PVC Underground

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jonny1982

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If running PVC underground I believe it has to be 18 inches below finish grade. What if it is comming out of a building (a hospital perhaps) 12 inches below grade right at the outside wall. Can the PVC then be offset to 18 inches below grade and still be within NEC? The total run would be 18 inches below grade except for about 2 feet of the pipe where it offsets down.

Thanks in advance!
 
Our inspectors over here wouldn't give us too much trouble over that. That said, I usually try to hit the proper burial depth before I leave the perimeter of the building.
 
Cow said:
Our inspectors over here wouldn't give us too much trouble over that. That said, I usually try to hit the proper burial depth before I leave the perimeter of the building.
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I wonder if worst case scenario, that section of conduit could be encased in concrete. Because then I believe it is 4" below grade to top of pipe?

Thanks.
 
the Q is written as if its not done yet. so why cant you get to 18" leaving the building?
 
jonny1982 said:
I wonder if worst case scenario, that section of conduit could be encased in concrete. Because then I believe it is 4" below grade to top of pipe?

Thanks.
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There is a condition that says below 2 inches of concrete, but nothing in the table about encased in concrete. I suppose encased in 2 inches still puts you under 2 inches though. Quite honestly don't see what difference it makes if there is 4,6,12, or even 18 inches of dirt on top of the concrete. Concrete pretty well protects it from hand digging, but get power machines for excavating and 2 inches only protect you from the smaller machines like little walk behind trenchers or gardening tillage equipment. Mid sized mini excavator is very capable of damaging it at any of those depth's.
 
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