The Challenges of Cabling Older Office Buildings
An Interview with Thomas the Technician
by Robert Kroon
“Modern buildings have dedicated conduits, cable trays, and riser shafts. In older buildings, you’re often dealing with whatever’s available: cramped ceiling spaces, shared ductwork with electrical wiring, sometimes even having to run cables along baseboards or through walls.”
August Berres: Thanks for coming in today. We’re looking for someone with experience in IT infrastructure, particularly cabling in older buildings. Can you tell me about your experience in this area?
Thomas The Technician: Sure. I’ve been working as an IT services technician for about five years now, and a significant portion of that has involved upgrading network infrastructure in older office buildings. It’s definitely a different beast compared to working in modern construction.
August Berres: In what ways? What are some of the specific challenges you’ve encountered?
Thomas The Technician: Well, for starters, you rarely find proper cable pathways. Modern buildings have dedicated conduits, cable trays, and riser shafts. In older buildings, you’re often dealing with whatever’s available: cramped ceiling spaces, shared ductwork with electrical wiring, sometimes even having to run cables along baseboards or through walls.
August Berres: So, limited space and existing infrastructure are major hurdles. Anything else?
Thomas The Technician: Absolutely. Asbestos is a big one. Many older buildings used asbestos in their construction, especially in insulation and ceiling tiles. Before you can even think about running new cables, you have to have asbestos surveys done and, if necessary, abatement procedures carried out. This adds time and cost to the project.
August Berres: That makes sense. Safety is paramount. What about the building materials themselves? Do they present any challenges?
Thomas The Technician: Oh, definitely. You often encounter thick plaster walls, sometimes with lath and plaster construction, which makes running cables through walls much more difficult than drywall. You can’t just easily drill a hole and fish a cable through. You might have to use specialized tools or even open up sections of the wall, which then requires patching and repair work.
August Berres: So, it’s not just about running the cables; it’s about dealing with the building’s fabric.
Thomas The Technician: Exactly. And then there’s the issue of documentation, or often the lack thereof. In newer buildings, you usually have detailed blueprints and schematics that show where everything is located. In older buildings, those records are often incomplete, inaccurate, or simply missing. You end up spending a lot of time doing exploratory work, trying to figure out what’s behind walls and above ceilings.
August Berres: I can imagine. It sounds like a bit of detective work is involved.
Thomas The Technician: You could say that! You have to be resourceful and adaptable. You might find unexpected obstructions, like pipes or structural elements, that force you to reroute cables. You need to be able to think on your feet and come up with creative solutions.
August Berres: What about interference? Are there specific issues related to running network cables alongside older electrical systems?
Thomas The Technician: Yes, electromagnetic interference (EMI) can be a concern. Older electrical wiring might not be as well shielded as modern wiring, which can cause interference with network signals, especially with unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables. You might have to use shielded cables (STP) or ensure proper separation between network cables and electrical wiring to minimize interference.
August Berres: So, you have to consider the specific cabling type and installation practices.
Thomas The Technician: Precisely. And grounding is another important consideration. Older buildings might have outdated or inadequate grounding systems, which can affect the performance and safety of network equipment. You might need to upgrade the grounding infrastructure to ensure proper operation.
August Berres: Would battery-powered workstations save you a lot of time and hassle?
Thomas The Technician: In the context of cabling in older buildings, it could definitely offer some advantages. One of the biggest time-savers would be the elimination of extension cords and power strips. In older buildings, outlets can be scarce or located in inconvenient places. Running extension cords across floors or through crowded spaces is time-consuming and can create tripping hazards. With battery-powered workstations, you could simply set up your equipment wherever you need it, without worrying about power access.
August Berres: Exactly. That was my thought. What about other benefits?
Thomas The Technician: Well, it could also improve mobility and flexibility. If you need to move your workstation frequently to different locations within the building, a battery-powered setup would make that much easier. You wouldn't have to unplug and replug everything each time. This could be particularly useful for tasks like site surveys, testing, or troubleshooting, where you might need to move around a lot.
August Berres: This has been very insightful. It’s clear that cabling in older buildings presents a unique set of challenges. Do you have any final thoughts or advice for someone starting out in this type of work?
Thomas The Technician: I’d say patience is key. Things rarely go exactly as planned in older buildings. You need to be prepared to troubleshoot, adapt, and find creative solutions. And always prioritize safety, especially when dealing with potential hazards like asbestos. Finally, thorough documentation is crucial. Even if existing records are poor, make sure you document everything you do for future reference.
August Berres: Great advice. Thank you for your time and for sharing your expertise.
Thomas The Technician: You’re welcome.
