ABANDONED CABLE
REMOVAL
Big Opportunity for Contractors
By Frank Bisbee
Before we start
VDV/IBS Conference attendees
Our job is to deliver a quality
presentation.
Your task is to gather valuable
information.
If you finish before me,
Please leave the room quietly
So you don't wake the others
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WHAT IS
ABANDONED CABLE ?
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WARNING
Cabling installation is not for the untrained
CAT6 cabling systems are CRAFT INTENSIVE
Extreme care must be used when installing or
servicing CAT6 cable systems
MARCS = Moves, Adds, Removals, & Changes
demand the same level of care
Our surveys indicate this is a universal rule for all
(Vendors) CAT6 cabling systems
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National Electrical Code
NEC 2002
 The definition of abandoned cable, as
found in paragraphs 800.2 and 770.2 of the
NEC 2002 Book, states "....Installed
communications cable that is not
terminated at both ends at a connector or
other equipment and not identified "For
Future Use" with a tag."
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Codes & Standards ?
 The Codes ensure minimum
construction quality and ensure
safety of life, health and property.
 Standards, on the other hand,
guarantee that the voice outlet will
work. electricians, Inspectors and
Low Voltage contractors use the
NEC 2002 Codebook for
installation and inspections
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NEC 2002
The definition of abandoned cable, as
found in paragraphs 800.2 and 770.2 of
the NEC 2002 Book, states "....Installed
communications cable that is not
terminated at both ends at a connector or
other equipment and not identified "For
Future Use" with a tag."
The Codes ensure minimum construction
quality and ensure safety of life, health
and property.
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For copper cable, paragraph 800.52(B) of
the NEC Code states "...The accessible
portion of abandoned communications
cables shall not be permitted to remain.."
Additionally, paragraph 800.52(1) states
that abandoned cables in vertical runs
shall not be permitted to remain. Article
770 states the same requirements for
optical fiber risers and horizontal cables.
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Identify abandoned cables per
2002 NEC requirements
Tag, Inventory & Document
existing & Abandoned Cable
Telephone & Data circuits, telecom
& network equipment
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Why does abandoned cable present such a
problem? The accumulation of miles and miles of
cabling left in the ceilings and walls of facilities has
become a major concern for life safety over the
past 10 years. Cables that are abandoned in
ceilings, riser systems, and air-handling systems
are a source for fueling fire, smoke, and sublethal
toxic fumes that can incapacitate. In addition, PVC
jackets tend to break down over time. This
decomposition process is accelerated by exposure
to increased temperatures and humidity.
The new fire safety provision to require the
removal of abandoned cable is the first change
to cabling requirements in the National Electrical
Code in more than 20 years.
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
Tag & Inventory abandoned cable &
equipment in Riser & Telecommunication
Rooms & Plenum areas

On-site assessment of property’s
telecommunications infrastructure and
development potential

Inspection and inventory of existing
telecommunications infrastructure and
pathways

Summary recommendations
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
On-site identification & tagging of
abandoned riser cabling, hardware &
equipment by field technician

Removal of tagged cable, hardware, and
equipment is available

Progress reports at regular intervals for
duration of the project
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According to estimates, there is more
than 45 billion feet of plenum cable in
place in buildings.
The National Electrical Code (NEC
2002) requires that all abandoned
copper and fiber cable be removed.
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As the code is enforced across the country,
building owners and tenants could face
thousands of dollars in additional cost to
remove and dispose of the abandoned
cables, tag and manage the remaining cable
plant in their riser and communications
areas, and ensure that tenants install proper
cables to meet the building requirements for
fire and safety of their other tenants.
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The Enforcers
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ): The
“Authority Having Jurisdiction” is the
organization, office and/or individual
responsible for “approving” equipment, an
installation, or a procedure. Note: the phrase
“authority having jurisdiction” is used in a
broad manner since jurisdictions and
“approval” agencies vary as do their
responsibilities.
Approved: Acceptable to the Authority
Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
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BOMA International recommends that you
begin immediately to survey your buildings.
Are there wires that are not being used? If
so, identify the wiring by the service they
performed, and the brand or model of
cable. The NEC 2002 allows certain types
of wires to be retained if they are tagged
for future use. Any cable that is not in the
category permitted for future use must be
removed.
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All cabling end users should understand the
implications of not complying with these
new NEC Codes. They are based on safety of
the employees and rescue personnel.
Ignoring safety measures creates the potential
for legal actions. Complying with safety
measures produces longer installation times
and expenses in the form of T&M expenses
for removal and labeling “For Future Use.”
Cabling Installers are required to inform end
users about these new codes and their
potential impacts.
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REMOVE, REUSE, OR RECYCLE
Rip it out, throw it away – that’s the easy
way?
Test it, tag it, and turn it into an asset?
Audit and document the “hard”
infrastructure?
Be the building owner’s and tenant’s best
friend.
The cabling systems are not a throw away
expense.
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For additional information
Visit www.wireville.com
Communication Planning Corporation
4160 Southside Blvd., Suite 3
Jacksonville, FL 32216-5470
Tel. 904-645-9077 Fax 904-645-9058
www.communicationplanning.com
Frank Bisbee, President
frank@wireville.com
March 11, 2004
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