What Is A BICSI OSP-Designer
An OSP-Designer is responsible for many factors involved with ICT projects including the design, supervision of the design and inspection of the interbuilding cabling and infrastructure.
The OSP Designer plans pathways and spaces, entrance facilities, terminations, testing; determines media type; creates bonding and grounding design plans; investigates, coordinates and determines rights-of-way; develops system documentation requirements; applies applicable codes and standards within the design; and verifies the implementation and/or the installation of the design plan.
ICT encompasses the design, management, integration and installation of pathways, spaces, optical fiber- and copper-based distribution systems, wireless-based systems and infrastructure that supports the transportation of information and associated signaling between and among communications and information gathering devices.
Through courses, conferences, publications and professional credentialing programs, BICSI staff and volunteers assist ICT professionals in delivering critical products and services and offer opportunities for continual improvement and enhanced professional stature.
BICSI established its credential programs to provide a level of assurance to the industry and to consumers that an individual has knowledge in a designated area of ICT design or installation. Their professional designations are valued globally and are recognized throughout the ICT industry.
BICSI began work on the OSP Program in the mid-nineties in response to confusion over how to properly design OSP, and the increased need for uniformity as well as consistency of design throughout the industry. Training had previously been left to the manufacturers of specific products with little consideration for complete infrastructure and “system” design.
This often resulted in poor performance, reduced throughput, component failure of installed systems and many safety violations—some even resulting in death and damage or destruction of property. Customers needed the assurance that their projects were designed by someone qualified to do so.
In 1999, BICSI released the first edition Customer-Owned Outside Plant (CO-OSP) Design Reference Manual. The OSP Specialty Program followed in 2001, recognizing individuals with extensive knowledge and experience in designing new and integrating existing OSP systems to meet codes, standards and performance requirements.
Today many organizations require the BICSI OSP credential on outside plant projects for designers, and on larger projects for project managers and quality inspectors.
