PVC Pipe

Status
Not open for further replies.

David Butler

New member
what is wrong with installing PVC inside a wall for low voltage cable instead of EMT? Is it OK to use PVC as a sleeve with fire stop instead of EMT. These questions are for hospital installation.
 

roger

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Fl
Occupation
Retired Electrician
Are you asking about Patient Care Areas?

Roger
 

chris kennedy

Senior Member
Location
Miami Fla.
Occupation
60 yr old tool twisting electrician
roger said:
Are you asking about Patient Care Areas?

Roger
How would that make a difference when the OP seems to be dealing with VD FA ect?

Sounds like a fire stop question.
 

Stallzer

Member
Location
MN
You would have to check with your local Authority having jurisdiction on the PVC codes, but as long as the fire rating of the structure is maintained it should meet code. PVC products are abundant in Hospitals since they don't have plenum spaces. But remember that in Hospitals most evacuation zones / Smoke compartments have 2-3 hour ratings, since the Hospital is one of the only sbuildings that does not evacuate people in the event of a Fire.
 

roger

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Fl
Occupation
Retired Electrician
chris kennedy said:
How would that make a difference when the OP seems to be dealing with VD FA ect?

Depends on how the local inspector or AHJ interprets the first sentence of 517.80 and why there would be a need for a different article for Other than Patient Care Areas, 517.81.

Roger
 
Last edited:

Billy_Bob

Senior Member
Location
Oregon
When you run a *lot* of low voltage wiring in a large building and that wire is not "shielded" by metal conduit or shielding around the wire, WEIRD things happen!

Basically you have miles of wiring going to some electronic gizmo. This wiring acts as an "antenna" picking up stray voltages, cell phone transmissions, and all sorts of other electrical interference. (Like that noise you get on your AM car radio when driving under an electric line.)

Some electronic "gizmos" are well designed and will have no problem with this. Others are not so well designed and will repeatedly fail, break, and have "mysterious" problems.

Then in a hospital there are some very sensitive electronic devices to boot.

Basically if you want a quality trouble free hospital, I would advise running everything in metal conduit - high or low voltage.

Same thing with very large buildings, warehouses, and even large retail stores.

A nearby lightning strike can wreck everything electronic if the wiring is not shielded.
 

William1978

Senior Member
Location
N.C.
You might want to check you spec book for your answer because every hospital I've ever been on the spec book is a whole lot bigger than the code book. The spec book will tell you what type of raceway is approved for your project.
 
When I work for a contractor. In new office bldgs., (on open walls) he would have us use pvc with cat#5 in office bldgs. alot. It was quicker and easier then emt. Put if we had to fish down existing walls, we would then use smurf tube.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top