IT equipment and licensing

[lbartsch]

My company is about to open a data center (ITE room) in Frederick, MD. I've assumed that the IT equipment (racks, switches, routers, servers, etc) can be installed and maintained by the IT folks whereas the standard electrical work (feeders, branch circuits, panels, lighting, receptacles, etc) would be handled by a licensed electrician. One of my colleagues disagrees and states that since the IT equipment is low voltage, all IT work must be performed by a licensed electrician. Worse, he said that permits must be pulled when adding or changing equipment. This makes no absolutely sense to me.

I'm planning on heading over to talk with a city inspector to get the "official" direction but before I do, I figured I'd reach out to you folks for some feedback on the issue.

Many thanks in advance...

 

[GoldDigger]

With very few exceptions the NEC scope ends at the outlets that supply power to utilization equipment and do not cover field wiring which does not, in effect, become part of the building wiring.
The NEC does have rules about those part of low voltage systems which are part of the building wiring or connect to building wiring, as well as the use of temporary cords where fixed building wiring should have been used instead.

I suspect that your colleague also thinks that only electricians should replace light bulbs, even those in screw base sockets.
And if you are replacing more than 50% of the light bulbs that requires a building permit!

 

[iwire]

With very few exceptions the NEC scope ends at the outlets that supply power to utilization equipment and do not cover field wiring which does not, in effect, become part of the building wiring.
The NEC does have rules about those part of low voltage systems which are part of the building wiring or connect to building wiring, as well as the use of temporary cords where fixed building wiring should have been used instead.

I suspect that your colleague also thinks that only electricians should replace light bulbs, even those in screw base sockets.
And if you are replacing more than 50% of the light bulbs that requires a building permit!

The data cabling is part of the building.

I would not take either side here, I think the OP is doing the best thing by going to the AHJ and finding out what they expect.

 

[charlie b]

. . . since the IT equipment is low voltage, all IT work must be performed by a licensed electrician.

I tend to cringe when I see the phrase "low voltage" or "high voltage." Those phrases mean different things to different members of our profession.

Every jurisdiction will have its own rules. In my home state, you need a “telecommunications contractor” license, not an “electrician license,” to do the kinds of work you are describing. Here is a quote from WA state law:

"Telecommunications scope of work" means the work of a telecommunications contractor. This includes the installation, maintenance, and testing of telecommunications systems, equipment, and associated hardware, pathway systems, and cable management systems, which excludes cable tray and conduit raceway systems. The scope also includes installation of open wiring systems of telecommunications cables, surface nonmetallic raceways designated and used exclusively for telecommunications, optical fiber innerduct raceway, underground raceways designated and used exclusively for telecommunications and installed for additions or extensions to existing telecommunications systems not to exceed fifty feet inside the building, and incidental short sections of circular or surface metal raceway, not to exceed ten feet, for access or protection of telecommunications cabling and installation of cable trays and ladder racks in telecommunications service entrance rooms, spaces, or closets.

 

[tkb]

I think what the OP is describing is mounting equipment in the racks, plugging in power cords and plugging in patch cables.

If the IT people are doing what I described, then no license should be required.

The data cabling to the users from the patch panels should be done by a telecommunications contractor.

 

[mgookin]

My company is about to open a data center (ITE room) in Frederick, MD. I've assumed that the IT equipment (racks, switches, routers, servers, etc) can be installed and maintained by the IT folks whereas the standard electrical work (feeders, branch circuits, panels, lighting, receptacles, etc) would be handled by a licensed electrician. One of my colleagues disagrees and states that since the IT equipment is low voltage, all IT work must be performed by a licensed electrician. Worse, he said that permits must be pulled when adding or changing equipment. This makes no absolutely sense to me.

I'm planning on heading over to talk with a city inspector to get the "official" direction but before I do, I figured I'd reach out to you folks for some feedback on the issue.

Many thanks in advance...

All licensing is a local issue. I'd start with the state agency who licenses electricians in Maryland and ask them if a license is required to do the work described. With that information you can cite law to your colleague and that should put it to rest.

And if some license other than an electrical contractor's license is required, I'm sure that agency can explain that too.

 

[JFletcher]

I think what the OP is describing is mounting equipment in the racks, plugging in power cords and plugging in patch cables.

If the IT people are doing what I described, then no license should be required.

The data cabling to the users from the patch panels should be done by a telecommunications contractor.

Agree. I've done these installs, and provided up to the patch panels and 110 blocks. Some IT guy will come and put in the switches, patch cords, router, modem, PBX, program, etc. That doesnt require a license or permit.

 

[iwire]

Agree. I've done these installs, and provided up to the patch panels and 110 blocks. Some IT guy will come and put in the switches, patch cords, router, modem, PBX, program, etc. That doesnt require a license or permit.

In your area, not in mine either.

But the OP is right to go to the local AHJ and ask what they expect.