WLAN Design
Fire code and safety issues

It is important to use local building, fire, and electrical codes when designing WLANS. The Cisco Aironet series of products are not plenum rated. Plenum rated devices ensure that items do not give off poisonous fumes. Always stay within the code guidelines when designing WLANs. This will virtually eliminate the need to redo installations that do not meet code. Specify the appropriate equipment and supplies in the plan up front to avoid costly overruns.

Remember that the cost of replacing or fixing the problem will usually be the installer’s responsibility. Any damages or personal injury due to an improperly installed WLAN will also be the responsibility of the installer. Be sure to consult or have licensed professionals perform installation tasks such as tower erection, grounding systems, and electrical service. Do not lower the standards when designing or installing WLANs in order to save money. This could lead to a bad reputation, lost jobs, or even litigation.

For example, a corporate customer would like to hide the APs above the ceiling and provide the maximum amount of bandwidth to the users. In this case, it is best to reduce the antenna power to get the maximum number of APs over the floor, and use a third party plenum enclosure from a company like LXE to get the plenum rating. Coaxial cables between external antennas and APs may also need to be plenum rated.

The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), shown in Figure , develops, publishes, and disseminates codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks. These are assembled in the NEC. Virtually every building, process, service, design, and installation is affected by NFPA documents. More than 300 NFPA codes and standards are used around the world. More than 225 NFPA Technical Committees, each of which represents a balance of affected interests, develop NFPA documents.


Lab Activity

Lab Exercise: WLAN Design

In this lab, students will identify various applications of WLANs. Students will then choose one application and detail a WLAN design for it. The detailed design presentation should include drawings, configurations, topologies, issues, advantages, disadvantages, and challenges.

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