Office Fit Out Cable Management Guide
CABLE IT. HIDE IT. POWER IT, FROM THE COMMS ROOM TO THE KEYBOARD.
Everything you need for an office fit out, from ceiling mesh tray to desk power. What to use, what to think about, how to install it, plus a quick cheat sheet.
CABLE IT. HIDE IT. POWER IT, FROM THE COMMS ROOM TO THE KEYBOARD.
Every office fit out has the same challenge. You need to get power and data from the comms room to every desk, cleanly and safely, and in a way that still works when the floor plan changes in two years.
This guide takes you through the fit out from the ceiling down. It covers the products that do the job, what to think about before you order, and how to get the most out of each one. If you're short on time, jump straight to the cheat sheet.
The products in an office fit out
- Cable mesh tray: the backbone in the ceiling
- Data cabinets and accessories: where the network starts
- Service columns: ceiling-to-floor drops in open plan areas
- Floor boxes: power and data where there are no walls
- Skirting duct: perimeter power and data
- Under desk cable baskets: getting cables off the floor
- Line8 power track: flexible, plug-in power at the desk
Before you start: the big picture
- Map the route first. Trace the path from the comms room to the ceiling, then down to the floor, walls and desks. Every product in this guide is one link in that chain.
- Keep power and data apart. Plan separate channels, compartments or dividers the whole way through. Check segregation requirements under AS/NZS 3000 and AS/CA S009.
- Allow for growth. Offices change. Size tray, duct and cabinets with spare capacity so you're not ripping things out at the next reshuffle.
- Know your floor. Concrete slab, raised access floor or timber changes which floor boxes and service columns will work.
- Agree the finish early. Skirting duct colour, floor box lid finish and service column colour are visible to the client. Lock them in before ordering.
1. Cable mesh tray: the ceiling backbone
Pemsa Rejiband wire mesh tray carries the main cable runs through the ceiling void, from the comms room out across the floor plate.
What to think about
- Cable volume now and later. Choose a width and depth that leaves room for future cables.
- Separate tray runs, or a divider, for power and data.
- Ceiling void height and clashes with ducts, sprinklers and lighting.
- Support spacing and fixing method to suit the tray size and load.
How to use it
- Cut and form bends, tees and drops on site, so there's no need to order fittings for every change of direction.
- Use the Pemsa accessories range for joining, suspending and wall mounting.
- Bond and earth the tray run as required.
- Leave access to the tray. Future cables will need to go in from above or the side.
2. Data cabinets and accessories: where the network lives
Data cabinets house patch panels, switches and network gear. Small tenancies might need a wall-mounted cabinet. Larger floors usually need a floor-standing rack.
What to think about
- Rack units (RU). Count every panel, switch and shelf, then add spare space for growth.
- Depth, which needs to suit the deepest equipment going in.
- Ventilation and heat, including fans, vented doors and airflow in the room.
- Power, meaning PDUs and how many outlets the equipment needs.
- Security, meaning lockable doors and side panels.
How to use it
- Fit horizontal cable managers between patch panels and switches to keep patching neat.
- Bring cables in from the tray above via the top entry.
- Use shelves for non-rack-mount gear such as modems and NBN boxes.
- Label everything. The next tech will thank you.
3. Service columns: open plan drops
Service columns (service poles) bring power and data down from the ceiling to desk clusters in the middle of the floor, where there are no walls and no floor boxes.
What to think about
- Floor-to-ceiling height. Measure every location, because ceiling heights vary.
- The number of outlets and whether you need separate power and data channels.
- Colour and finish to match the fit out.
- Placement close to desk clusters, clear of walkways.
How to use it
- Feed cables from the ceiling tray straight into the column.
- Cut to height on site and fix securely at the top and bottom.
- Pair with under desk baskets or Line8 to carry power across the desks.
4. Floor boxes: power and data in the floor
Floor outlet boxes give flush power and data in open plan areas, meeting rooms and reception, with no trip hazards and no leads running across the carpet.
What to think about
- Floor type, whether concrete slab, raised access floor or screed, and the depth available.
