Press information FIA hosts major seminars on BS6701 Installation and launches new splicing TSD Released 16 April 2004 Key issues that have considerable commercial implications and risks to those involved in specifying and installing networks will be addressed at seminars at The Building Centre in London and the IOD Manchester facility on 25 and 27 May respectively, organised by the Fibreoptic Industry Association, the not for profit organisation devoted to the interests of the fibre community. BS 6701:2004 is the envy of Europe - a single UK installation standard that ties together all the other requirements and recommendations and puts them in one place. Moreover, it clearly defines who is responsible for what - installer or the client. This paper charts the progress of the new UK standard and details its implications for all involved in the installation process. The paper, presented by Rob Cardigan, Molex Premise Networks and Secretary of BSI TCT7/-/3, will also describe the use of the BSI BIP0007, sponsored by the FIA, which provides a useful guide to the new standards and how they relate to each other. Fusion splicing - the risk of over-specification! Extremely low splice insertion losses can be specified, but acceptance of such specifications can put project managers and installers at unquantifiable commercial risk. The FIA was asked by members to address this issue and formed a Splicing Project team involving the very best specialist companies including Fujikura, Furukawa, Sumitomo and Tritec. The results of this work, which forms the latest Technical Support Document, TSD-2000-4-1-1, Optical Fibre Installation Practices: Splicing, will be presented by Mike Gilmore, FIA Technical Director. The FIA TSD sets out a commercially neutral framework, detailing the most appropriate way in which to specify and verify the performance of optical fibre fusion splices; it will also define reasonable and commercially acceptable limits for the splices under specific conditions. High bandwidth multimode optical fibre - is it worth the investment? Cables containing high bandwidth multimode (OM3) optical fibre command a price premium. Is their use justified in all circumstances? This presentation shows that the true benefit of such products is not only transmission distance for applications such as 10GBASE-SR, but also increased network resilience and resistance to contamination at connections. This paper provides useful guidance for installers and users alike. To learn by experience may cost considerably more than the £75 for members and their guests or £125 for non-members. For further information on the seminars, and to reserve a place, contact the FIA Secretariat, 01763 273039, jane@fiasec.demon.co.uk. *** Ends: body copy 399 words *** Notes to Editors. For further information: FIA contact: Jane Morrison Fibreoptic Industry Association The Manor House Buntingford SG9 9AB tel: 01763 273039 fax: 01763 273255 jane@fiasec.demon.co.uk www.fibreoptic.org.uk Agency contact: Nigel May Parkfield Communications Limited Parkfield House Damerham SP6 3HQ tel: 01725 518321 fax: 01725 518378 nigel.may@parkfield.co.uk www.parkfield.co.uk The Fibreoptic Industry Association represents more than 80% of UK companies involved in the manufacture or installation of fibre optic components and systems for voice and data communications. The Association provides advice to end-users, runs training and qualification services for its members, contributes to the development of national and international standards and generally represents the interests of the fibre industry. Its web site, www.fibreoptic.org.uk provides a free online reference service to all visitors.