09-11

SECTION 28 05 26
GROUNDING AND BONDING FOR ELECTRONIC SAFETY AND SECURITY

SPEC WRITER NOTE: Delete // ________ // if

not applicable to project. Also delete any
other item or paragraph not applicable in
the section and renumber the paragraphs.
Insert additional provisions as required
for this project.

PART 1 - GENERAL
1.1 DESCRIPTION
A. This section specifies the finishing, installation, connection, testing
and certification of the grounding and bonding required for a fully
functional Electronic Safety and Security (ESS) system.
B. “Grounding electrode system” refers to all electrodes required by NEC,
as well as including made, supplementary, grounding electrodes.
C. The terms “connect” and “bond” are used interchangeably in this
specification and have the same meaning
1.2 RELATED WORK
SPECS WRITER NOTE: Delete any item or
paragraph not applicable in the section.
A. Section 01 00 00 - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS. For General Requirements.
B. Section 26 41 00 - FACILITY LIGHTNING PROTECTION. Requirements for a
lightning protection system.
C. Section 28 05 00 - REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRONIC SAFETY AND SECURITY
INSTALLATIONS. For general electrical requirements, quality assurance,
coordination, and project conditions that are common to more than one
section in Division 28.
D. Section 28 05 13 - CONDUCTORS AND CABLES FOR ELECTRONIC SAFETY AND
SECURITY. Requirements for low voltage power and lighting wiring.
E. Section 28 08 00 - COMMISIONING OF ELECTRONIC SAFETY AND SECURITY
SYSTEMS. Requirements for commissioning.
1.3 SUBMITTALS
A. Submit in accordance with Section 28 05 00, COMMON WORK RESULTS FOR
ELECTRONIC SAFETY AND SECURITY.
B. Shop Drawings:
1. Clearly present enough information to determine compliance with
drawings and specifications.
2. Include the location of system grounding electrode connections and
the routing of aboveground and underground grounding electrode
conductors.

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C. Test Reports: Provide certified test reports of ground resistance.

D. Certifications: Two weeks prior to final inspection, submit four copies
of the following to the //Resident Engineer// //COTR//:
1. Certification that the materials and installation are in accordance
with the drawings and specifications.
2. Certification by the contractor that the complete installation has
been properly installed and tested.
1.4 APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS
A. Publications listed below (including amendments, addenda, revisions,
supplements, and errata) form a part of this specification to the extent
referenced. Publications are referenced in the text by designation only.
B. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM):
B1-07...................Standard Specification for Hard-Drawn Copper
Wire
B3-07...................Standard Specification for Soft or Annealed
Copper Wire
B8-04...................Standard Specification for Concentric-Lay-
Stranded Copper Conductors, Hard, Medium-Hard,
or Soft
C. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE):
81-1983.................IEEE Guide for Measuring Earth Resistivity,
Ground Impedance, and Earth Surface Potentials
of a Ground System
C2-07...................National Electrical Safety Code
D. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):
70-11...................National Electrical Code (NEC)
99-2005.................Health Care Facilities
E. Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL):
44-05 ..................Thermoset-Insulated Wires and Cables
83-08 ..................Thermoplastic-Insulated Wires and Cables
467-07 .................Grounding and Bonding Equipment
486A-486B-03 ...........Wire Connectors
PART 2 - PRODUCTS
2.1 GROUNDING AND BONDING CONDUCTORS
A. Equipment grounding conductors shall be UL 83 insulated stranded copper,
except that sizes 6 mm² (10 AWG) and smaller shall be solid copper.
Insulation color shall be continuous green for all equipment grounding

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conductors, except that wire sizes 25 mm² (4 AWG) and larger shall be
permitted to be identified per NEC.
B. Bonding conductors shall be ASTM B8 bare stranded copper, except that
sizes 6 mm² (10 AWG) and smaller shall be ASTM B1 solid bare copper
wire.
2.2 GROUND RODS
A. Copper clad steel, 19 mm (3/4-inch) diameter by 3000 mm (10 feet) long,
conforming to UL 467.
B. Quantity of rods shall be as required to obtain the specified ground
resistance.
2.3 SPLICES AND TERMINATION COMPONENTS
A. Components shall meet or exceed UL 467 and be clearly marked with the
manufacturer, catalog number, and permitted conductor size(s).2.4 ground
connections
B. Listed and labeled by an NRTL acceptable to authorities having
jurisdiction for applications in which used and for specific types,
sizes, and combinations of conductors and other items connected.
C. Below Grade: Exothermic-welded type connectors.
D. Above Grade:
1. Bonding Jumpers: Compression-type connectors, using zinc-plated
fasteners and external tooth lockwashers.
2. Connection to Building Steel: Exothermic-welded type connectors.
3. Ground Busbars: Two-hole compression type lugs, using tin-plated
copper or copper alloy bolts and nuts.
4. Rack and Cabinet Ground Bars: One-hole compression-type lugs, using
zinc-plated or copper alloy fasteners.
5. Bolted Connectors for Conductors and Pipes: Copper or copper alloy,
pressure type with at least two bolts.
a) Pipe Connectors: Clamp type, sized for pipe.
6. Welded Connectors: Exothermic-welding kits of types recommended by
kit manufacturer for materials being joined and installation
conditions.
2.4 EQUIPMENT RACK AND CABINET GROUND BARS
A. Provide solid copper ground bars designed for mounting on the framework
of open or cabinet-enclosed equipment racks with minimum dimensions of 4
mm thick by 19 mm wide (3/8 inch x ¾ inch).

