Commercial Building Standard for

Telecommunications Pathways and Spaces

Addendum 1- Temperature and Humidity
Requirements for Telecommunications
Spaces

TIA-569-B-1 May 2009

(Addendum to TIA-569-B)
 NOTICE

TIA Engineering Standards and Publications are designed to serve the public interest through
eliminating misunderstandings between manufacturers and purchasers, facilitating
interchangeability and improvement of products, and assisting the purchaser in selecting and
obtaining with minimum delay the proper product for their particular need. The existence of
such Standards and Publications shall not in any respect preclude any member or non-member of
TIA from manufacturing or selling products not conforming to such Standards and Publications.
Neither shall the existence of such Standards and Publications preclude their voluntary use by
Non-TIA members, either domestically or internationally.

Standards and Publications are adopted by TIA in accordance with the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) patent policy. By such action, TIA does not assume any liability to
any patent owner, nor does it assume any obligation whatever to parties adopting the Standard or
Publication.

This Standard does not purport to address all safety problems associated with its use or all
applicable regulatory requirements. It is the responsibility of the user of this Standard to
establish appropriate safety and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations before its use.

(From Standards Proposal No. 3-4817-RV2-AD1, formulated under the cognizance of the TIA,
TR-42 User Premises Telecommunications Cabling Requirements. TR-42.3 Commercial Building
Telecommunications Pathways and Spaces.)

Published by

TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

Standards and Technology Department
2500 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22201 U.S.A.

PRICE: Please refer to current Catalog of

TIA TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION STANDARDS
AND ENGINEERING PUBLICATIONS
or call IHS, USA and Canada
(1-877-413-5187) International (303-397-2896)
or search online at http://www.tiaonline.org/standards/catalog/

All rights reserved

Printed in U.S.A.
 NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT

This document is copyrighted by the TIA.

Reproduction of these documents either in hard copy or soft copy (including
posting on the web) is prohibited without copyright permission. For copyright
permission to reproduce portions of this document, please contact TIA Standards
Department or go to the TIA website (www.tiaonline.org) for details on how to
request permission. Details are located at:
http://www.tiaonline.org/standards/catalog/info.cfm#copyright

OR

Telecommunications Industry Association

Standards & Technology Department
2500 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201 USA
+1(703)907-7700

Organizations may obtain permission to reproduce a limited number of copies by entering into a
license agreement. For information, contact:

IHS
15 Inverness Way East
Englewood, CO 80112-5704 or call
U.S.A. and Canada (1-800-525-7052)
International (303-790-0600)
 NOTICE OF DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

The document to which this Notice is affixed (the Document) has been prepared by one or more Engineering
Committees or Formulating Groups of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA). TIA is not the author
of the Document contents, but publishes and claims copyright to the Document pursuant to licenses and permission
granted by the authors of the contents.

TIA Engineering Committees and Formulating Groups are expected to conduct their affairs in accordance with the
TIA Engineering Manual (Manual), the current and predecessor versions of which are available at
http://www.tiaonline.org/standards/procedures/manuals/TIAs function is to administer the process, but not the
content, of document preparation in accordance with the Manual and, when appropriate, the policies and procedures
of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). TIA does not evaluate, test, verify or investigate the
information, accuracy, soundness, or credibility of the contents of the Document. In publishing the Document, TIA
disclaims any undertaking to perform any duty owed to or for anyone.

If the Document is identified or marked as a project number (PN) document, or as a standards proposal (SP)
document, persons or parties reading or in any way interested in the Document are cautioned that: (a) the Document
is a proposal; (b) there is no assurance that the Document will be approved by any Committee of TIA or any other
body in its present or any other form; (c) the Document may be amended, modified or changed in the standards
development or any editing process.

The use or practice of contents of this Document may involve the use of intellectual property rights (IPR),
including pending or issued patents, or copyrights, owned by one or more parties. TIA makes no search or
investigation for IPR. When IPR consisting of patents and published pending patent applications are claimed and
called to TIAs attention, a statement from the holder thereof is requested, all in accordance with the Manual. TIA
takes no position with reference to, and disclaims any obligation to investigate or inquire into, the scope or validity
of any claims of IPR. TIA will neither be a party to discussions of any licensing terms or conditions, which are
instead left to the parties involved, nor will TIA opine or judge whether proposed licensing terms or conditions are
reasonable or non-discriminatory. TIA does not warrant or represent that procedures or practices suggested or
provided in the Manual have been complied with as respects the Document or its contents.

