emt (Required to be red?)

[ohunt]

Hello I am new to this forum so here goes the question.
Got into a discussion with a customer on his fire alarm system and the code requiments. The way I have been doing it for years is 3/4 emt in and out for the whole system. He wanted the emt in red now I read the code and could not find anyplace in the code stating that the emt had to be red. Plus checked with the local auth. To see if the local code wanted red emt they did not. Am I missing something in the code book.

 

[russ]

Color coding the conduit is a nice touch, but not required by the NEC.

 

[Cavie]

Hello I am new to this forum so here goes the question.
Got into a discussion with a customer on his fire alarm system and the code requiments. The way I have been doing it for years is 3/4 emt in and out for the whole system. He wanted the emt in red now I read the code and could not find anyplace in the code stating that the emt had to be red. Plus checked with the local auth. To see if the local code wanted red emt they did not. Am I missing something in the code book.

Just paint the 4''sq blank covers red for easy ID.

 

[480sparky]

Many large commercial jobs spec the FA system to be red, sometimes pipe and all. You can either paint it, or use Allied.

 

[joebell]

I do not believe there is a color coding requirement in the NEC or NFPA-72.

 

[nakulak]

all military base jobs we do usually require red for fa , buts its always in the specs

 

[russ]

I do not believe there is a color coding requirement in the NEC or NFPA-72.

I agree. 760.30 (2008 nec) 760.10 (2002 nec) do not mention a color.

 

[tkb]

The last FA job I did we used red EMT and told the painter he couldn't paint it.
It was a boiler plant and everything was surface mount on brick.
The painter was not happy. The GC made him cover all of the FA EMT. :grin:

 

[Regularkevin]

Washington Administrative Code regarding FAS.

Washington Administrative Code regarding FAS.

In Washington I am used to painting the inside and outside of j boxes, 4 square blanks and mudrings red for Fire Alarm Systems we've installed.

Here is the text out of the WAC.


WAC 296-46B-760 Fire alarm systems.

Device and junction boxes for fire alarm systems other than the surface raceway type, must be
substantially red in color, both inside and outside. Power-limited fire protective signaling circuit conductors must be durably and plainly marked in or on junction boxes or other enclosures to indicate that it is a power-limited fire protective signaling circuit.

 

[russ]

In Washington I am used to painting the inside and outside of j boxes, 4 square blanks and mudrings red for Fire Alarm Systems we've installed.

Here is the text out of the WAC.


WAC 296-46B-760 Fire alarm systems.

Device and junction boxes for fire alarm systems other than the surface raceway type, must be
substantially red in color, both inside and outside. Power-limited fire protective signaling circuit conductors must be durably and plainly marked in or on junction boxes or other enclosures to indicate that it is a power-limited fire protective signaling circuit.

Just curious if there is a section saying other systems can not be marked red ?

 

[JohnJ0906]

In Washington I am used to painting the inside and outside of j boxes, 4 square blanks and mudrings red for Fire Alarm Systems we've installed.

Here is the text out of the WAC.


WAC 296-46B-760 Fire alarm systems.

Device and junction boxes for fire alarm systems other than the surface raceway type, must be
substantially red in color, both inside and outside. Power-limited fire protective signaling circuit conductors must be durably and plainly marked in or on junction boxes or other enclosures to indicate that it is a power-limited fire protective signaling circuit.

Outsides of boxes, I can understand, but why insides?

 

[480sparky]

Outsides of boxes, I can understand, but why insides?

Because we're electricians, and by the time we get the cover off the box, we've plumb forgot it was a FA system we were working on?

Actually, it's probably more for boxes that are placed in finished walls, there only the inside is visible once the walls are finished (barring the drywallers & painters, who love to fill them with their stuff!)

 

[JohnJ0906]

Actually, it's probably more for boxes that are placed in finished walls, there only the inside is visible once the walls are finished (barring the drywallers & painters, who love to fill them with their stuff!)

OK, that makes sense.
Although the fire alarm device that was installed in the box might give it away as well.... :wink:

 

[iwire]

Actually, it's probably more for boxes that are placed in finished walls, there only the inside is visible once the walls are finished (barring the drywallers & painters, who love to fill them with their stuff!)

I still don't get it, it does not make sense.

 

[480sparky]

I still don't get it, it does not make sense.

When the walls are finished, how much of the box can you see? I'll say just the inside. Maybe that's why they require the inside to be painted red.

OK, that makes sense.
Although the fire alarm device that was installed in the box might give it away as well.... :wink:

Yeah, but the rule is probably there to help the inspector identify the box, not us dumb electricians.

 

[Regularkevin]

Sometimes you just 'do' what the JW tells you to do. Like painting the BACK of the box as well.... I thought that it was unnecessary but my Foreman had expected this for the FA system.

As far as painting the boxes inside: Yes, they are painted due to the fact that the boxes are flush with the drywall. I think some of it had to do with the Inspector being able to discern b/w FA and Power.


Russ, as far as your question goes: I haven't found anything in the WAC that addresses that matter.
I queried for the following words to find it: marked, red, paint, identify, clearly marked, mark, emt, conduit, color, colors, suitable, identification.

 

[KentAT]

Is it possible they meant indoors and outdoors?