horizontal service entry

[bobbymari]

We just did a 400 amp service for an apartment building. Service is located in same location as old service under a carport. The first 12' or so are a horizontal run to an lb up the outer wall. Just had a buddy tell me an inspector made him form and encase in concrete a similar install since it was ran horizontally under a living area.( This was in the 80's though. Everything is surface mounted with about 12 inches in between conduits and floor above. Are there any code references that prohibit unfused wires running horizontally on a surface mounted install. I'm aware of running unfused wires through a dwelling. i/e attics but this isn't the case.. Thanks in advance.

 

[Smart $]

There is no prohibitive requirements to running service entrance conductors horizontally that I can think of.

I believe what is at issue here is the interpretation of outside vs. inside. IMO, under cover (carport) is not inside.

 

[bobbymari]

There is no prohibitive requirements to running service entrance conductors horizontally that I can think of.

I believe what is at issue here is the interpretation of outside vs. inside. IMO, under cover (carport) is not inside.

My thoughts as well. Buddys install was in subterranean garage which i guess one could call "inside"

 

[GoldDigger]

If an occupied portion of the building is above the carport you have the problem that anything under the footprint of the building is considered "inside" unless encased in concrete or an even thicker layer of earth.
And even if there is nothing above the carport, if it is attached to the building the same risk of upward fire spread followed by horizontal spread exists.
But an AHJ might allow that.

Tapatalk!

 

[kwired]

I
And even if there is nothing above the carport, if it is attached to the building the same risk of upward fire spread followed by horizontal spread exists.
But an AHJ might allow that.

Tapatalk!

I would have to argue that risk is not much different then a roof overhang being above the horizontal run of service conductor/raceway.

 

[iwire]

Inside outside will be entirely up to the AHJ regardless of how we may feel about it.

 

[GoldDigger]

With the only clearly stated factor being that if it is encased in enough concrete it is outside.
Not much the AHJ can argue about that one part.

Tapatalk!

 

[iwire]

With the only clearly stated factor being that if it is encased in enough concrete it is outside.

Yes, and if it was a feeder ..... but neither applies to the OP.