CABE

Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment selects Universal Networks to install New Structured Cabling System at their New London HQ

• 400 Category 5E Outlets, Fibre Optic and Voice Link
• Server Room relocation
• Bespoke outlet plates

The Requirement

CABE planned to relocate from their premises in York Road to an 18,000 square foot premises in WC2. The new premises consisted of one round and one rectangular building connected by an internal footbridge with no voids for installing cabling.

Universal were engaged at the pre tender stage and provided free consultation for the cabling system, network switching and WAN requirements.

Following a site survey and a government tendering process, Universal was awarded the contract and work got under way in September 2005.

The Solution

The installation consisted of providing 400 data outlets in total, 220 outlets in Building 1- Kingsway and 180 outlets in Building 2- Kemble Street. There would have to be two patching locations due to the distances to some locations exceeding 90m and the inability to conceal large bundles of cable across the bridge area.

CABE opted for a 50/125 OM3 Fibre Optic Backbone between their two cabinets, giving the flexibility to migrate to 10GbE across the fibre if required. Universal also installed a 24 way Category 5E Backbone for redundancy and flexibility and a 100 pair voice cable to extend analogue and digital telephony between the buildings.

A communications room was established in each building to housed the Cisco Networking equipment that was redeployed from CABE's previous site in York Road. CABE wanted to keep the existing 3 compartment trunking but due to it's age, outlet plates were unavailable. Universal, in conjunction with the electricians designed and manufactured a new plate saving the cost involved in replacing the old trunking.

Universal implemented a warranted structured cabling system manufactured by Hellermann Tyton, which gives CABE additional peace of mind, knowing that all materials, workmanship and system performance are guaranteed for a period of 25 years following completion of the installation.

Universal were also engaged to dismantle and re assemble the racks, servers and active hardware between the two buildings over the move weekend. This was finished ahead of schedule and we also managed to provide two engineers at short notice on the Sunday to install some additional outlets that had been overlooked in the original tender. We have since been back to site several times to install further Cat5E and power outlets to accommodate for growth and relocation of staff.

Paul Saunders of CABE said 'Universal always complete the job on time and with zero problems'

About cabe

Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body. It is funded by, both the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).

“We believe that well designed homes, streets, parks, work places, schools and hospitals are the fundamental right of everyone. We use our skills and resources to work for a higher quality of life for people and communities across England, with particular concern for those living in deprived areas. We do this by making the case for change, gathering hard evidence, providing education opportunities and through direct help on individual programmes and projects.

We motivate those responsible for providing our buildings and spaces to design and develop well. We demonstrate to those clients that investment in excellence will pay back many times over through a more productive workforce, more contented customers and a healthier bottom line.”

For more information please visit www.cabe.org.uk