Exchange Court

The Development

Accessed via a quiet passageway, close to the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden, Exchange Court is a small development of 21 apartments.

The Proposal

The freeholder & managing agents for Exchange Court (D&GBM) were looking for a full fibre solution in response to increasing resident demand for better broadband.

Having spoken to a number of internet service providers (ISPs), D&GBM had concerns over the multiple breaching of fire compartmentation through the risers - these concerns were preventing progress. However, a solution to the issue was suggested by one of the ISPs - this workaround, was the revolutionary 4Fibre system.

After a comprehensive explanation of the technology involved, D&GBM were fully onboard, appreciating the fact that the job would only need to be done once - and 4Fibre would fire stop and certificate the work afterwards.

A 4Fibre access agreement was agreed with the freeholder, the project was surveyed and a planning pack provided.

Once agreed, SCCI implemented its 4Fibre solution - providing access for up to four ISPs, each with their own dedicated fibre cable installed through only one penetration of each wall / floor / flat.

A key part of the 4Fibre remit was a neat and tidy, low visual impact installation, that could be signed off in accordance with the building's fire stop compliance.

The work involved the cutting of holes in ceilings with access hatches for cabling, and the termination of a point of entry box just outside each apartment's front door.

4Fibre's system provides a low carbon footprint solution, allowing fully independent access for up to 4 full fibre broadband ISPs to all apartments within 2 & 6 Exchange Court

The Delivery

With the aesthetics of the development in mind, and in accordance with a brief of an aesthetically acceptable low visibility solution - SCCIA opted to implement an internal installation with cables installed via the ceiling void.

After identifying suitable locations for the two main distribution cabinets, SCCIA ran multi-fibre cables to each apartment.

Cables were terminated and spliced to the POE in the hallway just outside each apartment, ready for the ISP to connect to the consumer premise equipment (CPE) in each property, when the resident takes service.

Conclusion

The system provides fully independent access to up to four full fibre broadband ISPs – connected 'all the way' to 21 apartments. Any ISP wishing to service the property, can do so easily, without running any cables through the common areas.

All distribution cabling is linked back to a single 'meet me' box in each block - with up to four ISPs able to service all 21 apartments without running additional cables.

On completion of the installation, all firestopping has been completed and certified, with the certificate and photos provided in the O&M.