Building Assessment

PCW regularly installs wifi at a wide-range of building types.

To assess a building for installation, we have to ask the following questions:

  • Does the building have line-of-sight (LoS) to a PhillyWisper high site?
  • Could LoS change in the future? (e.g - trees growing, new buildings being built between the building and a high site)
  • Does the building have easy, safe, and simple roof/top floor access?
    • PCW only installs on flat roofs, with some exceptions.
  • Is there sufficient access to power?
  • Are there easy ways to externally mount access points?
    • eg: existing poles we could simply ziptie APs to VS bringing a non-penetrating roof mount or j-arm.
  • If maintenance is required, will we be able to return in the future?

For example, this is an ideal install site.

The roof at NKCDC
The roof at NKCDC
  • The roof is clear of debris and is flat, with plenty of space for non-penetrating roof mounts.
  • The building is taller than almost every other building in the area, giving it free LoS to both PhillyWisper high sites and other potential PtP/PtMP sites.
  • There is power on the roof, in this case covered GFCIs.