HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Broadband Development Standards 12282021 (2)
CONDUIT & CABLE
REQUIREMENTS FOR
DEVELOPERS
City of Rexburg
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1. Distribution fiber conduit shall be located within the Communication Trench as shown in the City
of Rexburg’s Engineering Standards.
a. Unless otherwise determined, fiber conduit must be laid on both sides of the street.
Distribution fiber conduit shall be direct bury 4-Way 16mm/13mm Traceable Dura-Line
FuturePath (or equivalent).
2. All distribution fiber conduit shall have a locate wire grounded at each handhole.
3. Minimum depth of cover over conduit shall be 36”, unless otherwise approved by the City
Engineer.
4. Distribution Boxes and /or Handholes shall be placed:
a. Single Family Residences: a 14” x 19” x 12” Carson HDPE (or equivalent) handholes shall
be placed in between single-family residences on the lot line with the intent to serve
two single family homes from each pull box.
b. Subdivisions: for every 100 homes, a 10’x 10’ easement shall be granted to the City for
additional fiber infrastructure. A 30” X 48” X 24” Duralite T22 (or equivalent) handholes
shall be placed at the corner of this easement lot.
c. Multifamily Residences:
i. Duplexes & Fourplexes: 24” x 36” x 24” Duralite T22 (or equivalent) handholes
shall be placed in between buildings with the intent to serve all the residences
from the handhole.
ii. Town Homes & 4 or more Apartment Buildings: a 24” x 36” x x24” T22 Duralite
(or equivalent) handholes shall be placed at the corner of the lot where
practical. A 10’x 10’ easement shall be granted to the City for additional fiber
infrastructure adjacent to the handholes (the handholes may be within this 10’
x10’ area).
5. Fiber conduit shall be stubbed-out to the edges of developing property to allow for future fiber
optic service to adjacent property and to provide the required looping /gridding of the overall
system.
a. All empty conduits should be plugged as construction takes place.
b. Individual house/business fiber service lines shall be labeled and stubbed-out to lots
adjacent to new streets to eliminate the need for future excavation work in new streets.
6. Developers shall be responsible for paying for direct bury 4-Way DuraLine 16mm/13mm
Traceable FuturePath (or equivalent) for the proposed new development.
7. Acceptance of the fiber conduit are based on the following criteria:
a. Bedding and backfilling of trenches shall be constructed in accordance with current City
standards or otherwise specified by the City Engineer.
b. Perform all testing in the presence of the City Engineer or his assigned agent.
c. A signed “Letter of Acceptance” from the City will be required prior to final surface
reconstruction (i.e.: paving, landscaping, etc.).
8. The developer will construct, and the City will own, and the City’s Third-Party Network
Administer will operate and maintain the facilities within the easements or rights-of-way.
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Introduction
Dear Developer:
The City of Rexburg is a growing and prosperous community with an exciting future, and we
appreciate your efforts to help us grow.
To help maintain its vibrant community and economic development, the City has determined that
residents, businesses, and institutions need a future proof fiber broadband infrastructure as an ordinary
and necessary utility.
A resilient and well-designed fiber network in the City will help advance consumer welfare, civic
participation, public safety, community development, private sector investment, entrepreneurial
activity, job creation and economic growth.
We invite you to help us develop our vision of a “future proof” Rexburg.
This document provides a broad overview of how you can add broadband infrastructure to your
single family and multi-dwelling development projects. This new utility infrastructure can be
included at a fraction of the cost of other necessary utilities like water, sewer, sidewalks, and roads.
A particular benefit is that fiber-connected homes can sell for five to seven thousand dollars more than a
home that only has the old copper-based telecom infrastructure (study done by Render and Associates).
And rental units can command a higher monthly lease fee because of the added value of fiber.
It is important to note that the City does not intend to become an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Our
goal is to work collaboratively with developers, residents, and other property owners to get Rexburg
fully “connected.”
The City views broadband infrastructure similar to the way the City builds and maintains city
streets. The City builds the roads and maintains them, but many different businesses use those
roads to deliver goods and services.
As more broadband infrastructure is deployed, the City sees many opportunities to enhance and
improve City services. For example, widely deployed broadband infrastructure would enable the City to
respond instantly to water and wastewater problems, as well as monitor water and wastewater flows. It
will also offer the potential to provide other public benefits like Wi-Fi for visitors and shoppers, and
enhance public safety with better communications for fire, rescue, and first responders.
We welcome your questions and comments, and we will work with you to enhance the value of
your projects.
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Benefits of Fiber Infrastructure
The extraordinary growth of Internet use has become in part a real estate issue. Until recently, the
popularity of streaming video has been a primary driver of Internet bandwidth, but in 2020, the COVID-
19 pandemic created a dramatic increase in two-way video use as college students moved to a largely
on-line course curriculum, and millions of employees tried to work from home. The use of conference
services like Zoom, GoToMeeting, WebEx, and Skype mushroomed. Legacy copper-based cable-based
Internet and DSL networks struggled to meet the demand, especially on the upload side of their
services. Even when we move past the COVID-19 pandemic, all signs indicate that in the future, we can
count on more remote workers, more distance learning, and more demands on broadband networks
therefore more demands from the broadband network.
