NM stapled to bottom of joists above dropped ceiling?

[richwaskowitz]

334.15 (B) question. Isn't it permissible to attach (staple) NM smaller than 6-2 and 8-3 to the bottom side of floor joists (as opposed to bored holes) when there is a lay-in ceiling installed below? I just want to be sure before I go installing about 30 can lights in a residential basement. I contend that this complies with 334.15 Exposed and 334.12 Uses Permitted.

 

[cpal]

334.15 (C) is titled unfinished basements and crawl space you discription does not indicate that the area is unfinished. But the cavity is exposed if the tiles may be easily removed. Physical protection may be required per in (A) and (B).

 

[richwaskowitz]

Doesn't the dropped ceiling make the space finished? The walls are all finished, but I don't see what that has to do with protecting the cables in the ceiling.

 

[augie47]

Locally, as long as it's residential and as long as the area is finsihed, including proper placement of wall reeptacles, you are fine.

 

[AV ELECTRIC]

I have done this before. of course on a residential application but you may want to ask your inspector because it is a little fuzzy on the application . No sense arguing after you have installed the product.

 

[richwaskowitz]

AV Electric--- Good advice. So, are saying that you have stapled Romex to the bottoms of the joists above a dropped ceiling before and this caused no issue from the AHJ, or that you've simply done this before?

 

[shepelec]

See it and do it all the time here.

 

[jumper]

Have done it also, no problems.

 

[AV ELECTRIC]

AV Electric--- Good advice. So, are saying that you have stapled Romex to the bottoms of the joists above a dropped ceiling before and this caused no issue from the AHJ, or that you've simply done this before?

Yes I have.

 

[richwaskowitz]

I call that a consensus.

Thanks guys.

 

[jumper]

I call that a consensus.

Thanks guys.

Yes, it is a consensus that our AHJs and Inspectors say that the install is compliant to the NEC: however, you still need to talk to your AHJ/ inspector for his opinion and check for any amendments that may pertain. What is compliant in one location, may not be in another.

 

[mcclary's electrical]

Yes, it is a consensus that our AHJs and Inspectors say that the install is compliant to the NEC: however, you still need to talk to your AHJ/ inspector for his opinion and check for any amendments that may pertain. What is compliant in one location, may not be in another.

So true, and I've done it a few times. But I will say that I had an inspector try to tell me that was for unfinished basements only. I believe he had a point. BUT,,,I went on to tell him that simply adding a drop ceiling does not make the basement finished. It's not finished until meeting all the requirements of 210

 

[LarryFine]

I call that a consensus.

You ain't seen nothin' yet. :grin:


(I concur, by the way.)

 

[Den]

We couldn't do it here. I had to pull some out and drill it in on a rough in inspection.

 

[jxofaltrds]

334.15 (B) question. Isn't it permissible to attach (staple) NM smaller than 6-2 and 8-3 to the bottom side of floor joists (as opposed to bored holes) when there is a lay-in ceiling installed below? I just want to be sure before I go installing about 30 can lights in a residential basement. I contend that this complies with 334.15 Exposed and 334.12 Uses Permitted.

1st question. No.

Yes it complies with 334.15 (yes it complies with being exposed) & 334.12 (334.12(A)((1) takes you to 334.15(exposed)).

 

[LarryFine]

Oh, well. There goes our concensus. :roll:

 

[jimport]

Heck, if you take the sheetrock off it's exposed too. Maybe NM isn't allowed and the conduit gang is right?

 

[jb_04]

We couldn't do it here. I had to pull some out and drill it in on a rough in inspection.

We have to bore the holes here too.