Shockedby277v
Senior Member
- Location
- Michigan
Is there any reason NM cable can NOT be used in a soffit with can lights in a hotel? Code article? TIA
NM in soffit in a hotel
- Thread starter Shockedby277v
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
It all depends on how the building is classified. Look at 334.10
Shockedby277v
Senior Member
- Location
- Michigan
I believe it is being treated as 334.10 (3) and not (1) or (2). We are running NM throughout the entire building and is 99% wood struture with very little steel structural. I believe I am good in the soffit.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
Is it within at least a 15 minute finish rating?
As mentioned if in an assembly area then definitely no.
david
Senior Member
- Location
- Pennsylvania
And hopefully not above a suspended ceiling
packersparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- Inspector
If the building is nonrated construction NM cable is allowed in places of assembly. See 518.4(B)
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
Probably going to be an old building for that to come into play.
david
Senior Member
- Location
- Pennsylvania
If the building has sprinklers it could be allowed non- fire rated construction happens a lot
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
I guess I can see that.
Not seeing it around where I live. Sprinklers are not going into existing structures as a general rule. New buildings or additions, yes.
Older school buildings you are seeing it some, often the sprinklers are somewhat a way out of dealing with other issues presented by fire officials.
With the schools there are older buildings they know they may be forced to change something someday and are working on possible future plans for remodeling, building new, or even in some small communities closing and merging with other community school systems.
packersparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- Inspector
Many hotels are built using Type V non-rated construction.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
And have sprinklers, right?
packersparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- Inspector
Most likely, but 334.10 does not mention sprinklers just building type. Here apartment buildings with 20 or less units do not need sprinklers, yet NM cable can be used if the building type allows it.
peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
Rodents love soffits. For that reason alone I wouldn't use NM cable.
- Status