Fittings usage in a parking garage? Rain tight or set screw?

[stevied]

Looking at installing some lighting in a parking garage that's ground level and open to the air on one end. Looking at the NEC it would seem this could be classified as a damp but not a wet location. If this is the case then emt set screw fittings would be fine but I would like a second opinion on this.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I would classify a parking deck as a damp location.

 

[stevied]

I would classify a parking deck as a damp location.

Where the lights are going to be installed is a parking garage, however there is a parking deck above the garage.

 

[petersonra]

I don't see how it could be considered a wet location.

Location, Damp. Locations protected from weather and
not subject to saturation with water or other liquids but
subject to moderate degrees of moisture. Examples of such
locations include partially protected locations under canopies,
marquees, roofed open porches, and like locations,
and interior locations subject to moderate degrees of moisture,
such as some basements, some barns, and some coldstorage
warehouses.

Location, Dry. A location not normally subject to dampness
or wetness. A location classified as dry may be temporarily
subject to dampness or wetness, as in the case of a
building under construction.

Location, Wet. Installations underground or in concrete
slabs or masonry in direct contact with the earth; in locations
subject to saturation with water or other liquids, such
as vehicle washing areas; and in unprotected locations exposed
to weather.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Where the lights are going to be installed is a parking garage, however there is a parking deck above the garage.

No way that is a wet location... Damp location IMO. read the definition of wet location....

Location, Damp. Locations protected from weather and
not subject to saturation with water or other liquids but
subject to moderate degrees of moisture.
Informational Note: Examples of such locations include
partially protected locations under canopies, marquees,
roofed open porches, and like locations, and interior locations
subject to moderate degrees of moisture, such as some
basements, some barns, and some cold-storage warehouses.


Location, Dry. A location not normally subject to dampness
or wetness. A location classified as dry may be temporarily
subject to dampness or wetness, as in the case of a
building under construction.


Location, Wet. Installations underground or in concrete
slabs or masonry in direct contact with the earth; in locations
subject to saturation with water or other liquids, such
as vehicle washing areas; and in unprotected locations exposed
to weather.

 

[infinity]

I concur, damp location, install accordingly unless someone is paying for a wet location installation.

 

[Carultch]

Looking at installing some lighting in a parking garage that's ground level and open to the air on one end. Looking at the NEC it would seem this could be classified as a damp but not a wet location. If this is the case then emt set screw fittings would be fine but I would like a second opinion on this.

I would think that a fitting would be rated for dry locations only by default, unless product documentation or the NEC specifies otherwise. Therefore, that would lead me to conclude that damp locations wouldn't be able to use standard EMT setscrew fittings or standard EMT compression fittings not marked raintight.

Am I incorrect on this assumption?

I know there is the difference between how wet and damp locations are defined, and I agree that under a covering (yet exposed to damp air and indirect rain) would be a damp location. However, what are some examples of equipment and materials where this classification makes a difference?

Are there any examples of a product or method that can be installed in a damp (but not wet) location, while also having a basic version that is exclusive to dry locations?

 

[Ponchik]

It is a parking structure, I would stretch the definition and consider it a damp location.

Use set screw connectors and coupling. There is NO way that it will get wet not even sideways rain will get into the conduit/boxes that are mounted on the ceiling.

Besides the conductors are THHN/THWN combo rated anyway. So even if water does get in the conductors are properly rated.

 

[Carultch]

Use set screw connectors and coupling. There is NO way that it will get wet not even sideways rain will get into the conduit/boxes that are mounted on the ceiling.

Are they officially listed (or otherwise rated) for this? I've never seen a fitting's datasheet carry a damp location rating without also carrying a wet location or raintight rating.

Besides the conductors are THHN/THWN combo rated anyway. So even if water does get in the conductors are properly rated.

The conductors may be properly rated for water intrusion, but there are enclosures that the conduit feeds, which may have exposed parts that aren't rated for water intrusion.

 

[electrofelon]

The conductors may be properly rated for water intrusion, but there are enclosures that the conduit feeds, which may have exposed parts that aren't rated for water intrusion.

I am opposed to the concept of wet/raintight emt fittings. IMO there are sufficient other code articles (too lazy to look up article numbers) such as raceways to drain, live parts above conduit entries, wet rated conductors and splices, etc.

 

[Ponchik]

Are they officially listed (or otherwise rated) for this? I've never seen a fitting's datasheet carry a damp location rating without also carrying a wet location or raintight rating.



The conductors may be properly rated for water intrusion, but there are enclosures that the conduit feeds, which may have exposed parts that aren't rated for water intrusion.

It may be just me, but I don't see how the water will enter into a conduit or an enclosure that is mounted on the ceiling that is covered and is in a covered parking structure. Realistically speaking the location mentioned by the OP is a dry location. Yes it may be temporarily exposed to dampness, but it is a dry location.

 

[Carultch]

It may be just me, but I don't see how the water will enter into a conduit or an enclosure that is mounted on the ceiling that is covered and is in a covered parking structure. Realistically speaking the location mentioned by the OP is a dry location. Yes it may be temporarily exposed to dampness, but it is a dry location.

I'm looking for facts, not opinions, that allow standard setscrew and standard compression EMT fittings in a damp location.

 

[kwired]

I am opposed to the concept of wet/raintight emt fittings. IMO there are sufficient other code articles (too lazy to look up article numbers) such as raceways to drain, live parts above conduit entries, wet rated conductors and splices, etc.

I am sort of with you here, great place for condensation to form, set screw fittings very likely let water out sometimes but never let any in

It may be just me, but I don't see how the water will enter into a conduit or an enclosure that is mounted on the ceiling that is covered and is in a covered parking structure. Realistically speaking the location mentioned by the OP is a dry location. Yes it may be temporarily exposed to dampness, but it is a dry location.

Rainwater will not get in. Condensation will form within, regardless of what kind of fittings are used.

That condensation may be fairly minimal in some places, like the desert southwest.