Regarding 334 and Type-NM wire in a 4 story apartment.

[CelectricB]

I'm having trouble determining whether the NEC prohibits the use of Type-NM wire in a 4 story apartment renovation. Because it's 4 stories tall, the building is classified at commercial, and a coworker of mine feels the Type-NM is not used in commercial buildings. Anyone have insight or experience with this?

 

[roger]

It can be used in commercial buildings but be careful above suspended ceilings.

Roger

 

[Fred B]

Some local municipalities may restrict use of NM in otherwise compliant applications. So might need to inquire of the local building codes office to learn of any local restrictions. .

 

[tom baker]

See 334.12 (1)
What it comes down to the building type construction, see Annex E.
The building type construction should be on the plans, probably the cover sheet

 

[romex jockey]

they did away with the 3 story deal a while ago, apparently some FF was able to rappel down to earth , save the puppy, etc....~RJ~

 

[roger]

Some local municipalities may restrict use of NM in otherwise compliant applications. So might need to inquire of the local building codes office to learn of any local restrictions. .

Fred, if a local municipality has adopted the NEC (this thread is in the NEC forum) they must allow it or post formal amendments publicly. If they want their own electrical code then they need to provide it for those working under it.

Roger

 

[tom baker]

they did away with the 3 story deal a while ago, apparently some FF was able to rappel down to earth , save the puppy, etc....~RJ~

I was at the NFPA meeting in Long Beach where the proposal for eliminating the 3 story limit was voted on. Both sides had gotten supporters to join the NFPA just to give testimony - long lines of both sides. NFPA changed the rules to prevent that.

 

[romex jockey]

Fred, if a local municipality has adopted the NEC (this thread is in the NEC forum) they must allow it or post formal amendments publicly. If they want their own electrical code then they need to provide it for those working under it.

Roger

nothing quite lie the clarity and transparency of regulatory bureaucracy Roger ~RJ~

 

[romex jockey]

I was at the NFPA meeting in Long Beach where the proposal for eliminating the 3 story limit was voted on. Both sides had gotten supporters to join the NFPA just to give testimony - long lines of both sides. NFPA changed the rules to prevent that.

Any insight on the rationale Tom?

~RJ~

 

[don_resqcapt19]

See 334.12 (1)
What it comes down to the building type construction, see Annex E.
The building type construction should be on the plans, probably the cover sheet

It is the type of construction that the building code requires, and not necessarily what the actual construction type is. For example if the building code would permit the multifamily dwelling to be Type III building but they built it as a Type I or II, there would be no restrictions on the use of NM.