Low Voltage Checklist
for General Contractors

For General Contractors, integrating low voltage requirements during the design-build phase is no longer optional—it is critical. Waiting until the walls are closed leads to "The Change Order Cascade" that costs thousands and delays grand openings.

Building the Digital Foundation

In modern commercial construction, the low voltage infrastructure is the "central nervous system." It powers the Wi-Fi your tenants rely on, the security cameras protecting the assets, and the smart building controls managing efficiency. As a General Contractor, managing these dependencies before the drywall crew arrives is the difference between a profitable project and a logistical nightmare.

Below is the essential pre-drywall checklist that every GC should walk through with their technology partner.

1. Conduit Pathways: Think Ahead

The most common retrofit expense is drilling through finished walls because a conduit was too small or missing. A single Cat6 cable might look small, but future-proofing requires physical space for expansion.

• 1-Inch Minimum: Ensure a 1-inch minimum conduit is installed for every desk drop and future fiber run. Fiber optic cable has a strict bend radius; 1-inch conduit prevents the "kinking" that ruins signal integrity.
• Pull Strings: Verify that pull strings are installed and secured in every run. This saves hours of labor during the final trim-out phase.
• Sweep Bends: Use sweep bends rather than 90-degree elbows to ensure cables can be pulled without damaging the internal copper or glass.

2. MDF/IDF Room Sizing & Climate

Technology rooms (MDF/IDF) are often the last space considered in a floor plan, frequently relegated to cramped janitor closets. This is a primary point of failure for building operations.

• BTU Calculations: Verify HVAC load calculations account for the heat generated by network switches and servers. A standard PoE (Power over Ethernet) switch can generate significant heat; without dedicated cooling, the building’s network will throttle or fail.
• Clearance Requirements: Ensure there is at least 3 feet of clearance in front of and behind racks. If a technician can't access the back of the patch panel, your service costs will skyrocket.
• Fire-Rated Backboards: Confirm that 3/4" fire-rated plywood (painted with fire-retardant paint) is installed for wall-mounted equipment.

3. Ceiling Clearances: The "No-Fly Zone"

The plenum space is a crowded environment. If data cables are tossed on top of electrical lines or HVAC ducts, performance suffers.

• J-Hook Separation: Leave adequate clearance (at least 6-12 inches) for J-hooks and cable trays away from electrical lines. High-voltage lines create EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) that can "bleed" into data lines, causing dropped packets and slow Wi-Fi.
• Support Intervals: Ensure J-hooks are installed every 4 to 5 feet. Cables should never be supported by the ceiling grid or resting on pipes.
• Access Points: Mark the locations for Wireless Access Points (WAPs) early. These should be centered in rooms and away from large metal obstructions.

Why Partner with Concerto?

We don't just pull cable; we partner with General Contractors to ensure the technology scope is handled from design to certification. By getting us involved in the design-build phase, we help eliminate the ambiguity that leads to change orders.