Florida Masonary / Block Wall Wire Run Question

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Cybatrex

Cybatrex

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Location
Florida
Hey Folks,
I have had a big problem with finding an answer to this so I've been going overboard with safety precautions which is becoming very aggravating and extremely time-consuming doing it this way. So here it is...

Problem
Outlet on the left side of the room. You need to create new outlet 7 feet away for example running horizontally as going up and over won't work as the ceilings are concrete also.. The problem is when you make the outlet hole for the new one you find if there is a masonary cindeblock wall. You have no access to any of the cavities in the block but that wouldn't matter because you've got to take the run left and pass over two sets of furring strips that is holding up the drywall. Keep in mind we're relocating an outlet for a home theater system so it has to be aesthetically pleasing.

The only space that you have available to you is between the Drywall and the Masonary wall which is only a quarter of an inch.

My research
NEC 300.4 (A) (1) this code states that if you're passing through a framing member and Less than 1-1/4 inches away from the Drywall you need to have a 1/16 plate to protect it from any nails and screws where they are likely to penetrate. Unless you consider the furring strip to be that framing member I don't know if this applies. It gets tricky because NEC 334.10. (a)(2) states that you can fish between the air voids of the cinderblock but we don't have access to that either unless we break a hole thru it and hope that are lines up so you can fish through the webbing.

To make it even more complicated 334.10(2) prohibits NM cable in type I and II, would this be considered type I or II since interior walls are not concrete?

I am so darn confused about this whole topic and the way I've been dealing with it is by trying to fish armor cabling behind the wall and destroying the openings and drywall just to be safe because I feel like anyone can penetrate the drywall and hit a cable. I would hate for someone to get hurt because I've violated the code but it's so unclear.

Please help!



 
The way I see it you can either run a raceway on the surface or cut the wall open and run it concealed. Where you cross the furring strips you will need the nail plates. 7' isn't that far to run.
 
infinity said:
The way I see it you can either run a raceway on the surface or cut the wall open and run it concealed. Where you cross the furring strips you will need the nail plates. 7' isn't that far to run.
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I agree. But the part that concerns me is...
Cybatrex said:
...The only space that you have available to you is between the Drywall and the Masonary wall which is only a quarter of an inch. ...
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Those must be some pretty thin furring strips... ;)
 
Smart $ said:
I agree. But the part that concerns me is...
​
Those must be some pretty thin furring strips... ;)
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I've seen drywallers use strips of plywood and do this. Not sure why because for all that effort they might of well have laminated it straight to the wall. If it is only one outlet, I would notch at the furring strips, plate them then chisel in a peanut box.
 
You can also drill thru the back of the existing outlet and run surface mounted conduit along the surface of the exterior side of the dwelling using proper listed for use boxes or fittings. Might look nicer over on that side depending.....
 
Remove the baseboard moulding and the bottom edge of the drywall/plaster if it goes to the floor.
Cut a path through any furring in the way.
Fish the cable down from the existing recep, across and up to the new location. I see no reason why NM can't be used.
(A diamond saw on an angle grinder cuts box holes in block very nicely.)
Put nailing plates over furring.
Replace baseboard moulding.

If you are lucky, the moulding will come off without breaking. If not replace with similar style and repaint.
 
readydave8 said:
yuck
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This place don't change. There is nothing unusual to see conduit run horizontally on the exterior side of buildings. See it everywhere. It's Florida and they have bushes in Florida. So you might not be able to see it at all. I'll send the bill for coming up with the most effective, cheapest solution that the people inside the room don't have to look at. I bet Mike Holt would totally approve of my solution given we use the proper fittings for the exterior.
 
macmikeman said:
This place don't change. There is nothing unusual to see conduit run horizontally on the exterior side of buildings. See it everywhere. It's Florida and they have bushes in Florida. So you might not be able to see it at all. I'll send the bill for coming up with the most effective, cheapest solution that the people inside the room don't have to look at. I bet Mike Holt would totally approve of my solution given we use the proper fittings for the exterior.
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Thanks, I see your point
 
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