David Butler
New member
what is wrong with installing PVC inside a wall for low voltage cable instead of EMT? Is it OK to use PVC as a sleeve with fire stop instead of EMT. These questions are for hospital installation.
PVC Pipe
- Thread starter David Butler
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chris kennedy
Senior Member
- Location
- Miami Fla.
- Occupation
- 60 yr old tool twisting electrician
How would that make a difference when the OP seems to be dealing with VD FA ect?roger said:
Sounds like a fire stop question.
You would have to check with your local Authority having jurisdiction on the PVC codes, but as long as the fire rating of the structure is maintained it should meet code. PVC products are abundant in Hospitals since they don't have plenum spaces. But remember that in Hospitals most evacuation zones / Smoke compartments have 2-3 hour ratings, since the Hospital is one of the only sbuildings that does not evacuate people in the event of a Fire.
When you run a *lot* of low voltage wiring in a large building and that wire is not "shielded" by metal conduit or shielding around the wire, WEIRD things happen!
Basically you have miles of wiring going to some electronic gizmo. This wiring acts as an "antenna" picking up stray voltages, cell phone transmissions, and all sorts of other electrical interference. (Like that noise you get on your AM car radio when driving under an electric line.)
Some electronic "gizmos" are well designed and will have no problem with this. Others are not so well designed and will repeatedly fail, break, and have "mysterious" problems.
Then in a hospital there are some very sensitive electronic devices to boot.
Basically if you want a quality trouble free hospital, I would advise running everything in metal conduit - high or low voltage.
Same thing with very large buildings, warehouses, and even large retail stores.
A nearby lightning strike can wreck everything electronic if the wiring is not shielded.
Basically you have miles of wiring going to some electronic gizmo. This wiring acts as an "antenna" picking up stray voltages, cell phone transmissions, and all sorts of other electrical interference. (Like that noise you get on your AM car radio when driving under an electric line.)
Some electronic "gizmos" are well designed and will have no problem with this. Others are not so well designed and will repeatedly fail, break, and have "mysterious" problems.
Then in a hospital there are some very sensitive electronic devices to boot.
Basically if you want a quality trouble free hospital, I would advise running everything in metal conduit - high or low voltage.
Same thing with very large buildings, warehouses, and even large retail stores.
A nearby lightning strike can wreck everything electronic if the wiring is not shielded.
William1978
Senior Member
- Location
- N.C.
You might want to check you spec book for your answer because every hospital I've ever been on the spec book is a whole lot bigger than the code book. The spec book will tell you what type of raceway is approved for your project.
ches2443
Member
- Location
- deal island, maryland
When I work for a contractor. In new office bldgs., (on open walls) he would have us use pvc with cat#5 in office bldgs. alot. It was quicker and easier then emt. Put if we had to fish down existing walls, we would then use smurf tube.
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