Pre-Construction Considerations

The best time to deal with an EMF problem in a building is before construction or remodeling is completed. The cost savings can be significant, especially in terms of downtime for the tenants. When planning, keep these tips in mind:

• Identify the major current-carrying devices in the space under evaluation, including transformer vaults, electric service panels, and conduit if possible. These devices will most likely be where any "hot spots" will occur.
• If any office space is immediately adjacent to high-current carrying devices, discuss where in the space computer equipment may be placed and what type of equipment may be used in the new configuration. (Telecommunications and graphics companies are red flags to seriously evaluate potential EMF problems.)
• When space is less of a commodity, potentially affected areas can be designated as storage rooms or low tech areas where computers are not operated. If the potentially affected area is in a high demand location, you will want to consider shielding the space or the source to preserve the value and utility of the space.
• Although it may seem like a minor detail, pay attention to the type of furniture being installed. Built-in or customized desks may be difficult to reconfigure if a problem arises. Sometimes moving a computer monitor to the far side of an office may be sufficient to reduce any visible monitor interference, but all too often, the problem is discovered after the furniture has been permanently installed.
• It may be possible to test equipment within the space, but keep in mind that the true levels of fields will only be present when the power system is under full load. If you have an opportunity to evaluate the space under full load, such as before a remodel has commenced, you may opt to have the space surveyed.
• If there are going to be any changes whatsoever to the building's power system, it is strongly advisable to have a field simulation study performed.
• Wiring compaction or reconfiguration, shielding of bus bars and so forth are much less expensive than later having to shield a large office space when it turns out to be unusable for computer operations.