Emt on cinderblock

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Sburti

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I know Emt on cinderblock is bad practice because it deteriorates. Is it in the codebook or just a commonly known trade practice? I don't have my book and was just discussing with an inspector. Thanks all. Journeyman electrician in PA here.

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Not sure what you mean. Maybe its a northeast thing but I was always taught the cinders in cinderblock eats away at EMT and it deteriorates. I wasn't sure if it was an actual code or just trade knowledge

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both of you don't have a code book handy? doesn't say anything about on cinderblock
358.12 Uses Not Permitted
EMT shall not be used under the following conditions:
(3) In cinder concrete or cinder fill where subject to permanent moisture unless protected on all sides by a layer of
noncinder concrete at least 50 mm (2 in.) thick or unless the tubing is at least 450 mm (18 in.) under the fill.

Definition of CINDER CONCRETE
: portland-cement concrete in which clean well-burned coal cinders are used as coarse aggregate
[h=1]cinder block[/h]: a block that is made of cement and coal cinders and that is used in buildingCloseStyle: MLA APA Chicago
 
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358.12 is Uses not permitted for EMT.

(3) In cinder concrete or cinder fill where subject to permanent
moisture unless protected on all sides by a layer of
noncinder concrete at least 50 mm (2 in.) thick or unless
the tubing is at least 450 mm (18 in.) under the fill.
 
luckylerado said:
358.12 is Uses not permitted for EMT.

(3) In cinder concrete or cinder fill where subject to permanent
moisture unless protected on all sides by a layer of
noncinder concrete at least 50 mm (2 in.) thick or unless
the tubing is at least 450 mm (18 in.) under the fill.
Click to expand...

Key word here is "in" not on the surface
 
Sburti said:
Not sure what you mean. Maybe its a northeast thing but I was always taught the cinders in cinderblock eats away at EMT and it deteriorates. I wasn't sure if it was an actual code or just trade knowledge
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I am in the Northeast and have never heard this.

Perhaps an issue with true 'cider block' but most blocks being installed today are not cinder, they are concrete blocks.

cinder block
noun
: a block that is made of cement and coal cinders and that is used in building
Click to expand...
 
luckylerado said:
Indeed.

OP, there is a thing in the masonry world called efflorescence that can damage galvanized metal but NEC does not do anything special to mitigate any damage cause by it. There has to be water present for efflorescence to be an issue.
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Thanks... The moisture on the block is enough to eat it away. I've seen it. Wasn't sure of the code.

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iwire said:
I am in the Northeast and have never heard this.

Perhaps an issue with true 'cider block' but most blocks being installed today are not cinder, they are concrete blocks.
Click to expand...
I live in the former coal capital of the universe. All the old buildings are Cinderblock

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Sburti said:
Thanks... The moisture on the block is enough to eat it away. I've seen it. Wasn't sure of the code.

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Click to expand...

Do you know if it is really cinder block?

Most likely it is just concrete block.

We run EMT on concrete block all the time without any issues.
 
Its cinderblock very common practice here for old buildings to be all cinder block

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iwire said:
I am in the Northeast and have never heard this.

Perhaps an issue with true 'cider block' but most blocks being installed today are not cinder, they are concrete blocks.
Click to expand...

Iwire has something here a CMU concrete masonry Unit does not have coal cinders in its composition.
 
mwm1752 said:
Iwire has something here a CMU concrete masonry Unit does not have coal cinders in its composition.
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I'm not talking about new construction talking about old buildings. I wire where are you located

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