Scott D. Thompson
President
Oberon, Inc.
Task Group Member TIA-1179
Healthcare Facility Cabling Standard
Senior Member, IEEE
Wireless Systems in
Healthcare Environments
Including ICRA and TIA 1179
Oberon’s Mission:
Oberon is the preferred source for wireless LAN access point
enclosures, installation and mounting solutions, antennas, and
workspace telecom enclosures for cost effective, secure, code
compliant, aesthetic enterprise Wi-Fi deployments. Oberon's
products are designed by experts with exceptional in-the-field,
wireless LAN industry experience.
Oberon has formalized agreements with the following
manufacturers for engineered enclosure and mounting
solutions for wireless networks:
We manufacture ceiling and wall mounted Telecommunications Enclosures (TEs) for wireless LAN
access points and other networking components
Wireless AP enclosure
Workspace Telecom Enclosures
Agenda

How are (Wi-Fi, DAS) endpoints (Access points, Remotes)
installed?

Infection control requirements (ICR) in Hospitals

Code Compliance: Working in the “plenum” space

TIA-1179 and wireless networks

Reliable performance mandates

Aesthetics

Who to sell to
Healthcare Wi-Fi and DAS
-
Hospitals were “early adopters” of wireless networking
-
In hospitals, wireless networking is mission critical, serving
point of care (bedside) applications, mobile workstations on
carts (COWS), EHR, mobile asset tracking, RFID, telemetry,
voice, etc.
-
Hospitals have special requirements that are becoming
more widely adopted:
o
o
o
o
o
Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA)
Strict adherence to codes and standards (NEC and TIA)
Physical Security
Preservation of the design for mandated performance
Aesthetics
Installing Wireless LAN Access Points (APs) and
Cellular in-building wireless (or DAS) remote
units (herein referred to as “APs”
• Method 1: AP above the ceiling
• Method 2: AP attached to ceiling grid
• Method 3: AP in a ceiling enclosure or locking mount
• Method 4: AP on the wall
Preferred installation orientation for
best coverage
AP above ceiling
AP in enclosure
AP on the ceiling grid
AP on the wall
Method 1: AP above the
ceiling- things to avoid
Cracked
ceiling tile
A lot of metal
“Poke thru” antenna
Method 1: AP above the ceiling
• Use a hanger sturdy enough for AP, use a support wire
• Equipment should be UL 2043 “Plenum rated”
Support Wire
Oberon P/N 1045-00 above-ceiling hanger
Method 2: AP on the Ceiling Grid
•
•
•
•
Avoid lifting ceiling tile
Minimize hole in tile
Conceal cable
Lock AP
Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA)

In Healthcare, the Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation
requires that hospitals establish procedures for mitigating the
spread of infectious disease and contaminants- limiting access
to the space above suspended ceilings (where dust has
accumulated)

Infection control risk assessment (ICRA) could have a serious
impact on the times and conditions for cabling installation,
moves, adds and changes, particularly in the air-handling
“plenum” space, above suspended ceilings, or walls

Breaches in the ceiling system should be avoided

Contractors performing work in violation of ICRA procedures will
be precluded from future bidding
Infection Control Requirements (ICR)
Lifting or removing ceiling tiles requires
the installer to:
 Use Negative Air Pressure Enclosure
(NAPE), or “tent off” the work area
 Use a HEPA air filter
OR
Method 3: Install AP in a ceiling
enclosure or locking mount to
simplify ICRA procedure compliance
Oberon model 1052
With ZDUAL antennas on door
Method 3: Install AP in a ceiling
enclosure or locking mount to
simplify ICRA procedure compliance
Oberon model 1059
ICRA in Healthcare
Method 3: Install AP in a ceiling
enclosure or locking mount to
simplify ICRA procedure compliance
Oberon 1052-CCOANT
Antennas on door
Oberon 1052-CCOAP
AP in the Door
Code Compliance
- Hospitals are strict adherents to building safety codes and
telecommunications standards
-Many Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) will require strict
NEC compliance and UL listing of installed components
-Burn ratings of ceiling systems must be retained
- Oberon’s enclosures are designed to satisfy National Electric
Code (NEC) paragraphs 300.22 and 300.23 for installation in the
air-handling (plenum) space
- All of Oberon’s ceiling enclosure products are UL listed
N.E.C COMPLIANCE
- Article 300.22(C)(3) “Electrical
equipment with a metal enclosure, or
electrical equipment with a
nonmetallic enclosure listed for use
within an air-handling space…….
shall be permitted to be installed in
such other space unless prohibited
elsewhere in this Code”.
- Article 300.23 “cables, race-ways
and equipment installed behind
panels, including suspended ceiling
tiles, shall be arranged and secured
so as to allow removal of panels and
access to the equipment.”
Method 3: Install AP in a ceiling
enclosure or locking mount to
ensure code compliance
Oberon model 1028 w ZDUAL Antennas
Code Compliance
TIA-1179 Healthcare Facility
Telecommunications Cabling Standard

Recognizes that “adding or changing horizontal cabling may cause
disruption to occupants and their work once the buildings ceiling
and walls are closed”

Adding or changing horizontal cabling could result in a net
decrease in care being provide, jeopardizing infection control
measures….

