Wiring Requirement for a 4 Story Hotel
As stated by the others-it will be a bldg dept/fire marshall call as to what "construction type " classification applies to the job in question-from that point you can determine what the allowable wiring methods are--also taking into account the 'x' factors of areas classified as public assembly and dropped cielings[where we all know RX can not be used currently]...and any other possible ammendments,addendums,exceptions.., etc...,that may raise their ugly heads.
As an electrical inspector though I must admit that there is something that puzzles me regarding building classification determination.
It seems that buildings constructed of "COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS"-i.e.wood are classified so as to allow for the use of NM cable .
I believe buildings that are of steel,or cement or similar construction components would not fall under the classification allowing for NM cable use.
An initial reading of the nec re;this would seem puzzling because of NM's history in Fire situations and the assumption tat a wood frame bldg would naturally be more fire friendly than a steel or cement bldg..
Woah-I'm out of breadth.---Now heres a question-
So is this rule actually just one of those NEC backdoor methods of achieving a desired result?
Do you think the rule was worded as is because the boys up high in all their wisdom were actually taking into account the fact that "Wood Frame construction is no longer ,and has not been for a number of years, a method of construction used in construction of multi story bldgs"?--Sort of a hollow rule in effect?