‘Cheap’ cabling options can put employees lives at risk

With all the talk of bring your own device (BYOD) policies and implementing the newest technology in business plans, what often gets overlooked is ensuring the network that is already in place can handle the added stress. Cabling is an important and sometimes forgotten part of a technology planning session, and cutting corners at this stage can not only negatively affect a company network but endanger employees’ well-being.

The Communications Cable and Connectivity Association (CCCA) recently commissioned tests of six different types of cabling from unknown manufacturers outside of North America, known to be “cheap” alternatives. All of them failed to meet the flame spread and smoke generation requirements for commercial buildings set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

The failures are the result of materials used and not the installation process. Frank Peri, the executive director of the CCCA, released a statement about the tests and the number of flaws found.

“As in 2008 and 2009, these recently procured cables were made with inferior materials for this application and inadequate cable designs to cut production costs. Based on material analyses, samples predictably failed the minimum safety requirements,” Peri said. “As we have demonstrated twice now, material testing is a viable means of predicting fire safety performance from samples obtained in the marketplace and can be accomplished with samples as short five feet in length.”

All companies are looking for ways to save money, which is understandable. But certain costing-cutting measures can do more harm than good. By partnering with a managed IT services provider like CTI Technology, which offers low voltage wiring solutions, companies can ensure their network run as efficiently and safely as possible.

Cabling is an important and sometimes forgotten part of a technology planning session, and cutting corners at this stage can not only negatively affect a company network but endanger employees’ well-being.