running boards in basement

the nm cable must be installed on the side of the running boards. not on the face of.

why don't you just bore into the floor joists if they're already exposed?
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Where does the code state that the wires must be run on the side of a joist or running board?
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you're right. code only requires it that way within 6' of attic scuttle holes.

many inspectors in my area will not allow NM cable installed on the surface, as it is "exposed to physical damage." i really am tired of that gray term. so they say we must do this on the side of running boards, if not boring into floor joists. (i just bore)
 
Master Nater said:
...so they say we must do this on the side of running boards...
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How does running them on the sides reduce the exposure to damage versus being on the bottom?
Running through bored holes does not prevent them from being used clothes rods or to support skis, canoe paddles, fishing rods, and other long objects.
 
If you are running NM across the floor joists and don't want to drill them, wouldn't it be easier to just run EMT? and run the NM through it?
 
ActionDave said:
I thought there was something in 334 that you need running boards for unfinished basements and that that was expanded to crawl spaces.
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You do but you can drill holes instead. It may have been our very own Ryan who made that change. The idea was when is a crawl space a crawl space and not a basement. Rather than define that it was easier to just use running boards.

Here in NC we amended that section out and kept it for basements only.
 
In crawl spaces we always ran our runs of wire along the outside walls or along a dropped beam and then we squared off the wires. I hate crawl spaces with wires run all over the place.
 
AFAIK you can install the wiring on the face of a running bord the same as you would along a stud or a joist or rafter. Doesn't the code state something like "follow the surface of the building" if you put up a running board that becomes the building surface.

You can also nail or screw wood on the side of the romex some call them guard strips
 
jim dungar said:
Running through bored holes does not prevent them from being used clothes rods or to support skis, canoe paddles, fishing rods, and other long objects.
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Actually, though holes provides a better support for things like that...on the bottom you only staple every 3rd joist, and you can't hang heavier things on the NM :) :)
 
As I recall the requirement for boring or running boards was originally for unfinished basements.
Way back when I wore a lot younger mans boots we were told by inspectors that the reasoning was to prevent finished ceiling from being installed directly on the Romex akin to the 1-1/4 set back rule.
Someone with ROCs or ROPs can add as to why crawl spaces were added to the requirement.
 
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