers such as REHAU have been focusing on cable blowing-in boxes as a potential avenue for innovation. The development of an internally or externally-mounted box that could catch the cable when it enters the property would allow a single installer to quickly connect multiple homes from the distribution point, allowing for easier scheduling with existing homeowners. FTTP and FTTD Aswell as using this process for FTTP installations, it is also possible to build infrastructure that allows for end-to- end, in-house cabling arrangement known as fibre-to-the-desk (FTTD). The FTTD stage is already in place in many public administration offices, universities, computing centres and hospitals.Without the signal being split by anONUbut instead going straight to an individual work stations, already excellent broadband speeds can be further improved, with users able to access speeds of up to 10 Gbits/s andmore. Both options are made possible via internal micro ducts that act as cable protection and can be installed during the building process. Crucially, as these ducts are very small, they can be deployed into all areas within the premises without wasting significant areas for excessively large installation shafts. In turn, this results in more efficient and streamlined building design and construction, regardless of whether specifiers and developers opt for FTTD or FTTP. Non-hazardous cable protection Beyond opting for internal ducting that is able to accommodate the cable blowing-in processes, there are other factors building professionals must consider when installing cable infrastructure. For example, they must adhere to criteria set out by the International Electrotechnical Commission concerning the selection of wiring systems in low- voltage electrical installations. According to this, electrical installation ducts must meet British Standard (BS) EN 61386, which stipulates that the system’s installation must not interfere with the building’s occupational and fire safety. Crucially, if the cables and lines are classified in accordance with this standard, no additional special measures are required during the installation, allowing building professionals to make potential cost and time savings. Additionally, ensuring any indoor ducting does not present further hazards in the event of a fire is a vital concern to developers and specifiers. Non-adherent ducting may emit smoke and toxic or corrosive gases when exposed to heat that could place building occupants at risk. Because of this, construction professionals must look for low smoke free of halogen (LSOH) solutions when considering cable infrastructure. Safety standards REHAU’s RAUSPEED Inhouse micro ducts, for example; are suitable for indoor installation and offer maximum safety in the event of fire. They generate minimal smoke in the event of a fire when compared to standard PE ducts, in accordance with BS:EN 61034-2 regulations regarding smoke density. They are also self-extinguishing to ensure no spread of fire through the pipes, as set out in BS EN 61386- 1, and as they are halogen-free, the release of toxic gases when burning is minimised to a non- hazardous level. Alongside this, RAUSPEED is made of high-quality, durable material that offers reliable pressure resistance, resulting in a practical and safe ducting solution. In conclusion; today’s increasingly linked-up worldmeans that cabling infrastructure is a key issue in the design and building of any commercial premises. With this in mind, it is vital building professionals are aware of the cabling infrastructure concerns at play when constructing new premises. This includes accommodating space for internal ducting into its design, and ensuring the safest possible LSOH solutions in accordance with regulations. By engaging expertise in the fibre optic technology space, developers and specifiers can enjoy peace-of- mind, knowing their building is fit for the future. More information can be found at www.rehau.com/uk-en/ telecommunication