UL 2416 OUTLINE

Description / Abstract: This Outline of Investigation covers requirements for Audio/Video, Information and Communication Technology Equipment Cabinet, Enclosure and Rack Systems. For the purpose of this Outline, cabinet, enclosure and rack systems are all referred to as "enclosure systems".

Enclosure systems are not complete equipment but include components and sub-assemblies that are intended to power, protect, heat, cool or otherwise support information technology (IT), telecommunications, audio/video (A/V) and similar equipment that will be installed at a later time. They usually include mounting hardware, shelves or space for the installation of the additional equipment. These enclosure systems are intended to be used by manufacturers in the construction of complete A/V, IT and communications equipment, or by service providers and other qualified installers for the installation of network infrastructure equipment or communications and multi-media systems equipment.

This Outline of Investigation assumes that the final installation of equipment into the enclosure system will be performed by qualified service personnel in accordance with the applicable installation instructions, installation practices and national installation codes. As appropriate, this equipment should be installed in accordance with ANSI/NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC), and/or the applicable sections of ANSI/IEEE C2, National Electrical Safety Code (NESC). Equipment intended for installation in information technology equipment (computer) rooms should be installed in accordance with NFPA 75, Standard for the Protection of Information Technology Equipment.

Enclosure systems by their very nature are intended to house equipment that is not specified by the enclosure system manufacturer and whose construction and characteristics are largely unknown. As such, in some cases these requirements include additional or supplementary safeguards beyond those normally required by general equipment standards where the final configuration is well defined and risks can be reduced to an acceptable level by a thorough evaluation of the design and testing.

These requirements do not cover enclosures for modular data centers. Equipment of this type shall be investigated under the requirements in the Outline of Investigation for Modular Data Centers, UL 2755.

These requirements do not cover exhaust chimneys and other air management systems that connect to environmental air systems in buildings. Equipment of this type shall be investigated under the requirements in Standard for Heating and Cooling Equipment, UL 1995, and Outline of Investigation for Drop Out Ceilings Installed Beneath Sprinklers, UL 723S.

Note: Environmental air systems include ducts specifically designed for environmental air and other spaces used for environmental air (plenums) that may not be specifically fabricated for environmental air-handling purposes but are used for air-handling purposes as a plenum. The space over a hung ceiling used for environmental air-handling purposes is an example of this type of other space.

It is the responsibility of the Authority Having Jurisdiction over the final installation to determine if the final configuration meets the necessary criteria for installation and use.