- How many power and data outlets each box needs.
- The lid finish, such as brass, stainless or carpet/tile insert, to suit the flooring.
- Traffic, meaning how much foot traffic and load the lid will take.
- Set-out, meaning where the desks and meeting tables will actually sit.
How to use it
- Set boxes out against the furniture plan, not a grid on paper.
- Keep power and data in separate compartments.
- Protect the box during flooring works, and set the lid flush with the finished floor level.
- Use floor and table grommets to tidy the cable exit up to the desk.
5. Skirting duct: perimeter power and data
Aluminium and PVC skirting duct runs around the walls, replacing standard skirting and giving you power and data outlets anywhere along the perimeter.
What to think about
- 2 or 3 channels. Use at least one for power and one for data, plus a spare if you can.
- Size, which needs to suit the cable volume and the outlets you're mounting.
- Aluminium or PVC. Aluminium is the premium, durable finish, and PVC suits budget-driven jobs.
- Colour. Standard finishes are available, and custom colours can be ordered to match the fit out.
- Corners, end caps and joiners. Count every internal corner, external corner and end.
How to use it
- Fix the base to the wall, lay the cables in their channels, then clip the covers on.
- Mount GPOs and data outlets directly in the duct at desk positions.
- Use proper corners and end caps for a finished look. Mitring by eye rarely looks right.
- Covers unclip for easy moves, adds and changes later.
6. Under desk cable baskets: getting cables off the floor
Under desk cable baskets fix under the desk to carry power leads, data cables, power boards and adaptors, keeping everything off the floor and away from feet and cleaners.
What to think about
- Desk width and frame type, to make sure the basket length and fixing suit the desk.
- Continuous runs along bench desking versus one basket per desk.
- How cables get up from the floor box, service column or skirting to the basket.
How to use it
- Fix to the desk frame or underside before the desk is fully loaded.
- Sit power boards, Line8 track or soft wiring in the basket.
- Leave slack for sit-stand desks so cables don't pull tight when the desk rises.
7. Line8 power track: flexible desk power
Line8 modular power track gives continuous power along a desk, bench or wall. Users plug adaptors in wherever they need them, so there are no fixed outlet positions.
What to think about
- Track length for each desk, bench or wall run.
- Surface mount or custom recessed into joinery.
- How many adaptors each user needs, such as GPO or USB.
- The feed point, meaning where the track connects to the power supply.
How to use it
- Mount on or under the desk, or recess into the joinery for a clean finish.
- Adaptors twist in and move anywhere along the track, which is ideal for hot desking and changing layouts.
- Combine with under desk baskets to hide the feed cabling.
Quick cheat sheet: office fit out
No time? Here's the whole job on one page.
| Product | Where it goes | Use it when | Key tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mesh tray | Ceiling void | Running main cable routes across the floor | Separate power and data, and size it with room to grow |
| Data cabinet | Comms room or wall | Housing patch panels, switches and network gear | Count RU, add spare space, and allow for ventilation |
| Service column | Ceiling to floor, open plan | Desks are in the middle of the room with no floor boxes | Measure ceiling height at every location |
| Floor box | In the floor | You need flush power and data in open areas and meeting rooms | Check floor depth, and set out against the furniture plan |
| Skirting duct | Perimeter walls | Desks run along walls | Use 2 or 3 channels, and count every corner and end cap |
| Under desk basket | Under the desk | Cables and power boards would otherwise sit on the floor | Leave slack for sit-stand desks |
| Line8 power track | On, under or in the desk | Layouts change or desks are shared | Adaptors move anywhere along the track |
Fit out checklist
- ☐ Route mapped from the comms room to the ceiling, floor, walls and desks
- ☐ Power and data separated the whole way
- ☐ Spare capacity in tray, duct and cabinets
- ☐ Floor type and depth confirmed for floor boxes
- ☐ Ceiling heights measured for service columns
- ☐ Finishes and colours signed off by the client
- ☐ Corners, end caps, joiners and fixings counted
- ☐ Everything labelled
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