MODON Development Standards

Development Standards
Volume 3 – Dry Utilities
Chapter 3: Telecommunications

Part 4: Construction Specifications

Document Reference Number: MOD-STD-334-04A

Revision Number: 04A
Date: 01 / 09 / 2021

Please note:
UNCONTROLLED VERSION WHEN PRINTED OR SAVED LOCALLY.
Refer to the Controlled Document in the MODON Platform for the latest version.
 Contents
33.71.19 Electrical Underground Ducts, Ductbanks, and Manholes........................................... 2

Section 1.1 Delivery, Storage and Handling: ......................................................................... 2

Section 1.2 Coordination ........................................................................................................... 2

Section 1.3 Submittals ............................................................................................................... 3

Section 1.4 Installation............................................................................................................... 3

Section 4.5 Safety for OSP Works .......................................................................................... 8

Section 4.6 Testing..................................................................................................................... 8

Document Reference Number: MOD-STD-334-04A MODON Development Standards

Revision Number: 04A Chapter 3 Telecommunications
Page: 1 of 10
 33.71.19 Electrical Underground Ducts, Ductbanks, and
Manholes
Section 1.1 Delivery, Storage and Handling:
A) Deliveries: Deliver materials in manufacturer's original packaging with all tags and
labels intact and legible.
B) Packing:
1) Ship cable on non-returnable steel reels to protect the HDPE from damage
during handling, storage and transportation. The diameter of the drum shall
be at least 20 times the diameter of the cable.
2) These substantial reels shall be so designed that the inner end of the cable
be accessible, but protected from injury. All ends of the cable shall be sealed
to prevent entrance of moisture and securely fastened to prevent them from
becoming loose during transit.
3) Different cut lengths per drum must be available when requested.
4) If the duct stored in open area (for a short time only) must be protected from
direct sunlight or heat and must not be in contact with hot surfaces.
5) The HDPE duct accessories shall be sufficiently packaged in a carton box to
be protected from damage during handling, storage and transportation.
6) The individual packages of HDPE duct accessories shall be multi-packed in a
strong carton box suitable for shipping, handling and storage, to a maximum
weight of 25 Kg.
C) Store and handle materials to avoid damage and interference with work of other
trades. Protect HDPE materials from exposure to sunlight. Store ducts and
prefabricated bends to prevent sagging or other mechanical damage.
D) The following information shall be visible on shipping crates and protective wrapping:
1) Name or trademark of manufacturer of HDPE materials and accessories.
Submit manufacture’s qualifications and ISO 9001 Certification number
2) Code number of manufacturers
3) Address of manufacturer
4) Cable length
5) Date of manufacture (Month & Year)
6) Name and telephone number of local representatives
7) Country of Origin
8) Purchase Order (P.O) No

Section 1.2 Coordination

The following major details need to be coordinated with each utility:
A) Required fiber-optic transmission media needed for data communication
B) Required location for fiber-optic cable access; it is assumed that the last mile1 will
be run by each utility to its specific equipment, unless specifically requested
otherwise
Document Reference Number: MOD-STD-334-04A MODON Development Standards
Revision Number: 04A Chapter 3 Telecommunications
Page: 2 of 10
 C) Locations and space requirement for utility owned communications equipment
located remote to utility locations throughout the city; this would be any kind of
specialty routing or repeating equipment if standard Ethernet transmission protocols
were not being used by the utilities
D) Careful coordination with the other service providers and city utilities.

Section 1.3 Submittals

A) Submittals shall consist of a complete design description, including detailed
drawings, specifications and submittals of all subsystems and elements within the
subsystem. Each calculation, test procedure, final drawing and submittal shall be
reviewed and signed by specialist. Submittals shall include all materials, equipment,
assembly and installation required to carry out the functions and purposes indicated
in the Specifications, and to make the system suitable for the purpose for which it is
intended, whether or not such materials, equipment, assembly and installation are
specially indicated in the requirements of the Specifications.
B) Design submittal shall define interfaces between the systems.
C) Submit Product Data Sheets with product information in sufficient detail to indicate
that components meet these specifications. The product model shall be indicated
explicitly with arrow or underline on the product sheet submitted.
D) Schedule: Submit schedule including identification and description of all major
system cutover events or integration activities describing techniques, methods,
during duration and procedures.
E) Shop Drawings: Submit shop drawings for MODON’s review. Completeness of shop
drawings shall be sufficient to indicate compliance with Contract Documents.
F) Submit manufacturer’s data and certification at least 2 weeks prior to commencing
work.
G) Submit manufacturer’s information data sheets and instructions.
H) Submit copy of the factory test results.

