[TriLUG] OT: looking for "red" plenum zip ties

[Aaron S. Joyner]

Having worked in the past for a cabling company, doing everything from 
CAT-V station wiring to terminating and splicing long-haul fiber 
backbones, it's really common practice to use "zip ties" aka "wire ties" 
on network cabling.  In a perfect world, something like waxed nylon 
string or velcro fasteners, or simply good cable management for the 
entire run, is a definitely preferred - but our world is so rarely 
perfect.  For CAT-V, as long as you aren't yanking them down so tight as 
to pinch the cable, you should be fine.  A good rule of thumb could be, 
if you can still slide the cable back and forth, with only light 
friction (enough to hold it in place), you're definitely in good shape.

As for Jon's particular issue with the Building Inspector from the Dark 
Side of the Moon - he needs a head check.  The purpose behind Plenum 
ratings is to ensure that nothing in your open-air return ceilings is 
going to cause the fire to spread from one section of the building to 
another.  The situation in question is with a fire in one room of the 
building, and the HVAC system circulating super-heated air from the fire 
into the ceiling return area, will the wire ties burst into flame and 
set something else on fire, thus causing the entire building to burn 
down at a very rapid rate.  It's a certainly valid concern, and it's his 
job to pro actively prevent it.  But *COLOR* is not an accurate 
indication of somethings flammability rating -- or fire trucks would be 
in bad shape.

Aaron S. Joyner


Lee wrote:

> Red paint marker on the clear zip ties?
> Code (and common practice) aside, I was under the impress that you 
> "aren't supposed" to use zip ties on network cabling.
>
> Jon Carnes wrote:
>
>> I'm looking for about 20 plenum rated zip ties that are the color red.
>>
>> Crazy story:
>>  A customer needed to get into his newly renovated space asap but
>> couldn't find a cabler able to get the wiring in on time, so I
>> volunteered to run his cable. Heck it was only 14 runs with hollow walls
>> and drop ceilings.  I did a great job, but I used "clear" plenum rated
>> zip ties. Everything is exactly to code.
>> The city inspector failed the job and won't let them proceed because the
>> zip ties holding the network wiring are clear.  He devoutly believes
>> that plenum rated zip ties only come in "red".
>> Problem: none of my electrical or cable distributors carry the "red" zip
>> ties any more (they are more expensive than the clear plenum rated
>> ties).
>> The client is pissed. He is still not able to move in. I need to find
>> some red zip ties (plenum rated) because being right isn't as much fun
>> as having a happy client (and getting getting paid...).
>>
>> As to the inspector, he has put to much into this fiasco to back down
>> and admit his mistake.
>>
>> Jon (who will never volunteer to cable for a client again) Carnes
>>
>>  
>>
>