sundance-communications.com/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring Backspacing for 2 post racks

So in our new building, I was originally going to have the wiring guy run the wiring into a full blown server cabinet. In lieu of that (due to several reason) I think it might be nicer to actually use 2 post racks now. If I wanted to put (2) 2-post racks up against a wall (or close to it), how much space should I alot for?

The cabling guy should be able to tell me better but I figured I'd get an opinion here as well ;-)

PS - This is for roughly 300 cat-6 runs.

BICSI standards call for 1-meter (3.28ft) of space in front of and behind all racks.

I would add that I like 4 to 4.5 feet reguardless of any given standard. My reasoning is 2 to 3 feet for equipment (your product may vary) and some wiggle room for me (not being so small anymore).

Cable will be over head in ladder tray so thats not a biggie.

Another consideration will be air flow.

OSHA states (stated) minimums of 2.5' between racks. 1 meter is better. 4.5' is better still.

Don't sell yourself short. another 1'-2' may not seem like much now, but when you've got to work back there it'll be a big deal.


Sam

3 feet behind and in front is good. I'd go 1 2 post for all the patch panels then a 4 post for the equipment with a vertical manager in between. You need a section of ladder rack over the 2 post to carry the weight.

And please have proper lighting. Hard enough to distinguish between the white/orange and the white/brown... Then you get crammed in this tight space, with a tool pouch attached to your hip, trying not to knock the network down, and can't see what you're doing.

Man I thought that just for patch panels you didn't need that much room. The server room I'm getting is TINY (roughly 9'x13') compared to what I have now (don't ask). Trying to make the best of it but it looks like I may need more room.

My reasoning was for just patch panels. If you have the chance to set the size of the space you work in take full advandage. I dont know about others but I have a 3 foot reach. I also have a 2 foot belly depending on the day and time I am in. I wiggle alot and have tools that hang from me like a coat rack. Oh almost forgot I like to place a ladder in there as well (sitting purposes). Working above your sholders is hard on the upper back

well we had an IT guy tell us how to place racks in his wiring room. We did the first one his way then gave him some tools and let him have at it.
Needless to say we; did all the others our way with plenty of FAT room in front and back. They should all try working on this stuff their way some time HUH?

Well I thought I had a say in possibly changing the room, but despite the architect and contractor being well aware of the issue - they went and framed the walls out anyway :-(