Section 1.4 Installation

A) General
1) The underground communication system must be completely interconnected
with conduit and separate from other systems. Each conduit system shall
have a minimum of 25 percent spare conduits (rounded up to the nearest
whole number).
2) MH \ HH shall be provided to facilitate the installation of the communication
media. MH \ HH shall be located to provide workable pulling tensions and
located such that no conduit run has more than three 90-degree (°) sweeps
in a run.
3) Construction Methods of Jointing Chambers:
i. Prefabricated Chambers: Prefabrication shall be the preferred method
of constructing jointing chambers.
ii. Cast-In-Situ Chambers: Where prefabrication methods are not
economically viable or where reconstruction of chambers is required,
chambers may be cast-in- place.

Document Reference Number: MOD-STD-334-04A MODON Development Standards

Revision Number: 04A Chapter 3 Telecommunications
Page: 3 of 10
 iii. Change in Duct bank Configuration: Where it may be required to
change duct bank configurations due to clearance limitations, spacers
shall be located to give adequate support in the transition area. Ducts
shall be in the same configuration on each side of the transition. The
distance between ducts during the transition shall be a minimum of
30mm.
iv. Cold Bends: Cold bends may be fabricated on site. Ducts shall be
assembled outside of the trench and lowered into place. Joints shall
be located outside of the curve whenever possible. Supports shall be
positioned to maintain at least 30 mm between ducts.
v. Prefabricated Bends: Prefabricated bends shall be laid in the same
manner as cold bends including the placement of spacers. Only minor
cold bend corrections of prefabricated bends shall be permitted.
vi. Duct Connections and Terminations: Duct connections and
terminations shall be watertight.
vii. Concrete Encasement and Steel Reinforcement: All duct banks or
single ducts shall be concrete encased prior to backfilling. At locations
where duct banks or single ducts cross roads or highways, they shall
be concrete encased with steel reinforcement.
viii. Backfilling:
(a) Backfilling including compaction tests, removal of spoil, and
restoration of surfaces to grade shall not commence until duct
work has been inspected and approved by MODON.
(b) Landscaping shall be provided and/or restored to original
condition.
ix. Manhole Spacing
(a) Manhole spacing shall not exceed 300m for a straight duct
bank run.
(b) The manhole spacing for duct bank runs with bends will be
reduced and shall be individually calculated by the Contractor.
B) Clearance from Utilities Services
1) All types of ducts and cables laid directly in the ground shall be kept well
clear of water mains, service pipes, sewers, subways, manholes, joint boxes
or other plant belonging to other utilities.
2) When crossing other utility lines and facilities, a minimum of 0.3 m separation
shall normally be maintained. If 0.3 m cannot be met, ducts shall be
underpinned by reinforced concrete or by other approved methods.
3) Horizontal separation from other utility lines and facilities shall not be less
than 0.50 m.
4) The above-mentioned clearances are a guide, however the standard
clearances as specified by the concerned authority shall be strictly followed.
C) Road Crossings
1) Ducts in a road crossing shall be locatable e.g., through the use of
(permanent) marking on the curb on both sides of a road, or coordinates that
record survey points.

