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North American Network Operators Group Date Prev | Date Next | Date Index | Thread Index | Author Index | Historical Re: FCC rules for backup power
On Tue, Nov 13, 2007 at 03:07:03PM -0500, Sean Donelan wrote: > > > Proposed new FCC rules for backup power sources for central offices, cell > sites, remote switches, digital loops, etc. For the first time, the FCC > is considering specific backup power time requirements of 24 hours for > central offices and 8 hours for outside plant and cell sites. Although > most carriers tended to follow old Bell System Practices for backup power, > BSP's weren't official regulations. > > ISPs aren't specifically covered, but .... > > <http://www.tessco.com/yts/industry/products/infra/infrastructure/power_supplies/pdf/agl_reprint.pdf> I would suggest that these requirements will run afoul of local regulations regarding the storage of combustibles such as diesel fuel or other hazardous materials. (Think 111 8th ave and 9/11) This article seems to take much the same position. In short, this, to me, is the FCC putting it's nose where it doesn't belong. This is not something which should be regulated by this agency, it should be something done by the various communications operators in conjuntion with local municipalities. Yes, this means that there will be variances in many places but the regulations in place regarding fuel storage and so forth (no to mention batteries for DC plants, FM200 storage, etc, etc) are there because they are deemed to be in the best interests of the local community. The FCC has no idea what those "best interests" are and never will. Besides, when you're talking about a Katrina sized event, 24 hours is meaningless. Normal communications were not restored on many areas of the region (not just Louisiana) for days or weeks afterwards. And the assessment of what had occured didn't really begin until after the 24 hour mark was over anyway. The NTSB learned from its process of grounding planes after 9/11 that there are some emergency events where having pre-existing procedures in place can actually be harmful. The determination was that if there had been a process defined, all it would have done is slow things down by restricting what controllers could and could not do. Better to just let them use their knowledge and experience and act in the best way they know how, given the situation before them. Lets also point out that a generator is most often going to be outside the building at ground level, wether or not it is contained within its own structure. And if the generator isn't, there's a fair chance it's fuel tank would be. Not everyone will be willing to deal with the expense of burying it. As such, these are usually totally exposed to the elements and any lowland flooding. Meaning that if something fails in a facility due to a weather related event, it's probably going to be the generator. We've all seen that many times before. My $0.37 -Wayne --- Wayne Bouchard [email protected] Network Dude http://www.typo.org/~web/
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