Bond it? Or not?

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ericsherman37

ericsherman37

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Oregon Coast
I had an apprentice ask me last week at class about a job site code question he came up with. Him and his journeyman are working on a remodel at a local fish processing plant.

Apparently there is some sort of catwalk railing bar that is being utilized as a plumbing pipe. The supply end is some sort of PVC plumbing, and the far end is also PVC of some type. Basically, the metal hand railing is isolated at both ends.

Whether this railing is designed and listed for this application, I have no idea. I haven't seen it. For the sake of argument though, let's assume that it is.

So the apprentice's question was, "Do we have to bond the water hand-railing pipe?" My first thought was 250.104, and "Yes." But then after hearing that it was isolated by PVC plumbing at both ends, I thought, "Maybe not." I don't know what the plumbing is for, but I assume there's probably a pump or something at one end or the other, and that if it needed to be bonded then that would be the circuit most likely to energize it.

Can anyone provide some info on this? Thank you!

- Eric
 
IMO, bond it.

250.104 Bonding of Piping Systems and Exposed Structural Steel.

(A) Metal Water Piping. The metal water piping system shall be bonded as required in (A)(1), (A)(2), or (A)(3) of this section. The bonding jumper(s) shall be installed in accordance with 250.64(A), (B), and (E). The points of attachment of the bonding jumper(s) shall be accessible.

(1) General. Metal water piping system(s) installed in or attached to a building or structure shall be bonded to the service equipment enclosure, the grounded conductor at the service, the grounding electrode conductor where of sufficient size, or to the one or more grounding electrodes used. The bonding jumper(s) shall be sized in accordance with Table 250.66 except as permitted in 250.104(A)(2) and (A)(3).
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You can never "over bond" :) if the cat walk is grounded and the railing/water pipe isn't, or the other way around, you could have a problem. I guess what ever is in the pipe (maybe salt water) could make a difference too.
How is the pipe supported? metal hangers to building steel ? too many senarios. :grin:
 
The hand rail is only a part of a metal water piping system. I don't see the code as requiring this pipe to be bonded.
 
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