If the Document contains one or more Normative References to a document published by another organization
(other SSO) engaged in the formulation, development or publication of standards (whether designated as a
standard, specification, recommendation or otherwise), whether such reference consists of mandatory, alternate or
optional elements (as defined in the TIA Engineering Manual, 4th edition) then (i) TIA disclaims any duty or
obligation to search or investigate the records of any other SSO for IPR or letters of assurance relating to any such
Normative Reference; (ii) TIAs policy of encouragement of voluntary disclosure (see Engineering Manual Section
6.5.1) of Essential Patent(s) and published pending patent applications shall apply; and (iii) Information as to claims
of IPR in the records or publications of the other SSO shall not constitute identification to TIA of a claim of
Essential Patent(s) or published pending patent applications.

TIA does not enforce or monitor compliance with the contents of the Document. TIA does not certify, inspect, test
or otherwise investigate products, designs or services or any claims of compliance with the contents of the
Document.

ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE DISCLAIMED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION,

ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENTS, ITS FITNESS OR
APPROPRIATENESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, ITS MERCHANTABILITY AND ITS
NONINFRINGEMENT OF ANY THIRD PARTYS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. TIA EXPRESSLY
DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENTS AND
MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES REGARDING THE CONTENTS COMPLIANCE
WITH ANY APPLICABLE STATUTE, RULE OR REGULATION, OR THE SAFETY OR HEALTH EFFECTS
OF THE CONTENTS OR ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE REFERRED TO IN THE DOCUMENT OR
PRODUCED OR RENDERED TO COMPLY WITH THE CONTENTS.
TIA SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY AND ALL DAMAGES, DIRECT OR INDIRECT, ARISING FROM
OR RELATING TO ANY USE OF THE CONTENTS CONTAINED HEREIN, INCLUDING WITHOUT
LIMITATION ANY AND ALL INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
(INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF PROFITS, LITIGATION, OR THE LIKE),
WHETHER BASED UPON BREACH OF CONTRACT, BREACH OF WARRANTY, TORT (INCLUDING
NEGLIGENCE), PRODUCT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
SUCH DAMAGES. THE FOREGOING NEGATION OF DAMAGES IS A FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENT OF
THE USE OF THE CONTENTS HEREOF, AND THESE CONTENTS WOULD NOT BE PUBLISHED BY TIA
WITHOUT SUCH LIMITATIONS.
 TIA-569-B-1

COMMERCIAL BUILDING STANDARD FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS PATHWAYS AND

SPACES
ADDENDUM 1 TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY REQUIREMENTS FOR TELECOMMUNI-
CATIONS SPACES

Table of Contents

FOREWORD...............................................................................................................................ii
1 SCOPE ................................................................................................................................1
2 NORMATIVE REFERENCES ..............................................................................................1
3 DEFINITIONS, ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS .........................................................1
3.1 General...........................................................................................................................1
3.2 Definitions......................................................................................................................1
3.3 Acronyms and abbreviations........................................................................................1
4 MODIFICATION TO OPERATING LIMITS ..........................................................................1
5 MODIFICATIONS TO TIA-569-B.........................................................................................2
5.1 Access provider and service provider space operational parameters ......................2
5.2 Common equipment room operational parameters ....................................................2
5.3 Common telecommunications room operational parameters....................................2
5.4 Telecommunications enclosure operational parameters ...........................................2
5.5 Telecommunications room HVAC ................................................................................3
5.6 Telecommunications room operational parameters ...................................................3
5.7 Equipment room operational parameters ....................................................................3
5.8 Entrance room operating parameters ..........................................................................3
5.9 Revised temperature and humidity requirements for telecommunications spaces .3
Annex A (informative) References...........................................................................................5

List of Tables

Table 18: Temperature and humidity requirements for telecommunication spaces ............4

i
TIA-569-B-1

FOREWORD

(This foreword is not part of this Standard.)

This Addendum has been prepared by the TR-42.3 Subcommittee and approved by TR-42.3
and the TR-42 Engineering Committee.
There is one annex to this Addendum. Annex A is informative and not considered part of this
Addendum.

ii
 TIA-569-B-1

1 SCOPE
This Addendum specifies revised requirements for temperature and humidity in commercial
building telecommunications spaces to harmonize with environmental guidelines developed by
ASHRAE. These revised requirements should reduce energy consumption for heating, ventila-
tion, and air conditioning; and should provide more flexibility in maintaining temperature and
humidity in telecommunications spaces.

