Nobody inspects low-voltage cabling, so it is where corners get cut. Ten years later an IT director is on a ladder tracing an unlabeled cable through a ceiling where it was laid on the grid. Here is what to put in the scope so that does not happen.
Pathways
J-hooks or tray, never laid on ceiling tile. Separation from line-voltage. Bend radius respected at every turn. Sleeves through walls, firestopped.
Labeling
Every cable labeled at both ends to a scheme that matches the drawing (TIA-606 is the standard). Patch panels labeled. Racks labeled. It sounds obvious; it is skipped constantly.
Certification
Every copper link tested on a certifier (we use Fluke DSX) with the per-link reports delivered, not a summary. Every fiber strand OTDR-tested. A link that fails gets re-terminated before the contractor leaves.
Documentation
A cable schedule, rack elevations and photos, delivered digitally. The next person should be able to understand the system without calling anyone.
If a low-voltage bid does not include these four things, it is cheaper for a reason.
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