334.40

[jaylectricity]

McMansion, built in 2009, I believe.

My contractor had to remove large portions of the ceiling in the finished basement. What I saw amazed me. Romex not stapled to the joists.n It was just laying along the top of the strapping.

Got me wondering. Is the 1x3 strapping running perpendicular along the bottom of the joists every 16" suitable to support the romex? Being on top of the strapping means it's 1.25 inches from the finished surface (3/4" strapping plus 1/2" sheetrock) and it's supported far more often than the required 56".

It looks sloppy and I hate it, but could this actually meet the code?

For those in parts of the country that don't know what strapping is, here's a pic. It's the wood underneath the joists. Creates separation and is awesome when it comes time to fish wires through the ceiling later.

 

[ActionDave]

1. Yes, I think the strapping is adequate support.

B) I can think of no bigger waste of time, materials, and money. You guys up there in Patriot land know that the rest of the country doesn't do this and there are no negative repercussions, right?

 

[jaylectricity]

1. Yes, I think the strapping is adequate support.

B) I can think of no bigger waste of time, materials, and money. You guys up there in Patriot land know that the rest of the country doesn't do this and there are no negative repercussions, right?

I'm going to ask my carpenter why they do it.

But it's great for us.

If you don't have strapping how do you add six recessed lights to a room that's already finished?

 

[ActionDave]

If you don't have strapping how do you add six recessed lights to a room that's already finished?

Remodel cans laid out between the joists.

 

[jumper]

It is supported but not secured.

I would prolly accept it, but it is not 100% kosher.

If inspector says no....what could you say is securing it?

 

[jumper]

Wait, 1 x 3. That means 3/4” from face of wood, no good.

Code says 1 1/4 from face of framing member, not finish. Drywall does not count.

Okay, no securing and does not meet minimum distance, No Pass IMO.

The strapping becomes part of the framing in a way. I imagine the drywall gets attached to it so that makes it structural in my mind.

 

[LarryFine]

The NM could have been pulled in after dry-walling the ceiling. The strapping makes runs perpendicular to the framing easier. Otherwise, I use these dudes:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-3-4-in-x-72-in-Cable-Bit-48-13-8375/203115403

 

[jaylectricity]

Wait, 1 x 3. That means 3/4” from face of wood, no good.

Code says 1 1/4 from face of framing member, not finish. Drywall does not count.

Okay, no securing and does not meet minimum distance, No Pass IMO.

The strapping becomes part of the framing in a way. I imagine the drywall gets attached to it so that makes it structural in my mind.

No, it's 1.25" from finished surface. Can't remember the article at the moment, but I've had that fight before.

 

[jaylectricity]

Remodel cans laid out between the joists.

Haha of course. I meant how do you get the wire to each light.

 

[jaylectricity]

The NM could have been pulled in after dry-walling the ceiling. The strapping makes runs perpendicular to the framing easier. Otherwise, I use these dudes:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-3-4-in-x-72-in-Cable-Bit-48-13-8375/203115403

No, this was all the home runs for the house. No way they were allowed to sheetrock the basement ceiling before running circuits to the rest of the house.

 

[ActionDave]

Haha of course. I meant how do you get the wire to each light.

Ohhh. Well if you're running perpendicular to the joists then you have to make some extra holes and use a six foot remodel bit as necessary.

 

[jaylectricity]

Ohhh. Well if you're running perpendicular to the joists then you have to make some extra holes and use a six foot remodel bit as necessary.

Exactly. We don't have to do that.

 

[jumper]

No, it's 1.25" from finished surface. Can't remember the article at the moment, but I've had that fight before.

300.4

Says framing members.

 

[readydave8]

No, it's 1.25" from finished surface. Can't remember the article at the moment, but I've had that fight before.

". . .nearest edge of wood member . . ."

2011 300.4 (A) (1)

 

[infinity]

If you look at the photo you could run parallel to the wood 1X3 furring as long as you maintain the 1.25" space from the edge of the furring. You just staple to the actual beam bottoms.

 

[LarryFine]

If you look at the photo you could run parallel to the wood 1X3 furring as long as you maintain the 1.25" space from the edge of the furring. You just staple to the actual beam bottoms.

That means 0.75" minus the cable thickness.

 

[infinity]

That means 0.75" minus the cable thickness.

You lost me. :?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

That means 0.75" minus the cable thickness.

Those are 2x4's

 

[jap]

The strapping makes runs perpendicular to the framing easier.

I've acturally heard this was part of the reasoning for the strapping.

That, and, If it's done right, a lazer is set up, and, the strapping is shimmed to make the ceiling straight even if the floorjoists aren't.

Not sure of their real reason.


JAP>

 

[LarryFine]

You lost me. :?

Those are 2x4's

The OP said they're 1x3s, which are 3/4" thick. A cable perpendicular to the joists would be in that 3/4" space, so the surface of the cable would be less than 3/4" from the back of the drywall.