Aluminum in replace of Rigid steel conduit?

[Ansel]

Electricians wanted to change the drawing and use Aluminum conduit instead of Galvanized rigid steel conduit. It will be used in areas such as fire alarm wiring. Why would the electrician want the change? Price or better conduit? Would aluminum conduit be sufficient to protect these wirings without having any problems?

 

[tom baker]

Most fire alarm does not need conduit and often EMT is used. Al is fine depending on the location IE inside, outside, corrosive gases...

 

[gadfly56]

Electricians wanted to change the drawing and use Aluminum conduit instead of Galvanized rigid steel conduit. It will be used in areas such as fire alarm wiring. Why would the electrician want the change? Price or better conduit? Would aluminum conduit be sufficient to protect these wirings without having any problems?

If it's EMT rather than RMC, it's going to be cheaper and much, much, lighter. Swinging around 2" RMC galvanized might require a 2-man crew, but 2" EMT aluminum can probably be handled by a single worker.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

While the published labor tables show lower per unit labor for rigid aluminum, in my experience it is much harder to work with than steel, and if the runs have much for bends I use a higher per unit labor for aluminum than I do for steel.

 

[infinity]

Electricians wanted to change the drawing and use Aluminum conduit instead of Galvanized rigid steel conduit. It will be used in areas such as fire alarm wiring. Why would the electrician want the change? Price or better conduit? Would aluminum conduit be sufficient to protect these wirings without having any problems?

In this in NYC? If so what's the application, power machine rooms below 8', etc?