Document Reference Number: MOD-STD-334-04A MODON Development Standards

Revision Number: 04A Chapter 3 Telecommunications
Page: 4 of 10
 D) Active Elements
1) Unless explicitly stated and for mobiles sites only, no dispositions for active
equipment in the OSP (e.g., electricity) are to be provided.
E) Laying and Jointing
1) Single Ducts
i. The duct sections shall be jointed together in compliance with the
manufacturers jointing system and shall result in a continuous smooth
internal surface free from sharp edges and protrusions. The duct shall
be laid on the trench bottom and the spigot end and the inside of the
socket of the ducts to be jointed shall be thoroughly cleaned.
ii. The spigots and sockets of a duct are so designed that, taking into
account all manufacturing tolerances, the spigot will start to engage
with the socket at a point between 1/3 and 2/3 of the socket depth.
Two spigot markings are provided on the duct to show the maximum
and minimum insertion depths. The minimum marking must be at
least level with the socket.
iii. When jointing short lengths of duct together with a collar duct the
spigot ends shall be given a liberal coating of a suitable sealing
compound and then fitted into the collar so that they butt together at
the midpoint.
2) Multi-way
i. The jointing of ducts, sub-ducts and duct bundles shall be as outlined
above.
ii. The first layer of ducts (or duct bundles) shall be laid on the prepared
trench bottom so that their outer surfaces touch each other. Spacers
at a distance of 1 meter shall be used to keep the duct formation in
the correct position. Concrete or earth free from stones shall be
placed to fill the spaces between the ducts and the next layer of duct
when the latter is bedded down.
F) Alternative Method of Jointing and Laying
Provided space permits, ducts may be joined above ground and fed into the trench
from one end.
G) Pre-formed Duct Bends
1) All bends must be of the same material as the duct or duct bundles to which
they connect.
2) Pre-formed bends shall be used for all types of short run ducts. Ducts in the
short run may be bent with less than 10 degrees only. Pre-formed duct bends
shall only be used at the end of duct lengths for building or Manhole entries
or house lead-ins. pre-formed duct bends may be used for duct routes
between Manholes.
3) No more than two ninety-degree (or equivalent) bends shall be installed in
the duct between any two manholes.
i. Minimum curve bend radii for ducts between two manholes:

Document Reference Number: MOD-STD-334-04A MODON Development Standards

Revision Number: 04A Chapter 3 Telecommunications
Page: 5 of 10
 Duct Size Long Run Short Run
(>100 m) (<100 m)
100 mm 5000 mm 800 mm
50 mm 800 mm 300 mm
25 mm Not applicable 300 mm

Preferably, to change the direction of a 100 mm duct in a long run,

combinations of bends with angles of: 30° x 5m radius or 45 ° x 5m
radius shall be used.
H) Protection Against Entry of Material
1) A suitable plug shall be inserted in the ends of each bore (or "way") of a duct
to prevent the ingress of water and/or other foreign matter. The plugging
mechanism or material shall be readily removable to allow for future sub-duct
or cable installation.
I) Cleaning and Testing
1) On completion of the duct line or bundles (including compaction of the
backfill and prior to surface reinstatement like asphalting) between any two
Manholes, or sites thereof, a cylindrical brush followed by a UPVC mandrel
shall be passed once through each "way" to test the installed duct and to
remove any foreign matter that may have entered. The mandrel shall have a
minimum diameter of 80% of the internal duct diameter.
i. If any defect is discovered during these operations, the defect shall
be repaired.
ii. After all operations are completed, including the repair of the duct
where necessary, the joints of all ducts shall be tested to ensure that
they are forming an effective seal (e.g., air tightness test, foam
sponge, mandrel, pressure tests). Any defects shall be repaired.
J) Draw Rope
The use of draw ropes is an option to support future deployment of FOC or subducts
by pulling. In case draw ropes are used, they should conform to the following
specifications:
1) Draw ropes shall be threaded through and left in every bore (duct way) with
sufficient surplus to enable future cabling or subducting operations. Draw
ropes may be joined together to make up the necessary length between
jointing chambers/Manholes.
2) For lead in ducts, the rope shall be attached to the duct seal rope anchor or
the plug pressure anchor eye.
3) Under no circumstances shall a rope be fitted through a duct seal.
4) Draw rope for any duct shall be rated at a minimum of 550 kg.
K) Duct Seal
1) When ducts (including sub-ducts and duct bundles) need to be sealed, they
shall be sealed within each Manhole/Handhole, so as to prevent the ingress
of water between the outside of the duct and the Manhole/Handhole and the
ingress of gas, water and vermin through the ducts.
Document Reference Number: MOD-STD-334-04A MODON Development Standards
Revision Number: 04A Chapter 3 Telecommunications
Page: 6 of 10
 2) Breakthrough into a building/customers’ premises shall be performed
carefully, in compliance with good engineering practices and any conditions
or specifications regarding rights of way or works instructions issued.
3) All duct sections between a building and the first Manhole shall be gas-tight
and watertight.
4) Lead-in ducts into customers' premises shall be sealed at the end within the
Manhole and building / customers' premises. Uncabled ducts ending in a
street cabinet shall have a suitable plug.
L) Pulled Joints
In case a duct joint or joints have pulled apart, short lengths of ordinary or split duct
may be inserted in the duct line and satisfactory joints established.
M) Protection of Cables and Associated Equipment
1) During the cutting of duct entries into a Manhole/Handhole, all reasonable
measures shall be taken to protect existing cables and associated
equipment.
2) All movement of cables shall be carried out in a controlled manner such that
all cables are evenly supported throughout their length.
3) Under no circumstances shall cables, joints and equipment be used for
climbing, standing or sitting on. Plant or materials shall not be supported on
cables or associated equipment at any time.
4) Sufficient pumping capacity shall be made available and operated to ensure
that when cables are removed from their bearers they shall not be immersed
in water at any time.
5) All cables shall be protected by shielding as necessary against mechanical
damage.
N) Manhole/Handhole Entry
1) Ducts shall only enter a Manhole/Handhole at the narrow ends i.e., those
faces of the pit with the least surface area. They shall enter the
Manhole/Handhole at right angles to the walls. No change of direction shall
occur.
2) A minimum separation shall be kept between ducts at the entrance to the
Manhole/Handhole.
3) The duct shall extend some space into the Manhole.
4) Ducts shall exit a Manhole in a standard formation and enter the subsequent
Manhole with each duct in the same relative location
5) New duct entries into existing Manholes/Handholes or other buildings shall
be cut by core drilling techniques only. Where the duct enters the chamber,
the finish shall be flush and smooth. No protrusions shall remain that may
cause damage to cables.
Existing cables and/or equipment shall be protected prior to drilling
operations.

