Sounds like a classic case of faulty wiring on behalf of a 'cowboy'
contractor.  Rest assured the 2.4Ghz signal cannot interfere with a
fire alarm system - no matter how sophisticated.
Fire the contractor and get a second opinion.
 
Tony Fellows BSc (E,Eng)
Head of IT Services
Newman University College
Birmingham B32 3NT,
UK
 
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 
 

________________________________

From: Nathan Hay [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wed 24/5/06 1:46 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Wireless Network "Interfering" With Fire
Alarm


I'd agree that he is grasping at straws.  If his alarm cable is
shielded or twisted pairs then there is virtually no chance that
802.11g could induce a voltage in it.  Any fluorescent lights the
cabling runs by is probably more likely to cause a problem.  Like you
said, there are thousands of systems living together peacefully (our
school included), so the burden of proof lies on the contractor.  I
would suggest enlisting the help of someone in your Electrical
Engineering school if you need a detailed analysis of the situation.
They might be able to offer ideas for tests or just show by
calculations that a 2.4 Ghz radio signal can't interfere with a fire
alarm system.
 
Nathan
 
 
 
 
Nathan P. Hay
Network Engineer
Computer Services
Cedarville University
Office: 937-766-6516
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Web: www.cedarville.edu

>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 5/24/2006 6:15 AM >>>
Wondering if anyone has ever run into a similiar problem:

I'm dealing with a contractor who is claiming that our Cisco 1/g 1130s
are interfering with the wired fire alarm system- putting individual
smoke-heads into trouble, causing newly added devices to not be
addressable, etc. He has no basis and can offer no proof, but is
making
lot's of noise about his perception.

Knowing that there are thousands of buildings around the country and
world with RF from WLAN, cellular, radio stations, etc. and fire
systems
getting along nicely, my first take is that this guy is grasping at
straws. If I stretch my mind, the best I can come up with is his
wiring
is acting like an antenna, building up a voltage that shouldn't be
present, and thus maybe creating a condition that points to improper
grounding of his stuff- but I think even that is a reach.

Any thoughts? Have! yet to do any real onsite t-shooting with him yet.

Regards-

Lee

Lee Badman
Network Engineer
CWNA, CWSP
Information Technology and Services
Syracuse University
(315) 443-3003
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

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