PVC Conduit in Garage

[chicar]

Take time to check with the fire marshall in your area. I know there is a fire code about surface mounted p.v.c. because of the toxic fumes they omit when burned.

 

[mdshunk]

I know there is a fire code about surface mounted p.v.c. because of the toxic fumes they omit when burned.

In places of assembly. That's about it.

 

[SEO]

Hey, home inspectors create a lot of work for electricians. Go with the flow... it's to your benefit. If they call out otherwise legal double-taps, want to see a 60 amp service upgraded, or GFCI's added in a 1950's home, so be it. As long as someone agrees to pay for the work to be done, I don't care who "discovered" it in the first place.

I agree 100% as a contractor.

 

[RUWired]

Is PVC (Sched 40/80) an allowable conduit, according to current NEC, for surface installation within an attached residential garage space as an alternative to EMT?

Yes as long as not subject to physical damage. Then either schedule 80 or another type of metal raceway.

If OK, In it's use for general purpose lighting and receptacle circuits, and it being NM, are the rules the same as for EMT conduit (other than the joints having to be glued)?

.

Type nm cable is allowed, but the conductor fill, depending on the size of the raceway, is limited to just one cable. Same rules apply to emt as well.
Rick

 

[ivsenroute]

HI's do create work for electricians who should be grateful for the business that they get as a result. There have been many improvements and corrected safety hazards as a result of home inspections that otherwise would have still existed.

HI's just like electricians have varying degrees of competency. HI's are not considered "experts" in any particular area unless they are. An example would be a master electrician who retired after 30 years on the job and became a HI as a 2nd career. He would be an expert in electrical but probably not anything else.

Instead of judging others, be happy that you were called in as the "expert" to either confirm the findings of the HI or state that a problem does not exist.

Codes are rarely, if ever cited during a home inspection as that is not the purpose of a HI. Some reference them as a convenience. It is not the HI's job to specify repairs, just to report them.

HI's are in a problem industry and they have not reached the level of being in a profession. There is a difference. The same can be said about the electrical industry.

When you take on the liability of placing your professional opinion on your letterhead to the buyer then you will have a better understanding. Just giving a verbal opinion to a seller does not count.

Back to the thread. It all depends on what conditions exist in the garage and where the conduit is to be installed. Yes, this is too broad of a question.

 

[MVanB]

Yes as long as not subject to physical damage. Then either schedule 80 or another type of metal raceway.


Type nm cable is allowed, but the conductor fill, depending on the size of the raceway, is limited to just one cable. Same rules apply to emt as well.
Rick

Thank you for answering my question, I did check with the local AHJ and they will allow Sched 40 on walls above 60". Applications below this height require Sched 80 or metal raceway.