300.4(E) question...

[emahler]

have a warehouse that is being revamped...there is existing conduit mounted above the the trusses and right below the roof deck...a violation of 300.4(E) if we did it today...but the conduit was installed well before it was illegal...

here is the question - can we reuse the existing conduit and wire as is? or do we need to run new conduit and abandon the existing?

I'll call the DCA Tuesday for a clarification...but just curious

 

[jumper]

I am going to post the article, so others can reply more easily:

(E) Cables and Raceways Installed Under Roof Decking.
A cable- or raceway-type wiring method, installed in
exposed or concealed locations under metal-corrugated sheet
roof decking, shall be installed and supported so the nearest
outside surface of the cable or raceway is not less than 38 mm
(11⁄2 in.) from the nearest surface of the roof decking.

FPN: Roof decking material is often repaired or replaced
after the initial raceway or cabling and roofing installation
and may be penetrated by the screws or other mechanical
devices designed to provide ?hold down? strength of the
waterproof membrane or roof insulating material.

Exception: Rigid metal conduit and intermediate metal
conduit shall not be required to comply with 300.4(E).

 

[Rewire]

Looking at the FPN the reasoning behind the rule is to prevent damage after installation. Revamping is a subjective term but I would take it to mean extensive work will be done so removing these conduits would probably be required.

 

[emahler]

as part of the project, many of the conduits are remaining - all the light fixtures are getting swapped...obviously any new conduits will be code compliant...i have a feeling it's gonna be up to the AHJ...but since the FPN is not enforceable...it might depend on how much of a pissing contest we wish to get into this early in the project...

 

[Rewire]

Of course the AHJ could allow it to start and then get amnesia have way through and make you take them out.

 

[emahler]

Of course the AHJ could allow it to start and then get amnesia have way through and make you take them out.

we are doing a lot of deep trenching on the job...
nah, i know the inspector pretty well...i just don't want to put him in a bind...

 

[LarryFine]

nah, i know the inspector pretty well...i just don't want to put him in a bind...

He'd probably feel more bound if you ask or he notices them later.

Remember, if they must be removed/relocated, that's more work.

 

[emahler]

He'd probably feel more bound if you ask or he notices them later.

Remember, if they must be removed/relocated, that's more work.

i meant i'd call the state 1st and get an answer from them...instead of asking him to make the call...

 

[infinity]

i meant i'd call the state 1st and get an answer from them...instead of asking him to make the call...

That's what I would do. If you're in NJ, shouldn't this fall under the rehab code?

 

[emahler]

i am and it does

 

[infinity]

i am and it does

IMO then you can reuse the existing conduit. A call to Suzanne over at the DCA wouldn't hurt. This is one code change in the 2008 that I really despise.