sundance-communications.com/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring Abandoned Cable

I place in my bids - Existing Wires or Abandoned wires to be removed by others...

I always suggest that we HAVE to do it.

Not only do we like getting paid for it but how would a couple of laborers know what to remove? There can be other LV wiring for HVAC, speakers etc. that looks like all the rest. Sometimes there can be a feed from the TELCO terminal into the space that can be reused. Sometimes wiring for other spaces will pass through yours in the same bundles.

No way would I recommend that any wiring be removed by people who don't know what they are doing unless maybe the building was a complete gut.

-Hal

The wire belongs to the building...so it's never abandon.

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Doesn't matter who it belongs to. If its not connected or at least tagged it has to go.

Many landlords and property owners are getting smart and requiring tenants to remove any wiring they have installed when they leave.

I agreee that I would hate to do this if the tenant did a really nice job that could be used by the next tenant but most likely that isn't the case. The wiring usually is a mess, jacks painted and hanging off the walls and the space will be torn up and reconfigured anyway. Better to start from scratch.

-Hal

I think it depends on how much you need the work, and if you dont, how much you can get away with.

Lets get behind the spirit of the NEC code guys... the problem is that unused and/or abandoned cable has been proven to just be fuel for fires... Go to the Dupont website and download some of their fire test videos showing both burn rate and smoke from all types of cable... we are doing a disservice to our clients if we don't educate them on the risks...

The NEC doesn't allow for 'tagging' the cable as 'Not In Use'... It says that cable that is not in use needs to be identified as for 'future use'. otherwise, it needs to come out.

I agree, you need someone who is tech savvy to do the job otherwise wrong stuff gets pulled out...

I just did a job in No. Cal where the T-bar ceiling was literally bowing from the weight of cable left in the ceiling... in a 5000 sq ft office area, we removed 2800 lbs of old 50 and 100 pair cable that had been piled and piled and piled on... Good money for your proposals. Just have a knowledgable tech go through and tag or mark the stuff that needs to stay/go and then pay lower wage guys to actually do the work. Using the NEC as your basis to educate and sell the customer works pretty well... good hunting...

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It has to go.It can just add to a good clean install (makes your job shine).You keep the scrap and sell after you get 1000pounds or more.have a company picnic and keep up moral in shop.

Jamey

Working in a C.O., we are always trying to locate and remove abandoned cable. Makes for easier pulls under the raised floor

I had a whole bin of cable saved up over a few months. Took it to the scrap yard before I went off to college. 60 pounds and a dollar a pound

Take it out.
In my best David Letterman's voice

10 reasons to remove old cable:

10. It's a fire hazard

9. It wastes valuable space in conduits and sleeves

8. It's ugly

7. By the time it's used it will probably be obsolete

6. It is or soon will be against codes

5. It makes your job look much more professional

4. Scrap cable goes for around $.60 per pound around here

3. It's hard to work around in some ceilings

2. It makes you look smart when you explain why it needs to come out to the customer

1. And the number one reason to remove old cables is because we get to replace them which is why we are all working.

Jeff,

Good luck at school!