Electric Lines on Gas Main

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Nick Q

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I recently discovered that in the past someone has attached electrical and communications lines to the plants 4 inch gas main. I submitted for capital money to instal a pole and relocate the wires. I listed this as a safety concern. The request for funding has been returned and I have been asked to provide some reference material stating that this is unsafe. I was wonder if anyone could point me in the right direction for reference material. I could not find it in the NEC book.
 
I would go at it from the other direction, check the codes for gas line installations, I bet they contain something about not using gas lines to support other systems.
 
iwire and 480:

I'm really surprised at you guys... I seem to recall a Code Article that prohibited attaching wires, cables and conduits/raceways to other systems...I'll comb thru my Code book to see if I can find the reference.....(or perhaps it is a prohibition to attaching other systems to raceways, etc.)
 
After further review....

After further review....

OK, here's what I have found in the 1999 NEC (Latest edition I have on hand):

Art 110-13(a) States in part:

"110-13(a) Mounting. Electrical equipment shall be firmly secured to the surface on which it is mounted."

I wouldn't consider a gas main as a surface. What the gas main is mounted to could be considered the surface.

I also found this under Art. 300 Wiring Methods

300-11 Securing and Supporting

"300-11(a) Secured in Place. Raceways, cable assemblies, boxes, cabinets and fittings shall be securely fastened in place."

This is a bit vague. It goes on to mention that support wires that do not provide secure support shall not be the sole means of support. It also prohibits raceways and cables from being supported by the ceiling grid.

So I wouldn't say the NEC is silent on the issue, but it is somewhat unclear.

I would make the 110-13 reference in this case.
 
All these code references are pretty vauge in that thery do not specify what is securely fastened to. One hole straps, wire ties, bailing twine,..... Iwire is probably right that the place to look is the gas rules.
 
mxslick said:
iwire and 480:

I'm really surprised at you guys... I seem to recall a Code Article that prohibited attaching wires, cables and conduits/raceways to other systems...I'll comb thru my Code book to see if I can find the reference.....(or perhaps it is a prohibition to attaching other systems to raceways, etc.)
Click to expand...


Well, keep in mind my memory's not what it used to be. I'm shooting from the hip.

But I scanned the 2008 NEC CD and couldn't find anything.

And too, my memory's not what it used to be.

Now, what were we talking about?:grin:
 
mxslick said:
OK, here's what I have found in the 1999 NEC (Latest edition I have on hand):

Art 110-13(a) States in part:

"110-13(a) Mounting. Electrical equipment shall be firmly secured to the surface on which it is mounted."

I wouldn't consider a gas main as a surface. What the gas main is mounted to could be considered the surface.

I also found this under Art. 300 Wiring Methods

300-11 Securing and Supporting

"300-11(a) Secured in Place. Raceways, cable assemblies, boxes, cabinets and fittings shall be securely fastened in place."

This is a bit vague. It goes on to mention that support wires that do not provide secure support shall not be the sole means of support. It also prohibits raceways and cables from being supported by the ceiling grid.

So I wouldn't say the NEC is silent on the issue, but it is somewhat unclear.

I would make the 110-13 reference in this case.
Click to expand...



I'd say as applied to the situation these articles are more than a stretch.
 
Not only do I not see a NEC issue, I don't see a safety issue either. I agree that there may be rules in codes other than the NEC that would prohibit this installation.
 
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