NM cable in a tacoria

[pipe_bender]

My boss was awarded a bid a while back for a new restaurant (tacoria) based on a preliminary plans and the bid includes NM cable when run in walls, EMT/MC exposed.
The approved plans from the city says in red ink something to the effect the occupant load is just over 100 persons like 105 or something. It says 'additional code requirements may apply for electrical, mechanical and plumbing', and I take that to mean article 518 applies and NM cable is not allowed?
Its a open plan space, but it wont be full of tables, If I count the tables on the plans the seating accommodates 76 guests, there is a kitchen in back.
They would certainly not want to delay more by revising the plans to lower the occupant limit but they never stated on the original plans the occupant load, so does this mean article 518 applies?
When does article 518 apply? and how is an electrician to know this?

 

[augie47]

518.1 Scope. Except for the assembly occupancies explicitly covered by 520.1, this article covers all buildings or portions of buildings or structures designed or intended for the gathering together of 100 or more persons for such purposes as deliberation, worship, entertainment, eating, drinking, amusement, awaiting transportation, or similar purposes

Occupancy is normally determined by the building codes taking into account the area, type seating, etc. There are formulas for making that determination so it's not based on hearsay.

There are situations where you can use NM in assembly occupancies and those are covered in 518.4. It is basically determined by the type of construction which can vary depending on types materials used and presence of sprinkler systems, etc.

Generally the architect and/or Building Official will determine if it is a Art 518 situation and if it is or is not fire rated construction as reference in 518.4(B)

 

[pipe_bender]

518.1 Scope. Except for the assembly occupancies explicitly covered by 520.1, this article covers all buildings or portions of buildings or structures designed or intended for the gathering together of 100 or more persons for such purposes as deliberation, worship, entertainment, eating, drinking, amusement, awaiting transportation, or similar purposes

Occupancy is normally determined by the building codes taking into account the area, type seating, etc. There are formulas for making that determination so it's not based on hearsay.

There are situations where you can use NM in assembly occupancies and those are covered in 518.4. It is basically determined by the type of construction which can vary depending on types materials used and presence of sprinkler systems, etc.

Generally the architect and/or Building Official will determine if it is a Art 518 situation and if it is or is not fire rated construction as reference in 518.4(B)

Thanks for the reply, I really appreciate it, now I know.
It was a rush job ahead of schedule did not have the time to research it and start making calls so I just used EMT probably took me a little longer and a few more materials but it was not much.

 

[kwired]

518.1 Scope. Except for the assembly occupancies explicitly covered by 520.1, this article covers all buildings or portions of buildings or structures designed or intended for the gathering together of 100 or more persons for such purposes as deliberation, worship, entertainment, eating, drinking, amusement, awaiting transportation, or similar purposes

Occupancy is normally determined by the building codes taking into account the area, type seating, etc. There are formulas for making that determination so it's not based on hearsay.

There are situations where you can use NM in assembly occupancies and those are covered in 518.4. It is basically determined by the type of construction which can vary depending on types materials used and presence of sprinkler systems, etc.

Generally the architect and/or Building Official will determine if it is a Art 518 situation and if it is or is not fire rated construction as reference in 518.4(B)

To add to what you said, generally the official occupancy determined by building official also can cause further determination of what construction types are allowed or where fire doors and other partitions that may make smaller occupancy spaces may be allowed or required.

It can be possible to have an assembly occupancy and non assembly occupancy in same building, chances are there is at least a 1 hour finish between them and automatically closing fire doors for doorways between the two as well for it to comply with building codes.

Hotels can be a good example. You may have some convention center on site, with construction around that that essentially makes it a separate building in many ways code wise, but an adjacent area is a totally different use and maybe even construction type. A little further down a hallway you run into guest rooms where some may actually be NEC qualifying dwelling units and maybe even wired with NM cable.

 

[pipe_bender]

To add to what you said, generally the official occupancy determined by building official also can cause further determination of what construction types are allowed or where fire doors and other partitions that may make smaller occupancy spaces may be allowed or required.

It can be possible to have an assembly occupancy and non assembly occupancy in same building, chances are there is at least a 1 hour finish between them and automatically closing fire doors for doorways between the two as well for it to comply with building codes.

Hotels can be a good example. You may have some convention center on site, with construction around that that essentially makes it a separate building in many ways code wise, but an adjacent area is a totally different use and maybe even construction type. A little further down a hallway you run into guest rooms where some may actually be NEC qualifying dwelling units and maybe even wired with NM cable.

Good info thanks for that I did found out today that commercial buildings here have a 'construction type' either type 2b or type 3 construction and there are other rules under 334 for romex regardless of 518.
I am not sure if romex can be run in a type 2B building at all.