The new technologies in fiber optic cables and cable plant installation are the micros: microcables, microducts and microtrenching. These can make cable plant installation easier, faster and cheaper. How well do you know the micros?

Being familiar with the OSHA requirements for electrical safety is everyone’s responsibility. Many OSHA electrical requirements are extracted from the National Electrical Code.

Being familiar with the NFPA 70E requirements for electrical safety is key to staying safe when working with and around electricity. To complement and support OSHA’s electrical requirements, NFPA 70E provides the “how” to comply with the “shall” in federal regulations.

While elevator operations have changed in recent years, how much did interfacing with fire alarm systems change? Test your knowledge and find out.

A new type of local area network—passive optical local area networks (OLANs)—is becoming widely accepted because it costs less than half as much as traditional LANs. How much do you know about passive OLANs?

Proper use of the NEC is essential and separates the best from the rest, whether in estimating, project management or carrying out the responsibilities of a field foreman. It is important not to use slang words or terms with different meanings than those defined in the Code. Always use a “common language of communication” supported by defined terms.

Every day some fiber optic network goes down. Sometimes it’s equipment failure and sometimes it’s construction damage, which we call “backhoe fade.” How well do you know how to find and fix network outages?

According to the hierarchy of controls, PPE is considered the last resort. For it to function properly, it needs to be taken care of, cleaned and replaced when showing signs of overuse.

Everyone should monitor their personal health and family safety. Regular exercise and health checks with medical professionals are key to healthy living. Being aware of the conditions and environment you live and work in allows you to take proper precautions. Taking time to relax provides the body a chance to heal and recharge itself to handle daily activities.

I thought we would start the year with some miscellaneous fire alarm questions that you may or may not be aware of, but will be useful to know in the future. Good luck!

Intrinsically safe circuits, per Article 100 of the NEC, are those incapable of producing an arc with enough energy to ignite a flammable or combustible material in the air under test conditions. Although Section 504.7 indicates that any wiring method could be installed, a variety of requirements apply to these circuits and systems.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizing key factors that affect employees’ mental health and stress levels is vital for all supervisory and safety personnel. This month’s safety quiz is dedicated to identifying some of the factors related to health and wellbeing.

Bend anything too much and it kinks or breaks, and that includes fiber optic cable. Do you know how to handle fiber optic cable so it won’t be damaged by improper installation?

The NEC generally provides prescriptive requirements for electrical installations and systems. A few performance requirements exist, such as performance testing rules of ground-fault protection of equipment and witness testing of emergency and legally required standby systems. The AHJ is required to conduct or witness the testing when installation is complete. How much do you know about testing?

It’s expected that installing optical fiber cables would require different tools than copper communications cables or electrical cables. How familiar are you with some of the specialized tools used in fiber optics?

When designing, building, testing or operating a fiber optic network, is “close enough” good enough?

The 2021 edition of NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace was recently released and is available at www.nfpa.org/70e. Each approved revision and update to NFPA 70E standards supersedes all previous editions. Are you up to date?

How well do you understand the latest NFPA 72 requirements for fire alarm pathway class designations? Take this quiz to test your knowledge.

Section 110.12 requires equipment to be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner, but it never tells users how to accomplish that. Good workmanship is often in the eyes of the beholder and is directly related to the training and experience of the installer.

Many aspects of a fiber optic project concern a manager, but the ultimate issue is the “deliverables”—the final information that must be provided to prove the project is complete and installation was done properly. How familiar are you with the deliverables of a fiber optic installation project?