Flood Areas

[TomBaker]

Hi Everybody, I am new to the forum. We received and updated set of prints with the note that all electrical wiring shall be suitable for submergence and only submersible type splices shall be used. They have added this statement at the order of Baltimore City for the fact that the building (commercial interior) is in the 9-10' flood area. they are stating this for the whole project The ceiling should be above this height. Am I correct in figuring that every thing including all the light fixtures would have to be changed to ones approved for the purpose.

 

[Sierrasparky]

Welcome:thumbsup:

That is a interesting requirement.
You could use UF cable.
MC cable has THWN conductors inside. However the sheath is not moisture rated unless has a outer jacket. I would prefer the MC as it will dry out. The MC with outer covering will not if submerged.
UF is a pain.
I think you need to find out what is acceptable

 

[JFletcher]

Welcome to The Forum

If they are going through these kinds of ends, would I be correct in assuming that all switchgear, breaker panels, Transformers and generators would have to be located on at least the second floor? I could see requiring that however waterproof splices for lights, switches, and receptacles seems a bit of a waste... If you get 7 ft of flood water in the building, all that stuff is going to be replaced anyway... drywall, insulation, etcetera... or are they going to use spray foam insulation and wonderboard on the entire first floor and any below-grade areas?

 

[kwired]

Seems you couldn't have any switches or receptacles below flood line either.

UF is direct bury rated, don't know it is rated for submersion though.

Submersible pump cable is rated for submersion - but is only listed for use within the well casing and not as general "building wire"

I do have to agree that if you get flooded they are tearing out drywall and other items and items that were concealed will be exposed and easily replaced anyway. Other option is raceway methods and THWN. Many times it sits in water filled raceways when installed underground anyway, but your switches, receptacles, breakers, etc. are all going to need replaced if they get submerged even if you can leave the conductors in place.

 

[JFletcher]

As for your question to light fixtures, it seems to me that the only fixtures that could be used after immersion in water would be those designed for a pool... Aside from a lack of suitable fixtures, wiring the entire first floor like an article 680 install for lights would be, to say the very least, an incredibly enormous p i t b.

water resistant receptacles are not waterproof, they would have to be replaced anyway, there is no point in making the splices waterproof, but if you have to, I would use splices that are rated for direct burial.