I picked up a bid for a senior citizen complex here in Baltimore, it called for 12 strand fiber between buildings to the telco room.....no problem!!!!

BUT the bid mentioned nothing about putting the fiber in a interduct or I called them orange gizmos: buffer tubes.......

Is a buffer tube ALWAYS required to be used with fiber?????

Mitch,

interduct is the correct word. Buffer tube is the jacket surrounding the fiber. The main reason for installing interduct is so it sends a clear signal to everyone not to mess with it. It also provides a level of protection for the fiber cable itself, which is good, unless you plan on running armored sheathed cable. Interduct is normally not used when running fiber through conduit from point to point or for direct burial.

No. If they didn't spec interduct then why give it away for free? It's very expensive. Besides, indoor/outdoor can be run and has a good protective sheath. I would however suggest you offer it as an extra expense..your call.