BICSI STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT Fact Sheet

1 8610 Hidden River Pkwy., Tampa, FL 33637-1000 USA Tel: +1 or (USA & Canada toll-free) Fax: +1 Web: BICSI STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT fact Sheet BICSI is an ANSI-accredited STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT organization and currently has two STANDARDS available and will be releasing two more in 2009. More STANDARDS are under DEVELOPMENT to be released in the coming years. Available STANDARDS ANSI/ BICSI -001-2009, Information Transport Systems Design Standard for K-12 Educational Institutions This standard is intended to enable K-12 ITS design in the building DEVELOPMENT process by contributing to architectural considerations and providing information that cuts across multidisciplinary design efforts. Adequate planning during building construction or renovation is significantly less expensive and less disruptive than after the facility is operational.

2 K-12 educational institutions can benefit from an ITS infrastructure design that is planned in advance to support growth and changes that will be required to enhance the educational delivery system. This standard specifies minimum requirements and guidelines for the design of ITS infrastructure for K-12 educational institutions. There are currently no other STANDARDS like this one. It deals with safety in an educational environment; most importantly; the safety of children. Therefore, the standard goes beyond normal STANDARDS to assure safety including the use of specialized types of cabling. The ANSI/ BICSI -001-2009 standard is intended to be used by K-12 facility owners, operators, architects, engineers, telecommunications and information technology (IT) consultants, project managers, and telecommunications/IT technology installers.

3 It is not intended to be the sole source of information for the design or installation of ITS for K-12 institutions. ANSI/NECA/ BICSI -568-2006, Standard for Installing Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling In 1998, a large number of companies representing the telecommunications and electrical industries expressed concern over the lack of a standard for installation of telecommunications premises cabling systems. The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) asked BICSI to jointly undertake the task of developing the required standard. BICSI accepted the task and the project was assigned to BICSI /NECA Joint Technical Committee 1 for the DEVELOPMENT of Telecommunications Cabling Installation Guidelines. The ANSI/NECA/ BICSI -568-2006 describes minimum requirements and procedures for installing the infrastructure for telecommunications, including balanced twisted pair copper cabling and optical fiber cabling that transport telecommunications signals ( , voice, data, video).

4 This standard also is intended to be used in describing a neat and workmanlike manner, as referenced by ANSI/NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code (NEC). The 2008 NEC references the standard in Article : Mechanical Execution of Work, as a Fine Print Note that states: Accepted industry practices are described in ANSI/NECA/ BICSI -586-2006. Standard for Installing Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling;.. The 2008 NEC is a safety code widely adopted in the USA as minimum required safety rules for the electrical industry. The NEC is pointing to the ANSI/NECA/ BICSI standard as a best practices source document. Upcoming STANDARDS ANSI/NECA/ BICSI -607, Telecommunications Bonding and Grounding Planning and Installation Methods for Commercial Buildings The purpose of this standard is to allow the designer and installer a guide to enhance their knowledge of effective telecommunications bonding and grounding systems and to strive for installations in a neat and workmanlike manner.

5 It specifies aspects of planning and installation of telecommunications bonding and grounding systems within a commercial building. This standard is intended to enhance the planning, specification and layout of an effective telecommunications bonding and grounding system. Additionally, this standard specifies installation requirements for components of the telecommunications bonding and grounding system. All information in this standard is intended to conform to the National Electrical Safety Code (ANSI/IEEE C2) and National Electrical Code (NFPA 70). Only qualified persons familiar with telecommunications cabling, electrical wiring, or both should perform the work described in this standard. It is recommended that all work be performed in accordance with NFPA ANSI/NECA/ BICSI -607 standard is written to best practices and is vendor-neutral.

6 Its projected release date is August 2009. ANSI/ BICSI -002, Data Center Design Standard and Recommended Practices ANSI/ BICSI -002 provides a best practices and implementation standard that will complement TIA, CENELEC, and ISO/IEC data center STANDARDS . It is primarily a design standard, with installation requirements and guidelines primarily related to implementing a design. The standard includes other installation requirements and guidelines for data centers, where appropriate. The standard attempts to avoid duplicating content already addressed in other STANDARDS and guidelines, but provides references to other STANDARDS and guidelines where they are applicable to data centers. Applicable STANDARDS and guidelines include, but are not limited to, those from BICSI , CENELEC, ANSI, TIA, ISO, IEC, NEMA, NFPA, ASHRAE, IEEE, T1E1 (ATIS), UL, ASTM, RUS, ADA, OSHA, Telcordia (Bellcore) and ETSI.

7 The ANSI/ BICSI -002 standard is written to best practices and is vendor-neutral. The targeted publication date is December 2009. STANDARDS Currently Under DEVELOPMENT ANSI/ BICSI -003 International Cabling Standard ANSI/ BICSI -004 Post-Secondary ANSI/ BICSI -005 Home Technology ANSI/ BICSI -006 Healthcare ANSI/ BICSI -007 Industrial Visit for more information. ### BICSI is a professional association supporting the information transport systems (ITS) industry. ITS covers the spectrum of voice, data, electronic safety & security, and audio & video technologies. It encompasses the design, integration and installation of pathways, spaces, fiber- and copper-based distribution systems, wireless-based systems and infrastructure that supports the transportation of information and associated signaling between and among communications and information gathering devices.

8 BICSI provides information, education and knowledge assessment for individuals and companies in the ITS industry. We serve more than 23,000 ITS professionals, including designers, installers and technicians. These individuals provide the fundamental infrastructure for telecommunications, audio/video, life safety and automation systems. Through courses, conferences, publications and professional registration programs, BICSI staff and volunteers assist ITS professionals in delivering critical products and services, and offer opportunities for continual improvement and enhanced professional stature. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, USA, BICSI membership spans nearly 90 countries. For more information, visit Contact: Ashley Macaluso, or Maarja Kolberg, +1