Document Reference Number: MOD-STD-334-04A MODON Development Standards

Revision Number: 04A Chapter 3 Telecommunications
Page: 7 of 10
 Section 4.5 Safety for OSP Works
A) Any accident, incident and hazard during the construction shall be avoided.
B) A suitable number of expert personnel and adequate equipment and construction
material is to be used to provide for:
1) Safety of employees
2) Safety before start of work
3) Safety during progress of work
4) Safety of public and private property
5) Adequate tools and equipment at work area.
C) All efforts shall be undertaken to safeguard the workers from any injury and damage
or loss of properties by complying with national and international standards on safety
of OSP works.
D) Any workers must wear suitable protective clothing.
E) Safety of the public and of property must be ensured (by the use of warning signs,
traffic barriers, fencing, etc.). Any noise and pollution in the work shall be kept to a
minimum.
F) Open trenches must be secured and adequate warning signs provided.
G) Safe and secure working conditions shall be ensured. Any unsafe acts or conditions
shall be corrected immediately.
H) Rules and regulations of all relevant authorities for safety and security must be
followed.
I) Unannounced inspections and evaluations of the safety precautions and procedures
in the work area shall be performed from time to time to ensure proper application of
safety rules and procedures.
J) Safety glasses with side shields and protective gloves shall always be worn during
FOC installations. Fiber optic splinters shall be treated in the same way as glass
splinters.
K) All fiber pieces shall be placed in a properly marked container for disposal. The work
area must be thoroughly cleaned when the work is done

Section 4.6 Testing

A) Fiber-optic cable must be tested on the reel and post installation. On the reel, testing
will be accomplished using an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) to verify
cable length and ensure there are no fiber defects. Post installation testing will be
done using an optical loss test set (OLTS) to ensure that power received through the
installed fiber meets the requirements of Electronic Industries
Alliance/Telecommunications Industry Association (EIA/TIA)-568 and the required
power budget for the corresponding active devices to be used in conjunction with the
fiber. Fiber-optic cables found to be defective must be replaced.
B) Pressure Testing Individual ducts shall be pressure tested upon completion of
installation to ensure that all joints are properly sealed and ducts are not defective.
The test pressure shall be 1.5 bar for 2 minutes after a "steady state" is achieved
and shall show no evidence of leaking.
C) Complete Testing

Document Reference Number: MOD-STD-334-04A MODON Development Standards

Revision Number: 04A Chapter 3 Telecommunications
Page: 8 of 10
 Ducts shall be swabbed out to remove all sand, dirt, stones and mud. Ducts shall be
mandril tested (minimum allowable diameter shall be 95mm for 110 mm and 42 mm
for 50 mm ducts).
Dimensions of mandrils shall be 95 mm x 300 mm for 110 mm ducts and 42 mm x
200 mm for 50 mm ducts. After man drilling, a 6 mm nylon pull rope shall be installed
in each duct and seals installed in all duct ends.

END OF PART 4

Document Reference Number: MOD-STD-334-04A MODON Development Standards

Revision Number: 04A Chapter 3 Telecommunications
Page: 9 of 10