Wire support spacing

[tonype]

Supports are spaced 5 feet apart, with the wires "draped" across. 5 feet seems to far, but I cannot find the reference. I am correct? Building is ca. 1940 (apartment) and was converted to condos ca. 1980

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/TonyPE/P1110485_edited-1.jpg

 

[Volta]

What kind of circuits and cables?

For years the 'low-voltage' phase was "~ supported by the building structure in such a manner so as not to be damaged by normal building use ~" or something like that.

 

[tonype]

What kind of circuits and cables?

For years the 'low-voltage' phase was "~ supported by the building structure in such a manner so as not to be damaged by normal building use ~" or something like that.

A variety of stuff - many are the cables are from the meter/main disconnects to the panels within the dwellings. Some of routing of 120-volt circuits in the basement. There is also some communications (orange items are Fios).

 

[Volta]

Some rules that may have been enforced circa 1940:

Armored cable shall be secured at intervals not exceeding 4 1/2 feet and within 12 inches . . .

The cable shall be secured in place at intervals not exceeding 4 1/2 feet and within 12 inches . . .

Conductors and equipment shall be installed in accordance with Chapter 3 of this code, except as follows . . .

Text that follows does not refer to supports.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Personally I don't think that install meets todays code for a few reasons. The first is that support needs to be every 4 1/2'. The use of the words support and secure are used today. Those cables may be supported but they are not secured. If that were allowed then we could run cables across attic joists without stapling.

Here is the wording for nm cable which appears to be in there.

334.30 Securing and Supporting.
Nonmetallic-sheathed cable shall be supported and secured by staples, cable ties, straps, hangers, or similar fittings designed and installed so as not to damage the cable, at intervals not exceeding 1.4 m (4? ft) and within 300 mm (12 in.) of every outlet box, junction box, cabinet, or fitting. Flat cables shall not be stapled on edge.
Sections of cable protected from physical damage by raceway shall not be required to be secured within the raceway.

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

Have not ran any romex in about 5 years. Have never been forced to staple in attics if ran over trusses. They will need support every 4 1/2 feet. Is this exactly 5 feet ? Even if it is i don't see a big deal about 54 inches ok and 60 not. If your adding any new cables you might be pushed to the 54 inch rule.

 

[cowboyjwc]

I may not enforce the 4 1/2 foot rule in this case (give me something), but I would agree that they are not secured.

 

[Volta]

But - when were they installed ?

 

[cowboyjwc]

Doesn't really matter, that's been in the code as long as I can remember and I've been doing this for 30+ years.

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

Doesn't really matter, that's been in the code as long as I can remember and I've been doing this for 30+ years.

Would this violation be granfathered in. Meaning if it passed could a new inspection force them to correct it ?

 

[cowboyjwc]

Would this violation be granfathered in. Meaning if it passed could a new inspection force them to correct it ?

Awww, I would say yes. What was really signed off at the time? 3 cables? 4? And just because another inspector missed it doesn't make it right.

 

[Volta]

Doesn't really matter, that's been in the code as long as I can remember and I've been doing this for 30+ years.

Yeah, you're right. Even though I kept typing 'secured', I kept thinking 'supported'. But 'secured' does go back at least to 1935.