Recent surveys of broadband use indicate a significant percentage of renters and home buyers are
influenced by the quality and availability of good Internet broadband. For property owners of MDUs
(Multi-Dwelling Units) and single family/multi-family subdivisions, this represents an opportunity to
compete in the rental marketplace with fiber-based infrastructure. Adding fiber infrastructure to new or
existing MDUs is straightforward. For existing developments, kitchen and bathroom upgrades can easily
cost several times the expense of adding fiber-based Internet. In new projects, adding fiber is a tiny
fraction (less than 1%) of the cost of a new apartment building or housing development.
Benefits include:
Marketing Tool — Rental units and homes with fiber are typically regarded as more desirable, as the
Internet provided by ISPs is often a superior product to anything offered by the telephone or cable
companies. Since the Covid pandemic forced more workers and students to work and study online, the
typically better speed and reliability of fiber Internet can help support higher occupancy rates and
higher monthly rental fees.
Future Proof Asset — Fiber has a very long life. Properly installed, fiber has a usable life of forty-plus
years. Fiber capacity can be increased as needed without the need to replace or upgrade the fiber cable
itself, unlike most other utilities.
Reliability — Fiber is highly reliable. It is resistant to both water and corrosion damage. Unlike legacy
copper-based telephone and cable Internet, it can provide tenants with a better service and higher
speeds.
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The Basics Of Broadband Infrastructure
There are only a few simple and uncomplicated components that comprise basic broadband
infrastructure. They are:
• Conduit — Conduit is installed in the public right of way passing by a property. It may also be
used within a property, especially in multi-dwelling projects (e.g. between buildings).
• Handholes — Handholes are open bottom boxes installed flush with the ground or the sidewalk.
Conduit connects handholes together, and the handhole provides access to the fiber cable.
• Fiber cable — Fiber cable is routed between handholes. A smaller fiber cable (called a “drop”
cable) is typically installed between a handhole and a single-family home, townhome, or MDU.
Within an MDU (e.g., apartment building), a fiber cable may be run from a telecom closet to
each unit.
• Equipment cabinet — An ISP needs a place to put fiber switches to “light” the fiber. These small
cabinets need electric power and are usually installed near the public right of way for
convenient access to the citywide conduit/fiber network.
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Getting Started
It is now common for developers working on new build outs to have “Fiber Ready” goals in place.
Developers are even going back to already constructed phases of previous projects to address the lack
of fiber infrastructure.
In our opinion, the best time for the construction of fiber to the premises (FTTP) in a planned apartment,
townhome or single-family home projects is during or just after the electrical utility service is installed,
and before hard surface work, paving, and landscaping is started. Installing telecom infrastructure
becomes more expensive as the construction progress in a development continues.
Proper planning for fiber to the home (FTTH) infrastructure allows the developer to ensure all units in a
development are connected, manage construction timelines, mitigate damage, and prevent re-working
of construction activities. When marketing new properties broadband infrastructure is becoming very
important for home buyers. Rexburg is planning ahead for fiber so we can market ourselves as “Gigabit
Ready.”
Developers should install a system of conduit and handholes to each of the units in their development,
or partner with a FTTH provider that can do the work. For undeveloped lots, developers should install a
conduit stub to the lot lines for future use when the lot is developed. Planning for this infrastructure
early and getting it in at the right time has benefits for the developer, the FTTH provider, and the
community.
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Conduit and Handhole Installation
General Requirements
All new residential, retail, and/or business construction must conform to the current and applicable
provisions of the City of Rexburg’s Broadband Policy; and provide for connection to the City’s Fiber Optic
Network.
For developments of over 25 residential units and for all retail and/or business developments, network
design should be prepared by a qualified engineering or network design firm with experience building
fiber to the premises networks and be reviewed by the City’s Third-Party Network Administer.
A point of origin should be designed with the distribution network and if the developer is installing fiber
in the conduit system the fibers should all terminate at the point of origin. An easement at the point of
origin is to be conveyed to City intended for the placement of fiber equipment cabinets. An electrical
utility service should be designed to the point of origin site. If natural gas is being designed in the
development, a natural gas service should be designed to the point of origin site to serve a generator.
Developers should be aware that the fiber provider will bear the cost of electric/gas/other utility
services to their equipment.
In developments over 100 units the developer must design and install a shared telecom utility shelter.
Specifications for the shelter should be based on recommendations from the City’s Third-Party Network
Administer and integrated with the network design.
Codes and Ordinances: It is necessary that the construction of new or upgraded facilities conform to
current and applicable provisions of the National Electrical Code, the National Electrical Safety Code,
federal, state and local regulations as well as the City’s rules and regulations.
