Place of Assembly

[djz]

Was reading some past post (circa 2003) regarding the use of NMC (Romex) in a place of assembly, particularly a church or an auditorium. There seemed to be some mixed comments as to whether a room off of the main auditorium is classified as the whole church or auditorium.

Since I've been away from having my nose in the code book, is it permissible to install romex (lighting for sconces) or is the code specific about it being MC?

Thanks,

Dave Zumbo

 

[chevyx92]

Since I've been away from having my nose in the code book, is it permissible to install romex (lighting for sconces) or is the code specific about it being MC?

Not in the areas that are places of assembly.

 

[chris kennedy]

Was reading some past post (circa 2003) regarding the use of NMC (Romex) in a place of assembly, particularly a church or an auditorium. There seemed to be some mixed comments as to whether a room off of the main auditorium is classified as the whole church or auditorium.

518.2(B) Multiple Occupancies. Where an assembly occupancy forms a portion of a building containing other occupancies, Article 518 applies only to that portion of the building considered an assembly occupancy. Occupancy of any room or space for assembly purposes by less than 100 persons in a building of other occupancy, and incidental to such other occupancy, shall be classified as part of the other occupancy and subject to the provisions applicable thereto.

Since I've been away from having my nose in the code book, is it permissible to install romex (lighting for sconces) or is the code specific about it being MC?

518.4 Wiring Methods.
(A) General. The fixed wiring methods shall be metal raceways, flexible metal raceways, nonmetallic raceways encased in not less than 50 mm (2 in.) of concrete, Type MI, MC, or AC cable. The wiring method shall itself qualify as an equipment grounding conductor according to 250.118 or shall contain an insulated equipment grounding conductor sized in accordance with Table 250.122.
Exception: Fixed wiring methods shall be as provided in
(a) Audio signal processing, amplification, and reproduction equipment ? Article 640
(b) Communications circuits ? Article 800
(c) Class 2 and Class 3 remote-control and signaling circuits ? Article 725
(d) Fire alarm circuits ? Article 760

 

[iwire]

A building can have some areas that are places of assemble and have other areas that are not.

For example a theater may be a place of Assembly but the dressing rooms, restrooms and lobbys would not be and depending on construction type NM might be acceptable.

 

[infinity]

In the 2008 NEC the prohibition for standard AC cable has been removed.

518.4 Wiring Methods.
(A) General. The fixed wiring methods shall be metal raceways, flexible metal raceways, nonmetallic raceways encased in not less than 50 mm (2 in.) of concrete, Type MI, MC, or AC cable. The wiring method shall itself qualify as an equipment grounding conductor according to 250.118 or shall contain an insulated equipment grounding conductor sized in accordance with Table 250.122.

 

[raider1]

Also keed in mind 518.4(B) you might very well have an assembly occupancy built using non-rated construction, in which case you would be permitted to use NM cable. You would have to check with the local building department to see if the building type is a rated or nonrated construction type.

Chris

 

[jshaw]

From what I can see the use of NM depends more on the construction type then it does on the type of occupancy. As long as that place of assembly is a type III, IV, or V construction NM would be permissable.

 

[raider1]

From what I can see the use of NM depends more on the construction type then it does on the type of occupancy. As long as that place of assembly is a type III, IV, or V construction NM would be permissable.

Take a look at Article 518, specifically 518.4 this Article has some specific requirements for assembly occupancys.

Chris