IT Baseline Protection Manual - The Information Warfare Site

Safeguard Catalogue - Communications Remarks
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S 5.5 Damage-minimising routing of cables
Initiation responsibility: Network planner; Head of IT Section; Head of
Site/Bldg Technical Service
Implementation responsibility: Site/Bldg Technical Service
When planning cable routes, attention must be given to avoiding perceptible
danger spots. As a general rule, cables should be routed only in areas which
can be accessed exclusively by the user. Control will be facilitated by a clear
layout of lines. Routes and individual cables should always be laid out in such
a way that they will be protected against direct damage caused by persons,
vehicles and machines.
When selecting a site for equipment, it should be ensured that the cables are
not run in walking or driving areas. If this cannot be avoided, the cables must
be protected by adequate duct systems in the light of the anticipated
mechanical loads.
As a general rule, attention must be given, in the case of appliance cords
(flexible cables), to sufficient pull relief of the cables in the connector(s). In
instances, it may be expedient to do without the screwing of the connectors. In
case of tensile load, only the plug-in connections, and not the connector/cable
or connector/device soldering points will be torn apart.
Underground car-parks pose a major problem as regards damage-minimising
routing of cables. Due to the automatic operation of control devices and on
account of the long periods during which entrance gates are open, access by
outsiders to underground car-parks can never be precluded. On account of the
normally low height of ceilings, simple means suffice to obtain access to the
lines located there. When lines are located in the driving area, there may not
be enough space left for the permissible height of vehicles. In that case,
damaging or destruction of ducts and cables by vehicles cannot be precluded.
When buildings are used jointly with third parties, it must be ensured that
cables are not run in floor ducts in areas occupied by those parties. Floor and
window-sill duct systems must, by mechanical means, be tightly shielded
against the areas of external users. The preferable solution is to confine such
ducts to the user's own area.
Areas with a high fire hazard must be avoided. If this is not possible and the
operating state of all cables run on a cable route is to be maintained, fire
sealing must be provided for that route. If only individual cables are to be kept
in an operative condition, an appropriate cable must be selected for this
purpose.
In production plants, high inductive loads and the resultant interference fields
are to be expected. These must also be taken account of in the layout of ducts
and cables. For cable protection, an approach similar to that of fire sealing is
to be taken.
In the case of underground lines, warning tapes must be laid approx. 10 cm
above the line. For individual cables (without conduit), it is advisable to
provide cable covers.
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IT-Baseline Protection Manual: Oktober 2000