jmellc
Senior Member
- Location
- Durham, NC
- Occupation
- Facility Maintenance Tech. Licensed Electrician
I'm doing a bid for an apartment house remodel, 7 apts, 3 floors and full basement. Getting a bit frustrated with all the details allowed/disallowed, etc. But I need the job and am trying to stick with the figuring.
Notes spell out that all circuits should be in conduits, unless NM or MC is allowed by NEC. Plans do not specify if building is type III, IV or V, not that I see yet. But 334.10(2) allows NM in multifamily dwellings of type III, IV or V. I don't have NFPA's other books at the moment and don't remember the criteria for these classifications. Does anyone else have that handy? Article 330 allows MC for any use I have seen in the building. Notes do specify a conduit for homeruns and for some of the phone boxes, etc. So I know to use them there. If I see no other notes, I will call chief inspector for his advice.
Also, fixture schedule specifies a few of the lights, but marks the others as "owner selected". Gives descriptions, but I have to search them out and provide cut sheets for owner/architect approvals. This makes no sense to me. Don't think I ever saw it before on prints. I've seen them spec'd with notes, "or equal", etc. Why not specify brands to start with? They paid an electrical engineer to do the prints, why wouldn't he spec things out?
I'm calling someone at a local lighting rep. Hopefully, he can give me the written info I need. Otherwise, I'll spend days at a time calling and getting nowhere. I foresee everyone asking me why I don't have specific info and telling me they have no answers.
Anyone else find these tripping blocks aggravating? Supposedly, the engineer is smarter than me. Why not just tell me what he wants to start with? Or am I too simple minded? Seems to everyone's advantage. Then the bids would come closer to being figured on the same basis with same materials.
Notes spell out that all circuits should be in conduits, unless NM or MC is allowed by NEC. Plans do not specify if building is type III, IV or V, not that I see yet. But 334.10(2) allows NM in multifamily dwellings of type III, IV or V. I don't have NFPA's other books at the moment and don't remember the criteria for these classifications. Does anyone else have that handy? Article 330 allows MC for any use I have seen in the building. Notes do specify a conduit for homeruns and for some of the phone boxes, etc. So I know to use them there. If I see no other notes, I will call chief inspector for his advice.
Also, fixture schedule specifies a few of the lights, but marks the others as "owner selected". Gives descriptions, but I have to search them out and provide cut sheets for owner/architect approvals. This makes no sense to me. Don't think I ever saw it before on prints. I've seen them spec'd with notes, "or equal", etc. Why not specify brands to start with? They paid an electrical engineer to do the prints, why wouldn't he spec things out?
I'm calling someone at a local lighting rep. Hopefully, he can give me the written info I need. Otherwise, I'll spend days at a time calling and getting nowhere. I foresee everyone asking me why I don't have specific info and telling me they have no answers.
Anyone else find these tripping blocks aggravating? Supposedly, the engineer is smarter than me. Why not just tell me what he wants to start with? Or am I too simple minded? Seems to everyone's advantage. Then the bids would come closer to being figured on the same basis with same materials.