Advocates use of enclosed pathways in air-handling spaces to
avoid disruption of operations

Advocates planning well ahead in cabling design and capacity

Telecommunications enclosures (TEs) are an option in areas
subject to infection control measures

TRs and TEs should incorporate additional security measures to
restrict access (Workgroup switches and APs)
TIA-1179 Healthcare Facility
Telecommunications Cabling Standard
• Recognizing that many healthcare installations make use of a
number of wireless applications, “It is recommended that the
wireless environment be characterized and understood prior to
the design, choice, and installation of cabling to ensure
satisfactory operation”
• Telecommunications Industry Association TIA 569-B – accepts
use of telecommunications enclosures in the ceiling space to
secure wireless access points and other networking appliances,
and advocates protecting infrastructure
Method 3: Install AP in a ceiling
enclosure or locking mount for
standards compliance and best
practice
Oberon 1072-00
DAS, Wi-Fi AP and Switch in Enclosure
Physical Security and Reliable
Performance Mandates
• Some jurisdictions have enacted ordinances that include
provisions for radio coverage of public safety signals within
the building as a condition of occupancy
• Includes signal level and reliability


Grapevine, TX - Ord. No. 109.2 , Min signal -107 dBm, 95 % of each floor
800 MHz band, Adjacent band filtering, 8 hour battery backup
• Suggests requirement to “lock down” the wireless
infrastructure
• Furthermore, protection of confidential patient information
(HIPAA), suggests access points should be physically
secured
Method 3: Install AP in a ceiling
enclosure or locking mount for
physical security and reliable
performance mandates
Oberon model 1030 w/ ceiling flange
Improve RF coverage and preserve the site survey
Method 3: Install AP in a ceiling
enclosure or locking mount for
physical security and reliable
performance mandates
Oberon model 1052 with ZDUAL antennas
Physical Protection of AP and Antennas
Method 4: Install AP on wall
enclosure or locking mount for
physical security and reliable
performance mandates
Oberon model 1022 w ZDUAL Antennas
Prevent obstruction or tampering
Method 4: Install AP on wall
enclosure or locking mount for
physical security and reliable
performance mandates
Oberon 1032-C
Locking Case
Oberon 1029-00
Right Angle Wall Bracket
Method 4: Install AP on wall
enclosure or locking mount for
physical security and reliable
performance mandates
When using NEMA
boxes outside:
• Avoid direct sun
• Avoid Metal
NEMA Enclosures
• Consider thermal
rise. See Oberon
application note at
http://www.oberonwireless.com/WebDocs/App_Note_Calculating_temperature_rise_in_Enclosures.pdf
Aesthetics

Unlike most data com infrastructure products,
the wireless access point or antenna is highly
visible

Many hospitals have aesthetics committees

Architects may specify color and style

Custom styles and colors are available
Method 3: Install AP in a ceiling
enclosure or locking mount for
aesthetic, professional installation
Oberon model 1053 with Cisco antennas
Aesthetics and Convenience
Method 3: Install AP in a ceiling
enclosure or locking mount for
aesthetic, professional installation
Oberon model 1064 w Cisco 1140 AP
Architectural style match
Simplify Moves, Adds,
Changes, and technology
upgrades

Terminate cable at the enclosure, test and
verify cabling at that point

Un-necessary to lift ceiling tile to service
access points

Methods to easily migrate to new vendors and
technologies
Method 3: Install AP in a ceiling
enclosure or locking mount to
simplify moves, adds, changes, and
technology upgrades
Oberon model 38-1052-ADPDOOR-AP105
Interchangeable doors permit simple upgrades
to completely different access points
Method 3: Install AP in a ceiling
enclosure or locking mount to
simplify moves, adds, changes, and
technology upgrades
Oberon 1068-00
Oberon 1068-00 with Cisco AP
Oberon 1068-00 with Aruba Networks AP
Oberon 1068-00 with Ruckus AP
Universal locking ceiling mount
Who to sell to

Telecom/datacom infrastructure- cabling and
wireless personnel

Plant Services or Facilities Personnel

Infection prevention and control coordinator or
Infection Preventionist- in Quality Control or
Patient Services Department

Public safety/in-building comm coordinator

Bio-Medical personnel
Other verticals where Oberon
wireless enclosures may be required:
-Healthcare- Many hospitals have Infection Control Risk Assessment
(ICRA) procedures. These procedures mitigate access to the space
above ceiling tiles to restrict the spread of infectious diseases.
- Retail – The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS)
requirement 9.1.3 states that the operator must “Restrict physical
access to wireless access points, gateways, and handheld devices”
- Government – Directive 8100.2 mandates FIPS 140-2 compliance
wherein FIPS 140-2 paragraph 4.5 requires “physical security
mechanisms” to be applied
- Certain Municipalities - Some jurisdictions have enacted ordinances
that include provisions for radio coverage of public safety signals within
the building as a condition of occupancy
- Education- Wireless is mission critical, mass notification systems must
be reliable
Why use Oberon AP
Enclosures in Healthcare?
- Simplify ICRA procedure compliance when installing and
servicing wireless access points
- Clear-cut National Electric Code (N.E.C.) compliance
- Physical security
- Protect the integrity of the RF coverage design
- Verify cabling to the enclosure prior to AP install
- Simplified Moves, Adds, and Changes (MACs)
- Clean, professional, aesthetic installation
See the wireless AP mounting solution finder at:
www.oberonwireless.com