1) Power should be clean, with dedicated grounds.

All transformer type equipment should be

placed at least 20 feet away from any TV Studio equipment.
2) The space should be designed with an NC-30 rating in mind. This affects wall construction,
HVAC design, door and window design, placement of noise-producing equipment in the
vicinity, etc.
3) The Control Room and TV Studio spaces should have acoustical panels on two walls as
well as acoustical ceilings.
4) The TV Studio ceiling should be high enough to place the lighting grid at a minimum of 12'
without any interference from mechanical systems. All pipes, ducts, etc should be placed at
least 1' above the lighting grid. The ceiling deck should be sprayed with 2" of acoustical foam
for soundproofing and acoustics.
5) The TV Studio floor should be flat and as level as possible. In more expensive facilities, an
epoxy-based self leveling floor is recommended. In most schools, VCT over a smooth level
floor will suffice.
6) On-Air lights are recommended over all Studio doors. Track lighting over all production
consoles.
EQUIPMENT ROOM
Location (room, floor,
wing, etc) Length of
required runs from
router/PBX acceptable
200 foot radius coverage of area is maximum per closet, 150
foot preferred (will effect CATV design). Door to open out if
possible to save wall space.
Dimensions of room Minimum IDF requirements are 8x10ft, minimum MDF
requirements are 15 x 18ft may be reduced for smaller sites
to 6x9 and 10x15.
Does a UPS exist
(model, mfg, quantity)
Check for special power requirements in MDF (220V or 30A
circuits for equipment)
Sufficient dedicated
power outlets
One 20A circuit per rack or cabinet, 1 -20A for each 4x8
plywood piece, 1 20A convenience power on separate
branch. In MDF, sub-panel can be co-located. If room is
used as equipment room housing personnel, NEC 645
requirements shall be in effect. Check manufacturer
equipment for 30A or 220V requirements. Height
requirements and location shall be coordinated with
rack/cabinet location. Minimum of 2 -20A circuits to be
connected to emergency power in MDF and one for each
IDF.
Power quality and
quantity
All power shall be with TVSS at main (which shall be
dedicated for computers). K-transformers, 200% neutrals- as
a minimum shall be required. Grounds must also be sized up
to match. No IG power unless required for a specific piece of
equipment. The MDF shall have a minimum of 2 circuits on
EMergency power and this may also be required in IDF's.
Other special power may be required such as 30A, 220V
circuits- depending on equipment design.
Power design Backup power systems (UPS battery backup) shall be
provided for all IDF/MDF locations. Standalone UPS's shall
be used in IDF locations connected to emergency generator
circuits. MDF may have a single suitably sized heavy duty
UPS connected through a sub-panel for distribution to room
equipment. Maintenance bypass transfer switch will be
provided to allow full load transfer out of circuit for
maintenance purposes. Primary feed will be provided
through generator circuit, maintenance bypass circuit will be
provided from non-generator circuit. Additional non-UPS
circuits will be provided in room for non-critical loads.
Is IG power required
for equipment
Dedicated power from MDP is preferred, check equipment
mfg specifications for any special circuits. Use IG only if
equipment manufacturer (PBX) requires it. IG causes more
problems than it solves.
Surge protection Provide primary protection UL-497 per NEC 800; Provide
secondary projection per UL-397A.UL-497B-isolated loop
protection is for low voltage only.
Backboards: In IDF- minimum 1 backboard 4x8' 3/4" A-C fire-rated
plywood, painted with light colored overcoat fire retardant
paint, furred out 4" from wall and mounted with stainless
steel hardware - rigidly installed. AC outlet cutouts may be
required. In MDF, a minimum of 2 backboards are required.
Available space to add
floor mount
enclosure/rack
Plan for future space in MDF- this room may house security,
CATV headend, PBX, media retrieval, server and other
equipment.
Equipment Room Requirements Survey for Intermediate and Main Distribution
Cabling Resource Guide APRIL 2008 2
EQUIPMENT ROOM
Equipment Room Requirements Survey for Intermediate and Main Distribution
Equipment racks
secured to floor
Floor must be concrete or VCT, no carpeting will be allowed,
ceiling shall be open- no hung ceiling required (cabling will
be supported above cabinets and racks).
Equipment racks
grounded
Provide: 1 telecommunications grounding busbar per closet.
EC to provide connection from MDF to electrical service
panel (MDP) at service entrance. (minimum #6 AWG green
ground wire run in 3/4" conduit-bonded at both ends of
conduit), In MDF, a minimum #6 bonding conductor shall be
run to each IDF and labeled in MDF- follow TIA/EIA-607
requirements and NEC.
Temperature of ER
kept between 64/75
degrees F 24/365
Air conditioning to be provided in MDF with a minimum of
3000BTU's per equipment rack. Co-located AV equipment
generates additional heat output. Minimum 2 air exchanges
per hour. In IDF's- ventilation can include exhaust fan with
quiet motor venting into corridor area.
Is Humidity kept
between 30/55 percent
of relative
Part of HVAC requirements
Lighting intensity 50
footcandles, 3 ft above
floor
Fluorescent lighting to be configured a minimum of 15" from
cable tray, racks, equipment etc.
Emergency lighting
provided
Not a requirement, but recommended
Rated distributed floor
loading greater than
250lbf/ft.sq.
If raised or above ground floor
Rated concentrated
floor loading greater
than 1000lbf
If raised or above ground floor
Core holes required Incoming conduits or pathway from entrance facility utility
feeds for optical fiber, voice copper and CATV. Outgoing
conduits to feed IDF ('s). Sizing to be provided. Any slots,
sleeves or conduits stubbed up from floor shall have a
minimum 2" lip and be reamed and bushed, and strapped to
supporting floor/wall.
Cable Tray All cable tray will be grounded to racks and busbar in closet
ADA Guidelines Height and clearance requirements are met
NEC requirements Check for compliance with all safety issues relating to NEC
EMI Pathway
clearance
Any transformer source greater than 480V shall have a
minimum of 20 feet clearance from equipment in room and
10 feet when passing thru any pathways. Other sources of
EMI include elevator machine rooms, electrical switchgear,
large copiers etc.
Sprinkler system dry or wet and temp setting- In high equipment value spaces
such as TV production control, pre-action sprinkler systems
have been specified by others in which the systems require
two separate fire "triggers" before the sprinkler system is
charged with water and acitvated. This prevents water
damage from leaking pipes as well as the possiblity that one
heat load sets off the system. Insurance, code and other
issues may not cover this type of installation.
Cabling Resource Guide APRIL 2008 3
EQUIPMENT ROOM
Equipment Room Requirements Survey for Intermediate and Main Distribution
Plumbing & HVAC
trade coordination
Any IDF locations that are transversed by plumbing or other
HVAC piping must be provided with "drip" pans below piping
conduits to divert moisture and condensation from above
ceiling areas.
Firestopping All firestopping shall be required per manufacturer
specifications for type of penentration
Entrance Facility- utility
services
Service providers (telephone & cable) shall be provided with
a minimum of 4- 4" conduits into entrance facility, 2- 20Amp
circuits, a separate 4'x8' backboard and grounding busbar.
Conduits must be 40" minimum burial depth unless
otherwise specified, with all bends and offsets encased in
conduit.
Cabling Resource Guide APRIL 2008 4