IT Facilities and Campus Safety Systems Standards - University of Houston
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IT Facilities and Campus Safety Systems Standards

Which documents below apply to my project?

 

All IT Facilities—Network, Audiovisual (AV), Computing

  • UH System IT Facilities: Baseline Standards

 

 

Network Facilities (Additional Documents)

INCLUDES: Floor Distributor Room, Technology Closet, Technology Enclosure, Building Distributor Room, Campus Distributor Room
  • Network Infrastructure Design Standards
  • Master Specification, Division 27

 

AV Facilities (Additional Documents)

INCLUDES: AV Storage Facility, AV Work Facility, AV Equipment Facility
  • Audiovisual (AV) Design Standards

 

Computing Facilities (Additional Documents)

INCLUDES: Data Center, Server Room
  • Master Specification, Division 27

 

Campus Safety and Security Systems (Additional Documents)

INCLUDES: Access Control, Intrusion Detection, Video Surveillance, Emergency Call Stations, Addressable Fire Alarm System
  • Electronic Safety and Security Design Guide: Electronic Access Control and Intrusion Detection
  • Electronic Safety and Security Design Guide: Surveillance and Call Stations
  • Electronic Safety and Security Design Deliverable Checklist
  • Master Specification, Division 28

UH System IT Facilities: Baseline Standards

The project designer for network, computing, and audiovisual facilities at the University of Houston System (UH, UH-Clear Lake, UH-Downtown and UH-Victoria) is responsible for retrieving the current version of this document before beginning a design or making substantial changes to one. These standards apply to Network Facilities (Campus Distributor, Building Distributor, Floor Distributor, Technology Closet, Technology Enclosure), Computing Facilities (Data Center, Server Room) and Audiovisual Facilities (Storage, Work, Equipment).

Current Version

Baseline Standards Checklists

Older Versions

  • None

Audiovisual (AV) Design Standards

The project designer for audiovisual systems at the University of Houston is responsible for retrieving the current version of this document before beginning a design or making substantial changes to one. These standards apply to academic, administrative, auxiliary and residential spaces.

Current Version

Older Versions

  • None

Network Infrastructure Design Standards

The project designer for structured wiring systems at the University of Houston is responsible for retrieving the current version of this document before beginning a design or making substantial changes to one.

Current Version

Older Versions

Related Documents: Master Specification, Division 27

Designers and contractors for network infrastructure and cabling projects are also expected to be familiar with and to follow the requirements in the University of Houston Master Specifications. Requirements for network infrastructure and telecommunications — including approved manufacturers, authorized part numbers, installation instructions, required submittals and other essential topics — are defined in Division 27: Communications. Documents for this and the other Divisions are available on the Master Specification main page here.

Special Note for Network Projects Specified Between 3/23/2020 and 1/14/2021

An interim update to Division 27 of the Master Specification (03.2020) was published on this page from 3/23/2020 to 1/14/2021. A copy of that version is archived here for reference [PDF]. 

Electronic Safety and Security Design Guide:
Electronic Access Control and Intrusion Detection

The project designer for electronic access control (EAC) and intrusion detection systems at the University of Houston is responsible for retrieving the current version of this document before beginning a design or making substantial changes to one.

Current Version

Electronic Safety and Security Design Guide:
Surveillance and Call Stations

The project designer for surveillance and emergency call station systems at the University of Houston is responsible for retrieving the current version of this document before beginning a design or making substantial changes to one.

Current Version

Electronic Safety and Security Design Deliverable Checklist

The project designer for campus safety and security systems at the University of Houston is responsible for retrieving the current version of this document before beginning a design or making substantial changes to one.

Current Version

Related Documents: Master Specification, Division 28

Designers and contractors for campus safety and security systems projects are also expected to be familiar with and to follow the requirements in the University of Houston Master Specifications. Requirements for such systems — including approved manufacturers, authorized part numbers, installation instructions, required submittals and other essential topics — are defined in Division 28: Electronic Safety and Security. Documents for this and the other Divisions are available on the Master Specification main page here.

EDUCAUSE 2023 - University of Houston Information Technology (UIT)

Speakers

Session Type: Poster Session
Delivery Format: Poster Session

Are Unified Standards Possible for IT Facilities Systemwide?

IT facilities have evolved rapidly since 1980 and vary from one space to another. Many early facilities grew out of spaces originally intended for other purposes. Configurations and functionality diverged, maintenance became more costly, and service quality suffered. Ownership and access control often became inconsistent.
For critical IT services, reliable availability demands physical security and compliance with relevant regulations, industry guidelines, and best practices.

Uniform standards for IT facilities make it possible to implement such security and compliance throughout an organization. Establishing and achieving baseline standards in a university system requires knowing what you have, what you want as ideal, and the gaps between the two.

This presentation describes a methodical approach and suggests tools and techniques to aid the process of classifying and standardizing IT facilities (network, computing, and audiovisual). In this case-study-in-progress, we have already defined and launched the effort and are advancing toward achieving the standardization goal.

PROJECT DELIVERABLES

  • Baseline Standards [PDF] — Note that section 3.4, pages 10–15, is a comprehensive access control protocol for IT Facilities and can be published separately if desired.
  • Assessment Checklists
  • Standard Resolutions for Common Problems (see poster, below)
  • Data Repository for Facilities Inventory & Progress Tracking (see poster, below)
  • Reports (see poster, below)

RELATED MATERIAL