Exposed to damage

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physis

physis

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How is it determined when something is exposed to physical damage or is exposed to severe physical damage? I can't help but see exposure to physical damage as also being exposed to severe physical damage. No mention in article 100. Is it buried somewhere or is it vague and uninforceable? Or does some guy in a black suit and sun glasses mysteriously show up at your door when no one else is around and hand you a black folder with gold trim and a tassle one day.
 
Re: Exposed to damage

Your AHJ can make that distinction if it is not obvious to you. Or as you suggest, install for the worst possible scenerio and you will always be okay.
 
Re: Exposed to damage

My own opinion ( which is not worth much) is that this is one of the most abused statment in the NEC. I have a few local AHJ's that make the statment that if it can be seen it can be damaged. and with this we can't run NM exposed or even sc 40 PVC exposed. I have a very big problem with this kind of thinking.
 
Re: Exposed to damage

250.64(B)
........................................A 6 AWG grounding conductor that is free from exposure to physical damage shall be permitted to be run along the surface of the building construction without metal covering or protection where it is securely fastened to the construction; otherwise.......... (protection is required)

Obvious shmobvious. Around here we're never allowed to run 6 awg for an EGC without protection. But clearly that's not the intent of the NEC if you read 250.64(B).

I think article 100 is only about 10% the size it ought to be. If you leave these things for the AHJ to decide then they're writing the NEC.
 
Re: Exposed to damage

There are too many variables to define what exposure to damage is. Its a condition that is respective to each installation only and cannot be determined broadly as you wish. I have seen many installations that would not require the GEC to be protected, such as indoor locations in equipment rooms only accessible to qualified persons.

If you can't determine when a particular aspect of your installtion is exposed to damage, don't blame the NEC, maybe you just need some more training.
 
Re: Exposed to damage

It would be based on 90.1(C) of the NEC. There are many times I may not be able to determine if a location is exposed to physical damage, in those cases, I consult with my AHJ to come to an agreement on needed protection if any is needed. Otherwise, I allow my training and education to assist me make the decsion. I may use other resources and the opinions of others as well. The purpose of the code is not to help you determine such things.
 
Re: Exposed to damage

90.1(C), that's pretty good Bryan. I'm not trying to argue with you. Essentially I'm just asking if these terms have any more meaning than mear opinion.
 
Re: Exposed to damage

Originally posted by bphgravity:
There are many times I may not be able to determine if a location is exposed to physical damage, in those cases, I consult with my AHJ to come to an agreement on needed protection if any is needed.
Click to expand...
I gotta tell you if I could not decide whether something was exposed to physical damage I personally would be inclined to assume it was and proceed appropriately.
 
Re: Exposed to damage

I have considered an area subject to physical damage if it is within 36" of finish grade where a motor vehicle may be able to make contact. This has worked well for most installs. I have seen lawn mowing equipment snap sch 40 riser pipes and not even realize it. The sch 80 can still be broken, however the person will probably be a little sore from the impact.
 
Re: Exposed to damage

Inspector 102, what would you say is exopsure to severe physical damage?
 
Re: Exposed to damage

If you could kick it, it is subject to physical damage.

Lawn mower, weed wacker, cars, angry kids, big wheels, red flyer, long pointy toe nails. etc...too long to list.

So if you could kick it....

But that is just my states interpretation.
 
Re: Exposed to damage

yeah, thats what they make stainless steel cover plates for :)

anyone ever wonder why they dont make stainless receps and switches to go with those stainless covers? sure would look better than white or ivory ;)
(heh heh)
 
Re: Exposed to damage

I can think of at least a dozen possible installations under 7' that would not be exposed to physical damage, and at least the same number of applications that would be over 7' that could still be exposed to physical damage.

I don't believe the code could ever define this area or make a rule on this issue as each and every installation is unique to the possibility of damage. The only way to determine if an installation is in a location subjec to physical damge is to know the circumstances surrounding the location. The code can't possibly list and reference every possibilty.
 
Re: Exposed to damage

would anyone consider rigid conduit at the back of a house, - say, as the riser into the meter for an underground service - to be subject to physical damage?

you can kick it!!!

i know every time I kick a peice of 2 inch rigid it really hurts my foot

it Really depends on WHAT you are installing WHERE to decide on exposed to physical damage
 
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