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2.5 GROUND TERMINAL BLOCKS

A. At any equipment mounting location (e.g., backboards and hinged cover
enclosures) where rack-type ground bars cannot be mounted, provide screw
lug-type terminal blocks.
SPEC WRITER NOTE: Include Standard Detail
on drawings. Edit detail to suit project
requirements.
2.6 SPLICE CASE GROUND ACCESSORIES
A. Splice case grounding and bonding accessories shall be supplied by the
splice case manufacturer when available. Otherwise, use 16 mm² (6 AWG)
insulated ground wire with shield bonding connectors.
2.7 COMPUTER ROOM GROUND
A. Provide 50mm2 (1/0 AWG) bare copper grounding conductors bolted at mesh
intersections to form an equipotential grounding grid. The equipotential
grounding grid shall form a 600mm (24 inch) mesh pattern. The grid shall
be bonded to each of the access floor pedestals.
2.8 SECURITY CONTROL ROOM GROUND
A. Provide 50mm2 (1/0 AWG) stranded copper grounding conductor(s) color
coded with a green jacket, bolted at the Room’s Communications System
Grounding Electrode Cooper Plate and circulate to each equipment rack
ground buss bar through the wire management system. Connect each
equipment rack, wire management system’s cable tray, ladder, etc. to the
circulating ground wire with a minimum 25mm2 (4AWG) stranded Cooper
Wire, color coded with a green jacket.
1. Connect each equipment rack ground buss bar to the circulating ground
wire a indicated in 2.9.A, and
2. Connect each additional room item to the circulating ground wire as
indicated in 2.9.A.

PART 3 - EXECUTION
3.1 GENERAL
A. Ground in accordance with the NEC, as shown on drawings, and as
specified herein.
B. System Grounding:
1. Secondary service neutrals: Ground at the supply side of the
secondary disconnecting means and at the related transformers.
2. Separately derived systems (transformers downstream from the service
entrance): Ground the secondary neutral.

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SPEC WRITER NOTE: Remove the paragraph

below if not required for the project.
C. Equipment Grounding: Metallic structures, including ductwork and
building steel, enclosures, raceways, junction boxes, outlet boxes,
cabinets, machine frames, and other conductive items in close proximity
with electrical circuits, shall be bonded and grounded.
SPEC WRITER NOTE: If appropriate for
project, include details involving
grounding for patient equipment and areas
on plans.
3.2 INACCESSIBLE GROUNDING CONNECTIONS
A. Make grounding connections, which are buried or otherwise normally
inaccessible (except connections for which periodic testing access is
required) by exothermic weld.
3.3 CORROSION INHIBITORS
A. When making ground and ground bonding connections, apply a corrosion
inhibitor to all contact surfaces. Use corrosion inhibitor appropriate
for protecting a connection between the metals used.
3.4 CONDUCTIVE PIPING
A. Bond all conductive piping systems, interior and exterior, to the
building to the grounding electrode system. Bonding connections shall be
made as close as practical to the equipment ground bus.
3.5 COMPUTER ROOM/SECURITY EQUIPMENT ROOM GROUNDING
A. Conduit: Ground and bond metallic conduit systems as follows:
1. Ground metallic service conduit and any pipes entering or being
routed within the computer room at each end using 16 mm² (6AWG)
bonding jumpers.
2. Bond at all intermediate metallic enclosures and across all joints
using 16 mm² (6 AWG) bonding jumpers.
3.6 WIREWAY GROUNDING
A. Ground and Bond Metallic Wireway Systems as follows:
1. Bond the metallic structures of wireway to provide 100 percent
electrical continuity throughout the wireway system by connecting a
16 mm² (6 AWG) bonding jumper at all intermediate metallic enclosures
and across all section junctions.
2. Install insulated 16 mm² (6 AWG) bonding jumpers between the wireway
system bonded as required in paragraph 1 above, and the closest
building ground at each end and approximately every 16 meters (50
feet).

