Commercial Low Voltage Pre-Construction Checklist
What to Plan Before the Walls and Ceilings Close
Low-voltage systems are much easier to install, coordinate, and expand when they are addressed early in the construction process.
Before Walls and Ceilings Close:
☐ Data-drop locations finalized
☐ MDF and IDF locations confirmed
☐ Cat6 or Cat6A requirements determined
☐ Fiber backbone requirements established
☐ Security camera locations approved
☐ Access-control doors identified
☐ Intercom and entry-system locations identified
☐ Conference-room and commercial AV requirements planned
☐ Conduit and cable pathways coordinated
☐ Cable tray requirements established
☐ Power requirements coordinated with the electrical contractor
☐ Network-rack locations confirmed
☐ Testing, labeling, and documentation requirements established
Get the printable checklist.
Keep a copy available during pre-construction meetings and project reviews.
Finalize Data-Drop Locations
Determine where wired network connections will be needed throughout the building before walls are closed.
This may include:
- Offices and workstations
- Reception areas
- Conference rooms
- Point-of-sale locations
- Printers and shared equipment
- Wireless access points
- Security equipment
- Building technology
- Other network-connected devices
Planning these locations early allows cabling and pathways to be installed while the building is accessible and reduces the need for changes after finishes are installed.
Where will employees, equipment, and connected systems require network access?
Confirm MDF and IDF Locations
Identify the building’s Main Distribution Frame (MDF) and any required Intermediate Distribution Frames (IDFs).
These spaces become central connection points for structured cabling and network infrastructure.
During pre-construction, teams should consider the location of network rooms, equipment space, cable pathways, and how horizontal cabling will reach different areas of the building.
For larger buildings, additional IDFs may be needed to properly serve different floors or areas.
Where will the building’s primary and secondary network equipment be located?
Determine Cat6 or Cat6A Requirement
The structured cabling specification should be established before installation begins.
Depending on the project’s network requirements, this may include Cat6, Cat6A, or a combination of cabling types.
The decision can affect cable pathways, equipment requirements, installation planning, and future network capabilities.
This should be determined from the project’s technology requirements rather than after cabling has already been installed.
What network performance and infrastructure requirements does the project need to support?
Establish Fiber Optic Backbone Requirements
Commercial buildings may require fiber optic cabling to connect network rooms, floors, buildings, or other major infrastructure points.
During pre-construction, determine:
- Where fiber connections will originate and terminate
- Which MDFs and IDFs require fiber
- Required pathways
- Equipment-room locations
- Future expansion requirements
Planning the fiber backbone alongside the structured cabling infrastructure can prevent difficult routing problems later in construction.
Which areas of the project need high-capacity connections between network locations?
Approve Security Camera Locations
Security cameras shouldn’t be treated as an afterthought once construction is nearly complete.
Camera locations should be considered while reviewing the building layout so cabling can be routed to the appropriate locations.
Potential coverage areas may include:
- Entrances and exits
- Parking areas
- Loading areas
- Hallways
- Lobbies
- Common areas
- Restricted areas
- Exterior building areas
Teams should also consider camera placement, mounting locations, and infrastructure requirements before finishes are installed.
Which areas need surveillance coverage, and where will each camera be mounted?
Identify Access-Control Doors
Any doors that will use electronic access control should be identified during construction planning.
That can include:
- Main entrances
- Employee entrances
- Restricted rooms
- Equipment rooms
- Administrative areas
- Gates or other controlled access points
Access-control systems can involve several building components, making early coordination especially important.
The low-voltage contractor may need to coordinate with the general contractor, electrical contractor, and door/hardware teams so the necessary infrastructure is available at each controlled opening.
Which doors will require controlled access?
Identify Intercom and Entry-System Locations
Determine whether the facility will require intercoms, visitor-entry systems or other communication points.
Potential locations include:
- Main entrances
- Reception areas
- Security desks
- Gates
- Loading areas
- Restricted entrances
Identifying these locations before walls close allows the appropriate cabling and infrastructure to be installed during rough-in.
Where will visitors, employees, or security personnel need two-way communication or controlled entry?
Plan Conference-Room and Commercial AV
Conference rooms and collaborative spaces frequently require more infrastructure than teams anticipate.
Planning may need to account for:
- Displays
- Projectors
- Video conferencing
- Cameras
- Microphones
- Speakers
- Control systems
- Network connectivity
- Equipment locations
Even if AV equipment will not be installed until later, the necessary cabling and pathways should be considered during construction.
What technology will each conference, training, or presentation space eventually need?
