Metal detached garage

Joeb103

Member
Location
Massachusetts
Occupation
Electrician
I wired a metal garage with romex, rough inspection was fine. Finished the lighting called for final, electrical inspector said they could not insulate the building, there are 2 inspectors in my town is it the romex that’s the problem I couldn’t find the article that has the code
 

infinity

Moderator
Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
Is the NM cable going to be exposed? Did they cite an NEC code section that was violated?
 

Joeb103

Member
Location
Massachusetts
Occupation
Electrician
Is the NM cable going to be exposed? Did they cite an NEC code section that was violated?
The NM cable is exposed at this point, it’s supported correctly,the inspector is saying the walls can’t be insulated. I can’t find anything on that in the NEC
 

gadfly56

Senior Member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Professional Engineer, Fire & Life Safety
The NM cable is exposed at this point, it’s supported correctly,the inspector is saying the walls can’t be insulated. I can’t find anything on that in the NEC
You should break it gently to the inspector that we don't use knob and tube wiring anymore.
 

Fred B

Senior Member
Location
Upstate, NY
Occupation
Electrician
If the Rough wire was passed, At that point it is usual for approval to close walls is given (usually includes insulation). Has building class been changed to one that would prohibit NMB wiring? Is spray foam the insulation being done?(potential bundling issue). Sounds as if something must have changed related to or since the original rough in if it passed the rough. You have document for the rough wire passing the inspection? If so, Ask inspector what has changed.
 

Joe.B

Senior Member
Location
Myrtletown Ca
Occupation
Building Inspector
Could be a whole other issue entirely, not electrical at all. Could be the permit was specifically for an unconditioned space and that's why the inspector's saying you can't insulate, at least not without submitting a revision.
 

PaulMmn

Senior Member
Location
Union, KY, USA
Occupation
EIT - Engineer in Training, Lafayette College
Could be a whole other issue entirely, not electrical at all. Could be the permit was specifically for an unconditioned space and that's why the inspector's saying you can't insulate, at least not without submitting a revision.
Does insulating a garage (or other space) make it a 'conditioned' space?
 

Joe.B

Senior Member
Location
Myrtletown Ca
Occupation
Building Inspector
Does insulating a garage (or other space) make it a 'conditioned' space?
Not necessarily, but that could be the inspectors (or their boss's) opinion. Just giving an example of other potential reasons why they might have an issue with the insulation that has nothing to do with NEC. I'm not saying it's right though.
 
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