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3. Use insulated 16 mm² (6 AWG) bonding jumpers to ground or bond

metallic wireway at each end at all intermediate metallic enclosures
and cross all section junctions.
4. Use insulated 16 mm² (6 AWG) bonding jumpers to ground cable tray to
column-mounted building ground plates (pads) at each end and
approximately every 15 meters.
3.7 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM
A. Bond the lightning protection system to earth ground externally to the
building. Under no condition shall the electrical system’s third of
fourth ground electrode system, or the telecommunications system
circulating ground system be connected to the lightning protection
system. The Facility’s structural steel may be used to connected the
lightning protection system at the direction of the Resident Engineer
certified by an independent certified grounding contractor.
3.8 EXTERIOR LIGHT/CAMERA POLES
A. Provide 20 ft [6.1 M] of No. 4 bare copper coiled at bottom of pole base
excavation prior to pour, plus additional unspliced length in and above
foundation as required to reach pole ground stud.
3.9 GROUND RESISTANCE
A. Grounding system resistance to ground shall not exceed 5 ohms. Make any
modifications or additions to the grounding electrode system necessary
for compliance without additional cost to the Government. Final tests
shall ensure that this requirement is met.
B. Resistance of the grounding electrode system shall be measured using a
four-terminal fall-of-potential method as defined in IEEE 81. Ground
resistance measurements shall be made before the electrical distribution
system is energized and shall be made in normally dry conditions not
fewer than 48 hours after the last rainfall. Resistance measurements of
separate grounding electrode systems shall be made before the systems
are bonded together below grade. The combined resistance of separate
systems may be used to meet the required resistance, but the specified
number of electrodes must still be provided.
C. Services at power company interface points shall comply with the power
company ground resistance requirements.
D. Below-grade connections shall be visually inspected by the //Resident
Engineer// //COTR// prior to backfilling. The contractor shall notify
the //Resident Engineer// //COTR// 24 hours before the connections are
ready for inspection.

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3.10 GROUND ROD INSTALLATION

A. Drive each rod vertically in the earth, not less than 3000 mm (10 feet)
in depth.
B. Where permanently concealed ground connections are required, make the
connections by the exothermic process to form solid metal joints. Make
accessible ground connections with mechanical pressure type ground
connectors.
C. Where rock prevents the driving of vertical ground rods, install angled
ground rods or grounding electrodes in horizontal trenches to achieve
the specified resistance.
//3.11 GROUNDING FOR RF/EMI CONTROL
A. Install bonding jumpers to bond all conduit, cable trays, sleeves and
equipment for low voltage signaling and data communications circuits.
Bonding jumpers shall consist of 100 mm (4 inches) wide copper strip or
two 6 mm² (10 AWG) copper conductors spaced minimum 100 mm (4 inches)
apart. Use 16 mm² (6 AWG) copper where exposed and subject to damage.
B. Comply with the following when shielded cable is used for data circuits.
1. Shields shall be continuous throughout each circuit.
2. Connect shield drain wires together at each circuit connection point
and insulate from ground. Do not ground the shield.
3. Do not connect shields from different circuits together.
4. Shield shall be connected at one end only. Connect shield to signal
reference at the origin of the circuit. Consult with equipment
manufacturer to determine signal reference.//
3.12 LABELING
A. Comply with requirements in Division 26 Section "ELECTRICAL
IDENTIFICATION" Article for instruction signs. The label or its text
shall be green.
B. Install labels at the telecommunications bonding conductor and grounding
equalizer //and at the grounding electrode conductor where exposed//.
1. Label Text: "If this connector or cable is loose or if it must be
removed for any reason, notify the facility manager."
3.13 FIELD QUALITY CONTROL
A. Perform tests and inspections.
B. Tests and Inspections:
1. After installing grounding system but before permanent electrical
circuits have been energized, test for compliance with requirements.

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2. Inspect physical and mechanical condition. Verify tightness of

accessible, bolted, electrical connections with a calibrated torque
wrench according to manufacturer's written instructions.
3. Test completed grounding system at each location where a maximum
ground-resistance level is specified, at service disconnect enclosure
grounding terminal at individual ground rods. Make tests at ground
rods before any conductors are connected.
a. Measure ground resistance no fewer than two full days after last
trace of precipitation and without soil being moistened by any
means other than natural drainage or seepage and without chemical
treatment or other artificial means of reducing natural ground
resistance.
b. Perform tests by fall-of-potential method according to IEEE 81.
C. Grounding system will be considered defective if it does not pass tests
and inspections.
D. Prepare test and inspection reports.
E. Report measured ground resistances that exceed the following values:
1. Power Distribution Units or Panel boards Serving Electronic
Equipment: 3 ohm(s).
2. Manhole Grounds: 10 ohms.
F. Excessive Ground Resistance: If resistance to ground exceeds specified
values, notify Architect promptly and include recommendations to reduce
ground resistance.
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