Summary
As WLANs continue to increase in popularity and WLAN applications continue to emerge in every type of business, engineers are deploying APs in more types of locations than ever before. But do not be tempted to force fit a device designed for one environment (perhaps a climate-controlled office) into another, perhaps hostile, type of environment (outdoors, for example). To ensure a properly operating WLAN, you must consider and design around site-specific requirements.
WLAN survey and installation teams need to be aware of all regulations that apply to a site, the various applications planned for the WLAN, and the full customer expectations. Among other things, these factors influence which installation techniques will be used. Other site-specific factors that survey and installation engineers need to consider are outdoor versus indoor installation, plenum ratings, vibration, and hazardous areas.