Fire alarm cable in conduit?

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thelonerangers

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I'm on a job and being told by the building electrician that the IDF's have to be 100% in conduit for the fire alarm work. Not just sleeves 10 feet off floor. My question is, I'm being told this is code. I looked through the nec maybe I'm missing it, any help on where I could find this answer. Also almost forgot to add in there, each IDF has its own circuit breaker panel if that makes a difference. Thank you in advance.
 
thelonerangers said:
I'm on a job and being told by the building electrician that the IDF's have to be 100% in conduit for the fire alarm work. Not just sleeves 10 feet off floor. My question is, I'm being told this is code. I looked through the nec maybe I'm missing it, any help on where I could find this answer. Also almost forgot to add in there, each IDF has its own circuit breaker panel if that makes a difference. Thank you in advance.
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How does an IDF (intermediate distribution frame) come into play? Is the electrician telling you fire alarm cable in a IDF (room or cabinet) must be in conduit? Might be a job spec, not a bad idea.

Check out article 760 in the NEC.

Job specs and local amendments aside, (power limited fire alarm) PFLA cable does not have be in conduit (unless it could be damaged or the must be rated like 2 hour cable and the system calls for it). Below 7' it must be secured every 12". If the cable is below that you have to add zip ties, straps etc every 12" and that hideous looking.
 
I don't have the exact measurements off the top of my head but they are sleeved up well passed the 7 foot mark. I'm not sure if the building is specifically asking for the wire to be in conduit in the idf. I'm just trying to cover my bases, so I don't get caught off guard. I looked up and down in the fire alarm section. Is there anywhere else in the code that would change the necessity for the cable to be in conduit in an idf. Say if there is a electrical panel in the idf? Thank you for the help by the way.
 
thelonerangers said:
I don't have the exact measurements off the top of my head but they are sleeved up well passed the 7 foot mark. I'm not sure if the building is specifically asking for the wire to be in conduit in the idf. I'm just trying to cover my bases, so I don't get caught off guard. I looked up and down in the fire alarm section. Is there anywhere else in the code that would change the necessity for the cable to be in conduit in an idf. Say if there is a electrical panel in the idf? Thank you for the help by the way.
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There are no references to an IDF in the NEC. Before we go further. What do you refer to as an IDF?

Try telling the electrician you are eager to learn and do the job right. Ask him to reference the section he's talking about. Maybe you misunderstood him. Even better, ask him to show it to you. If he has a copy of th NEC (and the time to help you, might not want to)
 
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