2 NORMATIVE REFERENCES
The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute pro-
visions of this Addendum. At the time of publication, the editions indicated were valid. All stan-
dards are subject to revision, and parties to agreements based on this standard are encouraged
to investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the standards indicated be-
low.
ASHRAE, Thermal Guidelines for Data Processing Environments, 2004
ASHRAE, 2008 ASHRAE Environmental Guidelines for Datacom Equipment Expand-
ing the Recommended Environmental Envelope, 2008

3 DEFINITIONS, ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

3.1 General
For the purposes of this Addendum the following definitions, acronyms, and abbreviations apply.
3.2 Definitions
dew point: The temperature to which air must be cooled (assuming constant air pressure and
moisture content) to reach a relative humidity of 100% (i.e., saturation).
dry-bulb temperature: The temperature of air measured by a thermometer freely exposed to
the air but shielded from radiation (e.g. sunlight, radiant heat) and moisture.
3.3 Acronyms and abbreviations
ASHRAE American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers
ESD electrostatic discharge
RH relative humidity

4 MODIFICATION TO OPERATING LIMITS

Modifications to the operating limits are based on ASHRAE, New Environmental Guidelines for
Datacom Equipment Expanding the Recommended Environmental Envelope, 2008.
ASHRAE has determined that electrostatic discharge (ESD) is a function of dew point or abso-
lute humidity and not relative humidity. Thus, the lower operating ranges for humidity have
been modified to be based on dew point rather than relative humidity.
Upper limits for relative humidity and dew point have been specified to reduce failures caused
by conductive anodic filament growth on printed circuit board laminate materials.
It should be noted that the change from 25 to 27 C (77 to 81 F) can have a detrimental effect
on acoustical noise and fan power for equipment, because equipment fan utilization can increase
dramatically as inlet temperatures increase. Equipment manufacturers should be consulted when
considering ambient inlet temperatures near 27 C (81 F).

1
TIA-569-B-1

The lower temperature limit has been reduced to improve the efficiency of heating, ventilation and
air conditioning (HVAC) systems by avoiding the need to mix hot return air to maintain the pre-
vious 20 C (68 F) limit. However, it should also be noted that there is a risk of freezing the coil
of direct expansion air conditioning units that deliver air temperatures below 20 C (68 F).

5 MODIFICATIONS TO TIA-569-B
Modifications to the text of TIA-569-B are described below deleted text is struck through; add-
ed text is underlined.
5.1 Access provider and service provider space operational parameters
The requirements in 5.5.2.2.4 shall be revised as follows:
Access provider and service provider space temperature and humidity shall be controlled to
meet the requirements of Clause 9. provide continuous operating ranges of 18 C (65 F) to
24 C (75 F) with 30% to 55% relative humidity. Humidification and dehumidification equip-
ment may be required depending upon local environmental conditions.
The ambient temperature and humidity shall be measured at a distance of 1.5 m (5 ft) above the
floor level, after the equipment is in operation, at any point along an equipment aisle centerline.
Access provider and service provider spaces should not have exterior windows, as exterior win-
dows may increase heat load.
5.2 Common equipment room operational parameters
The requirements in 6.2.5.2.2.3 shall be revised as follows:
Common equipment room temperature and humidity shall be controlled to meet the require-
ments of Clause 9. Where HVAC is provided to the CER, the temperature and humidity shall be
controlled to provide continuous operating ranges of 18 C (64 F) to 24 C (75 F) with 30% to
55% relative humidity. Humidification and dehumidification equipment may be required depend-
ing upon local environmental conditions.
The ambient temperature and humidity shall be measured at a distance of 1.5 m (5 ft) above the
floor level, after the equipment is in operation, at any point along an equipment aisle centerline.
Common equipment rooms should not have exterior windows, as exterior windows may in-
crease heat load.
5.3 Common telecommunications room operational parameters
The requirements in 6.3.5.2 shall be revised as follows:
Common telecommunications room temperature and humidity shall be controlled to meet the
requirements of Clause 9. The CTR may require environmental control depending upon the vo-
lume and design of electronic equipment. Electronic equipment is often designed to operate in
hostile environments, outside the 18 C to 24 C (65 F to 75 F) range. As a guideline for cool-
ing a standard CTR, provide 9 m3 (300 ft3) of 12 C (55 F) conditioned air per 20 A dedicated
receptacle.
5.4 Telecommunications enclosure operational parameters
The requirements in 7.10.5.2.1.1 shall be revised as follows:
When active devices are present or will be installed in the telecommunications enclosure, a me-
chanism to remove the generated heat shall be included to avoid any detrimental effect to the
active contents of the telecommunications enclosure. Refer to the active device manufacturer

