The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and BICSI jointly developed and recently published through ANSI a telecommunications grounding and bonding standard, NECA-BICSI-607-2011 Standard for Telecommunications Bonding and Grounding Planning and Installation Methods for Commercial Buildings.
NECA says the new standard will help contractors and installers enhance the planning, specification and layout of an effective telecommunications bonding and grounding system. The standard also specifies installation requirements for components of the telecommunications bonding and grounding systems.
"Telecommunications and information technology changes rapidly, but grounding and bonding is always fundamental to any electrical installation," said Mike Johnston, NECA executive director, standards and safety. "A well-designed system is essential to protect equipment and personnel from harm. Correct, Code-compliant grounding and bonding installations will help ensure the long-term performance and safety of the system."
NECA also said the standard "provides exceptional value to designers and those writing construction specifications due to the built-in workmanship aspects covered in this performance standard. Construction owners, specifiers and contractors rely on NEIS [National Electrical Installation Standards] to clearly illustrate the workmanship standards and criteria for different types of electrical construction. NEIS are also referred to throughout the National Electrical Code."
BICSI described the standard's importance by stating, "An effective telecommunications bonding and grounding system can prevent injury and equipment damage. With the complexity of today's infrastructure with little margin for outages, any system, including the grounding and bonding network, can be the weakest link.
"NECA/BICSI-607 specifies aspects of planning and installation of telecommunications bonding and grounding systems," BICSI continued. "While this standard aligns with related standards, such as the NEC and ANSI/J-STD-607, additional requirements and information for components and connectors of these systems are also included. And as the best design can be undone by poor implementation, a majority of NECA/BICSI-607 details installation methods and practices to minimize potential system failure."
NECA is selling the standard at a cost of $20 for NECA members and $40 for non-members. You can order the document from NECA here.
BICSI is offering the standard to its members for $20 and to non-members for $28. You can order the document from BICSI here.
You may also be interested in this article: Grounding and bonding questions answered.