NM in Schools

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mortimer

third party inspector
Location
New England
Occupation
retired
Can Nonmetalic cable (romex) be used in schools? ........................................................................
 
In all the schools I've ever worked in I've never seen NM used, but that doesn't mean it can't be. Usually I see EMT used. Note that 334.12(2) limits much of the use in schools. Here is some of the applicable NEC text:

334.10 Uses Permitted. Type NM, Type NMC, and Type NMS
cables shall be permitted to be used in the following, except as
prohibited in 334.12:
(3) Other structures permitted to be of Types III, IV, and V
construction. Cables shall be concealed within walls,
floors, or ceilings that provide a thermal barrier of material
that has at least a 15-minute finish rating as identified
in listings of fire-rated assemblies.
(5) Types I and II construction where installed within raceways
permitted to be installed in Types I and II construction.

Informational Note No. 1: Types of building construction and
occupancy classifications are defined in NFPA 220 -2015, Standard
on Types of Building Construction, or the applicable building
code, or both.
Informational Note No. 2: See Informative Annex E for determination
of building types [NFPA 220, Table 3-1].

334.12 Uses Not Permitted.
(A) Types NM, NMC, and NMS. Types NM, NMC, and NMS
cables shall not be permitted as follows:
(1) In any dwelling or structure not specifically permitted in
334.10(1), (2), (3), and (5)
(2) Exposed within a dropped or suspended ceiling cavity in
other than one- and two-family and multifamily dwellings

(5) In theaters and similar locations, except where permitted
in 518.4(B)
 
I'm not sure if it's so, but I've been told here in NY that schools don't adhere to nec, state ed dictates all installation, I've heard from multiple maintenance workers from schools of a variety of "nec code violations" and when they questioned it was told that it was approved by state ed.
If someone has some factual information specific to nec - state ed conflict or if I've been given a "line" please clear me up, thanks.
 
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