can romex wire be used in a high-rise building

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cpsboss

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Can romex wire (NM) be used in a condo unit in a high-rise building?

My situation:

The building I am working in is a 12 story high-rise. Exterior of building is constructed of concrete and masonry block, interior walls of common areas and condo/apartments are built of galvanized metal, with ?? drywall as finish. There is no load bearing walls located in the interior of the condo/apartment. Existing electrical branch circuit wiring is in EMT. We are doing a remodel of kitchen and baths in one condo/apartment and have to replace/relocate branch circuits and devices. Is it acceptable to re-wire these rooms with romex or do I have to re-wire using existing type raceway/wiring?

Thanks
cpsboss
 
cpsboss said:
Can romex wire (NM) be used in a condo unit in a high-rise building?

My situation:

The building I am working in is a 12 story high-rise. Exterior of building is constructed of concrete and masonry block, interior walls of common areas and condo/apartments are built of galvanized metal, with ?? drywall as finish. There is no load bearing walls located in the interior of the condo/apartment. Existing electrical branch circuit wiring is in EMT. We are doing a remodel of kitchen and baths in one condo/apartment and have to replace/relocate branch circuits and devices. Is it acceptable to re-wire these rooms with romex or do I have to re-wire using existing type raceway/wiring?

Thanks
cpsboss
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I would say that if it's a Type 1 or Type 2 building as per Annex E, NM-B would not be permitted. See 2005 NEC 334-12(A)(1) for the code path. Just MHO, though. :)
 
I am going to say that NM cable would be prohibited in this building due to the fact that it would appear that the building is constructed of Type I construction.

Chris
 
I think you can after reading 334.10 in the workbook. The shaded area in the workbook says " If a building is to be of noncombustible construction ( ie., Type I or II ) by the owner's choice, even though the building code would permit comustible construction, the building is allowed to wired with nonmetallic-sheathed cable.
 
What type construction is this building considered?

What type construction is this building considered?

What type construction is this building considered?

12 stories, exterior walls and supports are concrete and masonry block. Interior walls are metal studs, with 1/2" drywall.

Thanks
cpsboss
 
For a 12 story building, I doubt it was the owners choice to use noncombustable construction. I think it was probably required.

Steve
 
guschash said:
I think you can after reading 334.10 in the workbook. The shaded area in the workbook says " If a building is to be of noncombustible construction ( ie., Type I or II ) by the owner's choice, even though the building code would permit comustible construction, the building is allowed to wired with nonmetallic-sheathed cable.
Click to expand...
What type of "combustible" material would you build a 12 story building out of...I mean IF you had a choice? 12 story would have to be steel and concrete or rock...I don't think IMO that you have a choice here and 334.10 does not apply
 
I have worked in a 9 story apartment building that was 100% NM cable built last year. It was in Massachusetts, but their amendments relax the NEC requirements to permit it to be done.

It also had a plastic sprinkler pipe system.
 
Since the three story limit has been taken out of the code, there is no reason that you can't use it.

In multifamily dwelling units all of the units are required to be one hour unit to unit and depending on the design, unit to corridor.

No matter what wiring method you use you will still have to do fire stopping.
 
cowboyjwc said:
Since the three story limit has been taken out of the code, there is no reason that you can't use it.

In multifamily dwelling units all of the units are required to be one hour unit to unit and depending on the design, unit to corridor.

No matter what wiring method you use you will still have to do fire stopping.
Click to expand...

A high-rise 12 story building would not be permitted to be built of Types III IV or V construction, therefore you can't use NM cable.

Chris
 
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