Place of assembly

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pulliteasy

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Hi again fella's
Got a question about the right and wrong in a place of assembly. Ok, the company I work for just built a 40'x 60' addition onto a church which will be used as a fellowship hall.There is a new kitchen,2 bathrooms several closets and a couple of offices and a large open area for tables or just what ever. There will be fire guard sheet rock in this addition as well. For the majority of the church the wiring is in conduit,however there is a added plug here and there that just has romex ran to it. The company license holder is planning on running all the wiring for this addition in romex. From what I have read in the code book this is a no no. I am not positive on the 100 people part but feel sure it will hold that many in the church. Please give me some code and why this is not good, or tell me it is ok? thanx again for your replies.
 
Re: Place of assembly

You appear to already be aware of the related code sections. The only question now is the actual construction rating of the individual areas of the occupancy.

This can only be answered by your state building code and what is shown on the approved plans. Consult your AHJ and the contractor to determine if the areas where the NM is planned to be installed is indeed nonrated.
 
Re: Place of assembly

Romex is not allowed in areas classified as places of assembly. I have wired appartments attached to churches with romex. A firewall was between the two. The appartment had its own subpanel fed with EMT through the church side.

It also depends on where you live.
 
Re: Place of assembly

Originally posted by sparkslord:
Romex is not allowed in areas classified as places of assembly.

It also depends on where you live.
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I don't think it has anything to do with where you live, unless you live in an area that does not recognize the National Electrical Code.

The key issue here is whether or not the church can be classified as a Place of Assembly as defined in the NEC. Obviously, a small country church with a congregation of 25 probably would not be classified as such.
 
Re: Place of assembly

We have electrically designed and built churches in the past, always in full compliance with code but in the back of my mind there is the question about the Separation of Church and State. Can the State really force a Church to comply with its electrical installation rules? It makes sense to me that they should but is it legal?
 
Re: Place of assembly

Are you kidding? Separation of Church & State means the state cannot get involved in church teachings or policy, or officially recognize or endorse any religious institution.

It does not mean a church is above the law or exempt from the law. Otherwise, there would have been no priests-touching-boys" scandal. It also means the church is protected by the law, despite the fact that churches pay no taxes on the income, donations, or property, it get's full cooperation from the police and investigators when they're stolen from or burned down.
 
Re: Place of assembly

With Lawnguy They can do as they wish (within the law)inside the building. But the structure needs to comply with the building codes--All of them.

J.Lockard

[ February 04, 2006, 08:30 PM: Message edited by: jimkaki ]
 
Re: Place of assembly

For what it is worth and Ryan already quietly pointed out is that NM is prohibited from certain areas of places of assembly but not the entire building.

The area(s) where you have more than 100 people assembled it is prohibited, another area (assuming fire rated walls) like offices, bathrooms etc. NM may be allowed.

[ February 05, 2006, 06:48 AM: Message edited by: iwire ]
 
Re: Place of assembly

Originally posted by david:
NM cable is also not allowed in the unfinished attic of your church 334.10 (C)
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David can you explain why that is?

How do you know the construction type of the attic?
 
Re: Place of assembly

Building codes require access to attic spaces.
This keeps coming up and seems to be getting blown over.
334,10
Is written in permissive language though the intent was to exclude NM in types I & ll. Permissive in that NM is allowed in types III, IV & V single family, two family & Multi family. Exclusive (only allowed in concealed spaces) in types III, IV & V other structures (other then single, two & multi family dwelling. There is no question that this general provision only allows exposed runs of NM cable in single, two and multifamily dwellings

edited to replace (There is no question that this general provision only allows exposed runs of NM cable in I, II and multifamily dwellings)

[ February 05, 2006, 07:39 AM: Message edited by: david ]
 
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