Coordinate Conduit and Cable Pathways
Low-voltage cabling needs a planned route through the building.
Before walls and ceilings close, contractors should coordinate pathways for structured cabling, fiber, security, access control, AV, and telecommunications infrastructure.
This may involve:
- Conduit
- Sleeves
- Penetrations
- Cable trays
- Above-ceiling pathways
- Vertical pathways between floors
- Routes into network and equipment rooms
This is one of the areas where trade coordination becomes particularly important.
How will low-voltage cabling get from the network/equipment rooms to every required endpoint?
Establish Cable Tray Requirements
For projects using cable trays, determine where trays are required and how low-voltage cabling will travel through the building.
Cable tray planning should be coordinated with other building systems so that space is available and routes aren’t obstructed by other trades.
Does the project require dedicated cable trays, and have their routes been coordinated with the construction team?
Coordinate Power Requirements
Low-voltage systems still depend on powered equipment.
Network racks, telecommunications equipment, security systems, access-control components, AV equipment, and other technology may require electrical power at specific locations.
This is where coordination between the low-voltage contractor and electrical contractor becomes particularly important.
Power requirements should be identified early enough for the electrical team to incorporate them into its work.
Has power been coordinated for all network, security, access-control, telecommunications, and AV equipment?
Confirm Network-Rack Locations
Determine where network racks and associated equipment will be installed.
Consider:
- Available space
- Cable entry
- Equipment requirements
- Power
- Accessibility
- MDF/IDF layout
- Future expansion
Waiting until late in construction to determine where racks will go can create unnecessary problems with cable routing and equipment placement.
Is adequate space reserved for the network infrastructure serving the building?
Establish Testing, Labeling and Documentation Requirements
Don’t wait until project closeout to decide what documentation will be required.
The construction team should establish expectations for testing, cable identification, labeling, and project documentation during planning.
Requirements may vary by project, so they should be included in the project scope and specifications where applicable.
What testing and documentation will the GC, owner, or IT team expect at project turnover?
What Low Voltage Needs to Be Planned Before Drywall?
Before drywall and finished ceilings are installed, commercial projects should finalize data-drop locations, network-room locations, structured cabling requirements, fiber pathways, security cameras, access-control doors, intercoms, AV infrastructure, conduit and cable pathways, cable trays, equipment power requirements, network racks, and testing/documentation expectations.
Planning these systems before walls close allows the low-voltage contractor to coordinate infrastructure with the general contractor, electrical contractor, and other trades while pathways remain accessible.
Why Early Low Voltage Planning Matters
Low-voltage infrastructure touches multiple areas of a commercial building. Once drywall, ceilings, and finishes are installed, adding or relocating infrastructure can become considerably more complicated.
Getting the low-voltage contractor involved during pre-construction or early construction helps the project team identify infrastructure needs, coordinate pathways, and resolve conflicts before they become field problems.
When Should a Low Voltage Contractor Get Involved?
Ideally, the low-voltage contractor should be involved before rough-in decisions are finalized and before walls and ceilings are closed.
Early involvement allows the contractor to review project plans and specifications, identify low-voltage requirements, and coordinate infrastructure with the general contractor, electrical contractor, and other trades.
This is particularly important on projects involving multiple systems such as structured cabling, fiber, security cameras, access control, intercoms, telecommunications, and commercial AV.
Why General Contractors Choose JR Electronics
30+ Years of Experience
JR Electronics is a family-owned company that began in 1994 and has served Greater Tampa Bay and the Southeast for more than 30 years.
Multiple Low Voltage Systems
Structured cabling, fiber, security, surveillance, access control, intercoms, telecommunications and commercial AV give contractors access to multiple capabilities through one company.
Integrated Technology Expertise
JR Electronics doesn’t treat every technology as an isolated system. Its existing service offerings already connect structured cabling with security, communications, access control and AV infrastructure.
Tampa Bay Experience
JR Electronics serves commercial clients throughout Tampa Bay and surrounding communities.
Licensed in Florida
Our Florida State License is: ES12000774
Support Beyond Installation
JR Electronics’ existing services include testing, configuration, training, and/or ongoing support depending on the system installed.
Have an Upcoming Commercial Project?
JR Electronics works with general contractors, electrical contractors, and commercial construction teams throughout Tampa Bay to plan and install low-voltage infrastructure for new construction, tenant improvements, renovations, and facility expansions.
Have a project to bid? Send our team your plans, specifications, project location, scope, bid due date, and anticipated construction schedule to discuss the low-voltage requirements.