NEC and Abandoned Conduit/Wire

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DM2-Inc

DM2-Inc

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Houston, Texas
Does NEC have any requirement for removing abandoned conduit, which does or does not have any wire in the conduit?

I'm ask because I'm expecting a debate to come up with an installation. The requirement is to replace an existing fire alarm system with a new system while the old system remains operational.

The client doesn't want to pay to remove the old conduit, wire, junction boxes etc. All he wants is to remove the old devices, control panel, and any exposed conduit, which might otherwise look ascetically displeasing. Wires would be rolled back above the ceiling into an old junction box and cover installed, but that's about it.
 
Does NEC 2008 actually require in all cases that the wires be removed from an abandon circuit or raceway? The only reference that I am aware of is in art. 372.13, but this article seems to be specific to cellular floor raceways.
 
If there is a rule to remove old wires then I don't know of it. Often times there are spare circuits run in conduit.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Yes, that is why I said wires and not cables- plus the OP was asking about conduit so....:grin:
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I don't see any where in the code that says you have to remove the old conduit. To me it is no different than having a spare conduit to use in the future. Now if it's a cosmetic issue, it seems to me that that would fall back on the G.C. or the building owner.
 
patriot said:
But 760.2 does not state it is to be removed. It's just stating that it is abandoned if not identified for future use. I don't think it has to be removed.
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760.25 Abandoned Cables. The accessible portion of
abandoned fire alarm cables shall be removed. Where
cables are identified for future use with a tag, the tag shall
be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved
 
jumper said:
760.25 Abandoned Cables. The accessible portion of
abandoned fire alarm cables shall be removed. Where
cables are identified for future use with a tag, the tag shall
be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved
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Thanks for the correction. What year code book did you get that out of? I've only got a 05 at home with me and 760.25 is NPLFA Circuit Wiring Methods.
 
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patriot said:
I don't see any where in the code that says you have to remove the old conduit. To me it is no different than having a spare conduit to use in the future. Now if it's a cosmetic issue, it seems to me that that would fall back on the G.C. or the building owner.
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Who said we had to remove conduit-- I didn't I was stating that since the op had conduit he was talking about ire and not cable. I stated earlier that there was nothing in the NEC that req. wire to be removed-- I'll add nor the conduit.:roll:
 
As far as NEC mandated removal of line voltage conductors the only ones I can think of are

ARTICLE 372
Cellular Concrete Floor Raceways

372.13 Discontinued Outlets. When an outlet is abandoned,
discontinued, or removed, the sections of circuit
conductors supplying the outlet shall be removed from the
raceway. No splices or reinsulated conductors, such as
would be the case of abandoned outlets on loop wiring,
shall be allowed in raceways.
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ARTICLE 390
Underfloor Raceways

390.7 Discontinued Outlets. When an outlet is abandoned,
discontinued, or removed, the sections of circuit
conductors supplying the outlet shall be removed from the
raceway. No splices or reinsulated conductors, such as
would be the case with abandoned outlets on loop wiring,
shall be allowed in raceways.
Click to expand...
 
iwire said:
I question the authority of the NEC or any code to force the removal of the owners property.
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I helped a HO replace his fuse panel with a breaker panel and there were NM cables that came from wall heaters. The HO had installed a gas furnace and didn't use the wall heaters any more but left them in the wall and wanted the wires left but not connected in the panel. He said he left them in case he sold the house and a new owner might want to use them. Anyways, I rolled the wires up away from the panel and tagged them for identification. When the inspector came he made me cut them way back, about 20' away, but not totally removed. I ask him why and he said so that whoever might want to reconnect them would have to go to some trouble to reconnect them. He never gave a code ref.
 
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