NM-B wire above a drop ceiling

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jrc0109

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Orlando, FL
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Can No. 14 & 12 NM-B wire be installed above a drop ceiling without it being attached to the floor joists above the drop ceiling?
Thank you.
 
Residential, or commercial makes a huge difference if you can even use nmb
Commercial no go
Residential don’t see why not, I know it’s allowed in drop but supporting means I don’t remember look under 300. Or what ever nmb article is I think 334. Or something like that. Don’t have book or I would help more.
 
NM uses not permitted: Exposed in dropped or suspended ceilings in other than one- and two-family and multifamily dwellings.

So you can run it above the drop ceiling in a residence. But I don't think you get to skate on the securing rules if you can lift the tiles. Fished cable doesn't have to be secured if there is no practical way to do so. Also don't think you can secure it to the drop ceiling tie wires or the ceiling grids. You'd need to secure to the joists or hang some support mechanism from the joists or floor above.
 
There was a thread about this not too long ago and there was a compelling argument made that the area above the ceiling is considered exposed so the NM cable needs to be installed as of it were exposed. That means supported on running boards or drilled through the joists above.
 
I am on the field it’s not exposed. You could say the same thing about the wire in the attic. Since there a scuttle hole to get up there exposed then.
It’s like “subject to physical damage”
 
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