Would EMT be an allowable wiring method in a chicken house ?
I don't know that you gain much, other than cost, buy going to PVC coated rigid, other than if you have physical damage issues.Depends how long you want it to last. What about using aluminum? Just guessing but probably the best would be PVC coated RMC.
Your dairy barns, especially modern ones, probably have 14-20 foot side walls and probably have a lot more natural ventilation putting the ceiling mounted items further away from the corrosive source.The problem with pvc in barns, especially roofs, is expansion. We're getting ready to do some 2200' long dairy barns that I'm going to wire in EMT just because pvc is so labor intensive with expansion fittings, straps every 3', two screws per pvc strap instead of one for regular emt 1 hole straps.
PVC is okay for stubups and small stuff, but with any length to the runs, it becomes a real pain.
PVC: a soft shorted circuit in the conduit not enough to trip the breaker but could generate a fire and gone the barn. I vote for non-corrosive metal conduit.
I remember staying at a chicken farm in AL overnight. Even in March, the smell was beyond hideous...ammonia. I'd think corrosion resistance would possibly take priority over anything else, but ofc that's to make a 'bulletproof' design, and cost is always a factor.
PVC: a soft shorted circuit in the conduit not enough to trip the breaker but could generate a fire and gone the barn. I vote for non-corrosive metal conduit.
It usually isn't as bad inside as it is outside, or at least doesn't seem as bad for some reason.I had never seen commercial farming operations up close until I traveled to Ohio. I had the opportunity to check out a hog CAFO (confined animal feeding operation.) I wanted to go inside but as I got near it the smell was so bad that I almost lost my lunch. I literally had to stop to regain my composure. I was able to hold it down and walked along side of it, but just couldn't stomach going inside. I have never smelled anything that bad in my life. I asked the farmer if he smells it and he says he doesn't even notice it. :huh:
We have sure taken a familiar journey from the OP of EMT being allowed to installing Rob-Roy
It is certainly "permitted"... just not explicitly.I agree. The question was:Would EMT be an allowable wiring method in a chicken house ?
I think yes, If it complies with 358.10 (B) and 300.6 (A) and (A) (1)
It usually isn't as bad inside as it is outside, or at least doesn't seem as bad for some reason.
I bet same hen house had NM cable and surface mounted plastic body switches, receptacles, lampholders as well.It is certainly "permitted"... just not explicitly.
See 547.5.
FWIW, I grew up on a farm with 100-150 indoor hens at most times... cooped, not caged. We had galvanized steel nesting boxes for the hens to lay eggs. For the thirty some years the farm was in my family, there was no sign of corrosion on the nesting boxes.