Residential Crawl Space

[BAHTAH]

Is there any NEC requirement, other than cable support for NM (Romex) cable installed in the crawl space of a dwelling. This is not an unfinished basement or attic where protection is called out in 334.15 and 334.23.

 

[wayne123]

Re: Residential Crawl Space

210.70(A)(3)states that you must have lighting under the house and near equipment(furnaces, pumps water heaters etc.).A switch is required at the point of entry also. I like to put a gfi recept near the equipment for service also.This is a requirement for outside and roof top equip(withen 25 ft.).

 

[wayne123]

Re: Residential Crawl Space

210.70(A)3C also

 

[BAHTAH]

Re: Residential Crawl Space

There is no equipment associated with this installation. I am looking for any requirement that would effect the installation of NM cable between outlets where that run would pass through a portion of the crawl space. This could apply to a feeder from the service to a sub-panel for example, where a portion of the feeder is run in the crawl space or something as simple as a run of romex between receptacles where the run is through the crawl space. As far as I know there is no code requirement for guard strips etc but only for proper support.

 

[iwire]

Re: Residential Crawl Space

Originally posted by grant:
This is not an unfinished basement or attic where protection is called out in 334.15

Protection is still called for by 334.15(A) for any exposed work.

If you have the 2002 Handbook look at the commentary after the definition of concealed.

They include "accessible underfloor areas" as exposed.

 

[BAHTAH]

Re: Residential Crawl Space

iwire, would you say 334.15(C) requiring NM cable to be at least (2)#6 or (3)#8AWG if you want to secure it to the bottom edge of joist, applies to crawl spaces or would you say since NM can be supported every 4-1/2ft you could install #12 across the bottom of floor joist in a crawl area without the use of running boards?

 

[iwire]

Re: Residential Crawl Space

For what it's worth I think that 334.15(C) is a gift to let you wire in unfinished basements without running boards.

334.15(C) In Unfinished Basements. Where the cable is run at angles with joists in unfinished basements, it shall be permissible to secure cables not smaller than two 6 AWG or three 8 AWG conductors directly to the lower edges of the joists. Smaller cables shall be run either through bored holes in joists or on running boards.

You installation does not sound like an unfinished basement it sounds more like accessible underfloor areas that the handbook describes as exposed.

If it is exposed you must follow 334.15(A)

334.15 Exposed Work.
In exposed work, except as provided in 300.11(A), the cable shall be installed as specified in 334.15(A) through (C).

334.15(A) To Follow Surface. The cable shall closely follow the surface of the building finish or of running boards.

So I think you have to use running boards or go up & down around each joist.

Bob

 

[a.wayne3@verizon.net]

Re: Residential Crawl Space

I agree bob if we can get under there to wire .then someone else can get there. subject to physical damage comes into play.......Just MHO

 

[pierre]

Re: Residential Crawl Space

This is where some kind of definition of physical damage would really come in handy. Depending on the type of crawl space, do you really think that the NM cable is in jepardy? The AHJ in your jurisdiction is probably the one to ask.

Pierre

 

[BAHTAH]

Re: Residential Crawl Space

Pierre, Took your advise and called the local AHJ. They consider the crawl space limited with respect to access and do not require any running boards etc, just proper support. Thanks..