BS EN 50174-3:2013+A1:2017

What is BS EN 50174-3 - Cabling installation planning and practices outside buildings about?  

BS EN 50174-3 specifies requirements and provides recommendations for the following aspects of information technology cabling: 

• Planning 
• Installation practice 

BS EN 50174-3 is applicable to all types of information technology cabling outside buildings including generic cabling systems designed in accordance with EN 50173 series. The requirements and recommendations of BS EN 50174-3 may be applied to cabling that is defined as part of the building. 

The requirements and recommendations of Clauses 4, 5 and 6 of BS EN 50174-3 are subject to any site-specific requirements and recommendations of Clause 7. 

The planning of the pathway systems, spaces and structures within the core and access network cabling as described in Figure 2 that are owned by access providers is excluded except for requirements and recommendations that provide basic safety, function and environmental objectives for mechanical, ingress and climatic characteristics (i.e. excluding pathway dimensions, distribution of spaces and similar constraints based on specific transmission methods). 

The installation practices applicable to all cabling installation methods are included by the provision of the necessary planning requirements and recommendations associated with each one with the exception of information technology cabling installed: 

• Around or within aerial power supply or associated earth conductors 
• On infrastructures carrying power supplies in excess of AC/DC 25 kV 

This European Standard BS EN 50174-3: 

• Details the considerations for satisfactory installation and operation of information technology cabling 
• Excludes specific requirements applicable to other cabling systems (e.g. power supply cabling); however, it takes account of the effects other cabling systems may have on the installation of information technology cabling (and vice versa) and gives general advice; 
• Excludes those aspects of installation associated with the transmission of signals in free space between transmitters, receivers or their associated antenna systems (e.g. wireless, radio, microwave or satellite). 

BS EN 50174-3 is applicable to certain hazardous environments. It does not exclude additional requirements which are applicable in particular circumstances, defined by e.g. electricity supply and electrified railways.  

Note: The requirements within BS EN 50174-3 do not cover any additional requirements for the information technology cables installed in hazardous or stressful environments e.g. electricity supply and electric railway locations (see Clause 7). 

Who is BS EN 50174-3 - Cabling installation planning and practices outside buildings for? 

BS EN 50174-3 on Cabling installation planning and practices outside buildings is useful for: 

• Information technology industry 
• Electronics and telecommunication industry 
• Architects, building designers and builders 
• Main contractors 
• Designers, suppliers, installers, inspectors (auditors), maintainers and owners of information technology cabling 
• Public network providers and local service providers 
• End users 

Why should you use BS EN 50174-3 - Cabling installation planning and practices outside buildings? 

The importance of services delivered by information technology cabling infrastructure is similar to that of utilities such as heating, lighting and electricity supplies. As with those utilities, interruptions to service can have a serious impact. Poor quality of service due to lack of planning, use of inappropriate components, incorrect installation, poor administration or inadequate support can threaten an organization’s effectiveness. 

BS EN 50174-3, provides requirements and recommendations relating to the installation planning and practices which are useful to derive: 

• Planning strategy (road map) and guidance depending on the application, electromagnetic environment, building infrastructure and facilities, etc. 
• Planning and installation requirements for metallic and optical fiber information technology cabling depending on the application, electromagnetic environment, building infrastructure and facilities, etc. 
• The practices and procedures to be adopted to ensure that the cabling is installed in accordance with the specification. 

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN 50174-3:2013+A1:2017supersedes EN 50174-3:2003. BS EN 50174-3:2013+A1:2017 contains some technical changes as follows: 

• Restructuring of the contents to align with the structure of EN 50174-1:2009 and EN 50174-2:2009 (including their associated amendments); in particular, the pertinent requirements and recommendations have been clearly distinguished and are presented in separate subclauses 
• Where appropriate, text has been aligned with that of EN 50174-1 and EN 50174-2 
• Requirements and recommendations for wide area information technology cabling have been elaborated in greater detail 
• A new Annex A on EMC and protection (the existing Annex A is renumbered as Annex B) and a new Annex C on the application of responsibilities have been added