2
 TIA-569-B-1

for specific guidance on temperature and humidity limitations of the active equipment. Temper-
ature and humidity inside the telecommunications enclosure shall meet the requirements of
Clause 9.
5.5 Telecommunications room HVAC
The requirements in 7.11.5.2.1 shall be revised as follows:
HVAC shall be included in the design of the telecommunications room to maintain a tempera-
ture the same as the adjacent office area and humidity within the operating ranges specified in
Clause 9.
5.6 Telecommunications room operational parameters
The requirements in 7.11.5.2.1.3 shall be revised as follows:
A positive pressure shall be maintained with a minimum of one air change per hour, or as re-
quired by applicable code. When active devices (heat producing equipment) are present, a suf-
ficient number of air changes should be provided to dissipate the heat.
5.7 Equipment room operational parameters
The requirements in 7.12.4.2.2.3 shall be revised as follows:
The temperature and humidity shall be controlled to provide continuous operating ranges speci-
fied in Clause 9. of 18 oC (64 oF) to 24 oC (75 oF) with 30% to 55% relative humidity. Humidifica-
tion and dehumidification equipment may be required depending upon local environmental con-
ditions.
The ambient temperature and humidity shall be measured at a distance of 1.5 m (5 ft) above the
floor level, after the equipment is in operation, at any point along an equipment aisle center line.
Equipment rooms should not have exterior windows, as exterior windows may increase heat
load.
5.8 Entrance room operating parameters
Add clause 7.13.7
7.13.7 HVAC
The temperature and humidity of entrance rooms shall be controlled to provide continuous op-
erating ranges specified in Clause 9.
5.9 Revised temperature and humidity requirements for telecommunications spaces
Insert Clause 9 and Table 18 into TIA-569-B.

9 Temperature and humidity requirements for telecommunications spaces

Temperature and humidity in telecommunications spaces shall be controlled to provide conti-
nuous operating ranges as specified in Table 18.

3
TIA-569-B-1

Table 18: Temperature and humidity requirements for telecommunication spaces

Space Environmental requirements

Equipment rooms, common
equipment rooms, access provid-
er spaces, and service provider
spaces
Temperature: 18 27 C (64 81 F) dry bulb
o High altitude: reduce maximum dry-bulb tempera-
ture 1C for every 300m (1.8F for every 1000 ft)
above 1800 m (5900 ft) altitude.
Maximum Relative Humidity (RH): 60%
Maximum dew point: 15 C (59 F)
Minimum dew point (lower moisture limit): 5.5 C (42 F)1
Maximum rate of temperature change: 5 C (9 F) per
hour

Telecommunications rooms, Temperature: 5 35 C (41 95 F) dry bulb.

common telecommunications
rooms, telecommunications en- o High altitude: reduce maximum dry-bulb tempera-
closures, and entrance rooms2 ture 1 C / 300m (1.8 F/1000 ft) above 900 m
(3000 ft) altitude.
o Diskettes: minimum temperature with diskette in a
drive is 10 C (50 F).
Reduce maximum dry-bulb temperature 1 C / 300m (1.8
F/1000 ft) above 900 m (3000 ft) altitude. Minimum
temperature with diskette in a drive is 10 C (50 F).
Relative Humidity: 8 - 80%
Maximum dew point: 28 C (82 F)
Notes:
1. Dewpoint of 5.5 C (41.9 F) - corresponds to approximately 44% RH at 18 C (64 F)
and 25% RH at 27 C (81 F).
2. Entrance rooms may have more restrictive temperature and humidity conditions de-
pending on the requirements of the providers that place equipment in these spaces.

The temperature and humidity shall be measured while the equipment is in operation. Temper-
ature and humidity shall be measured at air intakes of operating (powered) equipment. Except
in telecommunications enclosures, temperature and humidity should be measured at a distance
of 1.5 m (5 ft) above the floor level every 3 to 9 m (10 to 30 ft) along the center line of the aisles
at the front of the cabinets or racks. In telecommunications enclosures the temperature and
humidity should be measured as near as practical to the center of the enclosure. Temperature
measurements should be taken at several locations of the air intake of any equipment with po-
tential cooling problems. Refer to ASHRAE Thermal Guidelines for Data Processing Equipment
and 2008 ASHRAE Environmental Guidelines for Datacom Equipment Expanding the Rec-
ommended Environmental Envelope for more detailed guidelines for measuring and evaluating
equipment room temperatures.

4
 TIA-569-B-1

Annex A (informative) References

This annex is informative and is not part of this Addendum.

The organization listed below can be contacted to obtain reference information.

ASHRAE
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
1791 Tullie Circle, NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
(800) 527-4723
(404) 636-8400
www.ashrae.org