Easements: The developer will construct, and the City will own, and the City’s Third-Party Network
Administer will operate and maintain the facilities within the easements or rights-of-way. Fiber Optic
Network facilities are to be placed with in the “Telecommunications Trench” as shown in the City of
Rexburg’s Engineering Standards. Easements are to be kept clear of obstacles restricting access for
maintaining facilities.
Conduit System
Developers are fully responsible for the minimum required telecommunications infrastructure as
detailed in this document. Where telecommunication connections necessary to serve adjacent, but yet-
to be developed property, the City may participate if agreed upon in the Development Agreement. All
telecommunications infrastructure installed by the developer within the Utility Easement will become
property of the City of Rexburg.
Acceptance of telecommunications infrastructure facilities are based on the following criteria:
Conduit System Installation Requirements
For new development, the City of Rexburg’s Broadband Policy requires that conduit be installed within
the Communication Trench in the Utility Easement, on both sides of the street, or where otherwise
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required by the City or directed by the City Engineer. This conduit shall be placed at the lowest depth
required, and below any other utility in the trench. Handholes are to be installed in-between every two
(2) single family residences on the property line, or as shown in the current City specifications.
Conduit and other underground utilities should be placed underground at a depth of 36 inches unless
otherwise required by City or as required by the location of existing utilities.
All conduit routes should have a conductive trace-wire molded in and should be locatable using
standard equipment.
Conduit Specifications: At a minimum, the developer should install one (1) DuraLine FuturePath 4-Way
(or equivalent) conduit in all distribution segments of the network.
Prior to installing pull rope contractor should “proof” each conduit. The City’s Third-Party Network
Administer should be invited to be present during proofing. There are several common methods for
proofing conduit.
6’ of spare pull rope should be available in each conduit run. All empty conduits must be labeled and
plugged as construction takes place. Pull rope should be attached to conduit plugs and secured in
conduit.
At intersections, conduit should be labeled at each end of the conduit. Labeling should identify which
conduit the conduit is e.g., 1 of 2, and where the conduit goes at the intersection (e.g., to SW handhole,
or to Henry Street)
Handhole Installation Requirements
Handholes should be installed with the lid flush to the grade of the final landscaping. Any handhole with
the edge above grade at the completion of construction should be excavated and installed deeper. This
is necessary to prevent damage to the handholes, plows, and mowing equipment. Any handhole that is
buried will be the responsibility of the Developer to locate and raise.
Unless otherwise specified or if very steep grades are encountered, handholes should be installed to
match the angle of the grade. It is a common requirement for contractors to install level handholes even
if it requires changing the grade. The reason for this requirement is for the owner to be able to install
above ground pedestals which are not desired by the City of Rexburg. Leveling the grade at each
installation site increases cost and increases repair and restoration efforts.
Two to four inches of gravel should be installed in the bottom of each handhole to minimize mud.
Handhole Specification
For Single Family Residential the contractor should install one (1) 14”x19”x12” Duralite concrete
polymer handholes or EQUIVALENT.
For Multi-Family Residential the contractor should install one (1) 24’ X 36” x 24” T22 Duralite concrete
polymer handholes or EQUIVALENT.
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Handholes should have “FIBER OPTICS” or “COMMUNICATIONS” on the lids unless otherwise
specified by the City.
Small handholes used as pulling or distribution points for the installation of drops are common.
When smaller handholes are used they should conform to the same strength ratings and
specifications as the handholes described above.
Trench Depth and Backfill
When digging a trench, the path should be as straight, level and as rock free as possible. It is important
to avoid curves smaller than the conduit’s allowable bend radius. The bend radius should be a minimum
of 15 times the diameter of the conduit to be placed. A maximum of three 90 degree bends are allowed.
Developers shall provide the City Engineer with an as-built drawing.
Excavate the trench to a minimum of 36 inches deep and remove all rocks and large stones from the
bottom of the trench to prevent damage to the conduit. Place clean fill (free of rocks larger than those
that can be sifted through a ¾” screen) into the trench to cushion the conduit as it is installed in the
trench (refer to drawing #4 Trench detail).
When laying the conduit, there should be at least 12 inches of separation from all other utilities.
A minimum of four (4) feet of conduit should be left stubbed out of the trench at the building. Once
conduit is placed, plugs should be installed to prevent debris from getting into the conduit.
When backfilling conduit installed using an open trenching method, backfill material should be free of
any rock that may damage the conduit while backfilling. If rock is present in the backfill material the
trench should first be backfilled with small gravel until conduit is covered by 4” of gravel before
backfilling with other materials.
Idaho State Law requires that all utilities be notified at least two (2) full business days prior to
excavation, and that excavation must not be started until locates have been made or the utility has
notified the excavator that they have no facilities in the area. Before excavating in Idaho, call Idaho Dig
Line at 800.342.1585.
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