MD ANDERSON Project No. XX-XXXX / MD ANDERSON Project Name
A/E Name / Issue Description
A/E Project No. / Month, 00, 0000

SECTION 27 21 33 - DATA COMMUNICATIONS WI-FI ACCESS POINTS

PART 1 - general

1.01related documents

  1. Drawings and general provisions of the Contract, including General Conditions and Division 01 Specification Sections, apply to this Section.
  2. Specifications throughout all Divisions of the Project Manual are directly applicable to this Section, and this Section is directly applicable to them, including but not limited to the following:
  3. Division 07 - Penetration Fire stopping
  4. Section 27 00 00 - Communications
  5. Section 270526 - Grounding and Bonding for Communications Systems
  6. Section 270528 - Pathways for Communications Systems
  7. Section 270543 - Underground Ducts and Raceways for Communications Systems
  8. Section 27 05 53 - Identification for Low-Voltage Cables
  9. Section 271100 - Communications Equipment Room Fittings
  10. Section 271300 - Communications Backbone Cabling
  11. Section 271500 - Communications Horizontal Cabling

1.02SUMMARY

  1. This section specifies requirements for the design/layout, and installation of communications data outlets that are to serve IEEE 802.11 wireless access points (WAPs).
  2. Wireless access point design needs to be a perimeter layout first then moving into the core of the building.
  3. Wireless Design cannot be validated until a wireless spectrum survey is completed at Post-Construction.

1.03DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

  1. Coverage areas
  2. All building spaces shall have coverage for currently supported Wi-Fi standards this includes 802.11a/g/n at a minimum SNR of 25dBM.
  3. Coordinate with ITS during design for best indoor and outdoor locations.
  4. Density of communication outlets for WAPs
  5. Patient care – one per 2000 gross square feet.
  6. Other typical buildings – one per 2300 gross square feet.
  7. Unique requirements
  8. Auditoriums and large classrooms utilize applications requiring a high density of WAP coverage and also require special accommodations for WAP installations. The WAP density is driven by concurrent users sessions and bandwidth requirements in the space instead of area coverage. Close consultation with ITS is required.
  9. Proper installation and mounting of WAPs in these spaces may result in WAPs with moderate to high visibility. Mounting above a hard deck ceiling or below a hard floor or in proximity to metal building components, HVAC ducts, etc. can diminish the wireless signal beyond the tolerances for a high-density deployment. Current deployments of WAPs in these types of spaces typically have WAPs visibly mounted to both the ceiling and underneath the classroom seating in box enclosures or from the walls.
  10. Cabling pathways to ceiling mount WAP locations as well floor or wall locations must be planned. Pathways may require rigid conduit placed above ceiling, or in the wall.
  11. Some auditorium or large classroom configuration may require the use of external antennas connected to the WAPs. These antennas may mount as patches or poles and may require being mounted in visible locations.
  12. Identification on drawing floor plans
  13. Communications data outlets for WAPs shall have a distinct symbol on the drawings.
  14. Cabling infrastructure
  15. Each communications data outlet for a WAP is to be served by one (1) category 5e Orange cable terminated with a 8P8C connector.
  16. Cable locations/mounting will be designed for below ceiling and flush mounted WAPs. Any exceptions, such as high-density locations, shall be approved by ITS.
  17. Distance limitation of external antennae coax cable is one meter.

1.04SUBMITTALS

  1. The following submittals are due at the Pre-Construction Phase, in accordance with submittal requirements in Section 27 00 00 Communications:
  2. Shop Drawings
  3. Provide scaled drawings (not less than 1/8” = 1’-0”) indicating location of communications outlets for the WAPs, as well as the routing of conduits and locations of all pull points (to include pull boxes, communications LB, etc.). These locations shall be coordinated with all other trades.
  4. The following submittals are due Post-Construction, in accordance with the submittal requirements in Section 27 00 00 Communications:
  5. Record Drawings
  6. Provide scaled AutoCad and PDF drawings (not less than 1/8” = 1’-0”) indicating actual location of communications outlets for the WAPs, as well as the actual installed routing of conduits and locations of all pull points. Design or shop drawings with field notes will not be accepted.

PART 2 - PRODUCTS

2.01GENERAL

  1. ITS may provide the WAPs and related equipment (POE switches, patch cables, controllers) in its scope of the project, and can provide the architects specifications for aesthetic concerns. Equipment changes frequently, so the project must get the current part numbers from ITS.
  2. Typically used WAP models:
  3. Cisco Aironet 3502i Access Point
  4. Cisco Aironet 3502e Access Point

PART 3 - EXECUTION

3.01GENERAL

  1. Contractor shall install WAPs after substantial completion (requires all cabling/mounting be installed and tested in secure communication closets).
  2. WAP’s shall not be mounted any higher than nine feet (Which will allow for maintenance with a five foot ladder).
  3. Wireless Spectrum Survey shall be performed after installation to validate the wireless design.

END OF SECTION 27 21 33

The University of Texas / DATA COMMUNICATIONS WI-FI ACCESS POINTS
MD Anderson Cancer Center / 27 21 33
MS101013 / 1 of 3