Fire ratings & PVC conduit use

[The main monkey buisness]

I'm struggling with an issue. Conditions are: 4 story (old hospital) converted into loft condo. Main service feders (7) 4 " PVC entering at top of foundation wall turning down to main switch aprox 7 ft. I would like to install 90 degree elbow and take PVC straight to cabinet. Inspector commented during a walk through that we will need to change over to metalic conduit to terminate into cabinet. He sited fire rating codes running exposed PVC inside building, others have backed this up without a source reference, only "its always been the way". I just hate installing electrical on "feelings" or "just the way you have to do it". I will not ask the inspector for help on this one. This city's code dept takes every question as a challenge of authority no mater how you present it. ( He would just have to call into his dept head for help anyway, and thats where the problems begin, they assume you are harassing their field inspector). Write now they are working with us and I want to keep it that way. How do I correctly determin on commercial progects when I can and can't install non-metalic wire ways. Thankyou, Adam.

 

[augie47]

One of the guys who are more familiar with building/fire codes may prove me to be wrong, but in a loft/condo situation, I don't see the problem. In an Art 518 situation I can see it, but not in yours.

 

[The main monkey buisness]

Still struggling with building constuction types and materials allowed. There is a lot of misinformed people on this subject. I completely understand the plenum rules. But in all the other areas its still a bit fuzzy.

 

[steve66]

Still struggling with building constuction types and materials allowed. There is a lot of misinformed people on this subject. I completely understand the plenum rules. But in all the other areas its still a bit fuzzy.

Rules for "plenum" locations and air handling locations are covered in 300.22. But you said you are familiar with those.

Also refer to article 352 for PVC conduit. 352.10(F) says PVC conduit can be ran exposed. But there is also 352.12 which lists locations where PVC is prohibited. 352.12(F) says you can't use it in theaters and other similar locations except as allowed in 518.4 and 520.4. But you don't have a location like that.

Then there are the rules about making penetrations through fire rated walls. But if its a foundation wall, I wouldn't think it would be fire rated.