Surface mounted raceway is an acceptable alternative. If only communications cable is to be installed, a high quality plastic raceway may be used. The cover shall be either hinged or completely removable. If split raceway is used so that power can be provided as well, the power wiring shall be installed in the lower half of the raceway. This is so that the equipment power cables will not drape on top of the communications cables.
Similar considerations apply to raceway built in to moveable partition walls.
Raceway shall be colored or painted to match the wall color. In some cases it will be practical to install conduit only through partition walls and then use false ceiling space to run cables to vertical conduit leading to outlet locations. Inaccessible ceiling areas, such as lock-in type ceiling tiles, drywall or plaster, shall not be used as distribution pathways. Only areas with ceiling tiles of the removable or lay-in type and placed at a maximum height of 11' above the floor may be used. The design shall provide a suitable means and method for supporting cables and wires crossing the false ceiling space.