Mechanics garages

[Hendrix]

I have a situation in that two different business are attached, they are both in the auto-truck mechanical business.
One side had a fire, but the other remained open. Now they are taking the roof off of the whole structure and the side that did not burn has lots of NM cable running in it that will be exposed to the weather while the roof is off.
The contractor does not want to replace the NM with MC. I think it would be mandatory to replace it.
All opinions appreciated (with ref. please).

 

[kwired]

Is your concern that NM isn't allowed in this application or that NM is being exposed to the weather?

Temporarily exposing it to the weather shouldn't be a problem.

Replacing it because it shouldn't have been there in the first place may be a more complex issue depending on circumstances. If I were the EC and wasn't touching it - it stays unless an AHJ orders something to be done with it, unless maybe it shows obvious signs of creating other hazards.

 

[Hendrix]

Is your concern that NM isn't allowed in this application or that NM is being exposed to the weather

Both.

 

[Hendrix]

Both.

I just went to the job site and what do you know, there was the perfect skeleton of a large rat with its jaw penetrating a piece of NM cable.

Now, that made a really easy case for replacing the NM. :lol:

 

[cowboyjwc]

Well, MC isn't supposed to be exposed to the weather either.

 

[jap]

I just went to the job site and what do you know, there was the perfect skeleton of a large rat with its jaw penetrating a piece of NM cable.

Now, that made a really easy case for replacing the NM. :lol:

Maybe that particular 1" section.

JAP>

 

[kwired]

I just went to the job site and what do you know, there was the perfect skeleton of a large rat with its jaw penetrating a piece of NM cable.

Now, that made a really easy case for replacing the NM. :lol:

But it makes a natural "rat trap" in a way.

 

[Hendrix]

But it makes a natural "rat trap" in a way.

And human. The wire was "hot".

 

[jap]

And human. The wire was "hot".

If the wire hadn't of been hot it wouldn't have been a trap.

JAP>

 

[romex jockey]

According to one local AHJ, if there was a significant building fire (not a partition fire) to warrant demolition, then there was significant heat to exceed the temperature ratings of most interior conductors, particularly those higher and subject to the most heat

I didn't argue with him....

~RJ~

 

[kwired]

According to one local AHJ, if there was a significant building fire (not a partition fire) to warrant demolition, then there was significant heat to exceed the temperature ratings of most interior conductors, particularly those higher and subject to the most heat

I didn't argue with him....

~RJ~

He was right, temp was possibly well over the typical 90C rating of many conductors.

How high the temp reaches and for how long has a lot more to do with how much damage may be done to that insulation though then just the fact it reached a temp beyond 90C.