Specifications

Recommended Room Sizes
Floor Area Room Size
m
2
ft.
2
m ft.
1000 10,763 3 x 3.4 10 x 11
800 8611 3 x 2.8 10 x 9
500 5381 3 x 2.2 10 x 7
TECH TIP
A cross-connect is the
connection between
horizontal cabling and
backbone or equipment
hardware. Connections
made directly between
equipment and the
horizontal cable are
called interconnects.
Typical Layout of a Telecommunications Room
Typical layout of
telecommunications closet
This is Straight pickup from old
guide
36" x 80"
door with
lock
Instrument power
Equipment power
Equipment rack
Equipment rack
Closet
interconnecting
conduit
(fire stopped)
Ceiling level ladder rack
Fluorescent ceiling fixtures
4" sleeves (minimum)
Equipment power
21 mm
(trade size
3
⁄
4 in.)
plywood
backboard
• At least two walls must be covered in 2.6-meter
(8.5-ft.) high, 200-mm (
3
⁄4 in.) thick A–C plywood
capable of supporting equipment.
• Do not install a false ceiling.
• Lighting should supply at least 500-foot candles
(540 lux) of illumination.
• Walls, floor, and ceiling should be light colored
to enhance lighting.
• HVAC equipment should provide continuous
24/7/365 service.
• Fire protection should be provided.
• The door should be at least 910-mm (35.8-in.) wide
and 2000 millimeters (78.75 in.) high. It should be
hinged, sliding, or removable, and have a lock.
• The minimum floor loading should be at least
2.4 kPa (50lbf/ft
2
).
• Install at least two dedicated duplex electrical outlets
on separate circuits. If necessary, additional duplex
outlets can be placed at 1.8 meters (5.9 ft.) around
the room.
22
Black Box Guide to Structured Cabling
Section NameSection Name
Structured Cabling System
• Depending on the size of the floor area, you
should have at least one telecommunications
room per floor. The recommendation is one TR
per 10 m
2
(100 ft.
2
).
• If the floor area is greater than 1000 m
2
(10,763 ft.
2
), or if the distance to the work area
exceeds 300 feet, there should be additional
telecommunications rooms per floor.
• When there are multiple telecommunications
rooms on a floor, interconnect them with at
least one trade size 3 conduit.
• Specific room sizes are recommended based
on floor-area size. These provide sufficient space
for all connecting hardware, as well as enough
room for technicians to work comfortably.
• Be aware of any seismic zone requirements.
Telecommunications room
Formerly known as the telecommunications closet,
the telecommunications room (TR) houses all the
equipment associated with connecting the backbone
wiring to the horizontal wiring. It includes:
• Intermediate cross-connects
• Main cross-connects
• Patch cords
• All connecting equipment
The telecommunications room can also house
auxiliary equipment such as a PBX, security
equipment, etc.
Design specifications.
The telecommunications room is addressed in
TIA/EIA-568-B.1. But you’ll find the complete design
and provisioning recommendations in TIA/EIA-569-B.
• If you’re terminating less than 100 meters of
cable, you can use an interconnection. As the
number of connections grows, use cross-connects
for better cable management.
• Place the telecommunications room as close
as possible to the center of the floor.
• Do not share the telecommunications room
with electrical equipment.
Requirements for the Telecommunications Room