romex in lay in grid cieling

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Came across a job that the inspector passed romex in grid cieling.Is this allowed since the return is ducted?Commercial build.
 
Re: romex in lay in grid cieling

Electricmanscott,

Article 334.12(A)(1) states:
As one runs in dropped or suspended ceilings in other than one- and two-family and multifamily dwellings.

I currently do not have at my disposal the Massachusetts amendments. What does the Massachusetts code state about this? Thank you for your time and effort.

Justin
 
Re: romex in lay in grid cieling

Originally posted by justinjwalecka:
Electricmanscott,

Article 334.12(A)(1) states:
As one runs in dropped or suspended ceilings in other than one- and two-family and multifamily dwellings.

I currently do not have at my disposal the Massachusetts amendments. What does the Massachusetts code state about this?
Click to expand...
2002 MEC
334.12(1). Revise to read as follows:

In dropped or suspended ceilings in other than
one- and two-family and multifamily dwellings, unless run so as to closely follow the surface of framing members, running boards, or the equivalent, or unless connected to luminaires (lighting fixtures) in accordance with 334.30(B)(2).
Click to expand...
 
Re: romex in lay in grid cieling

Iwire and Electricmanscott thank you.
2002 MEC

quote:
--------------------------------------------------
334.12(1). Revise to read as follows:

In dropped or suspended ceilings in other than
one- and two-family and multifamily dwellings, unless run so as to closely follow the surface of framing members, running boards, or the equivalent, or unless connected to luminaries (lighting fixtures) in accordance with 334.30(B)(2).

334.30(B)Unsupported cables

334.30(B)(2)
Is not more than 1.4 m(4 1/2ft)from the last point of support for connections within an accessible ceiling to luminaire(s) [lighting fixture(s)] or equipment.

Unless I'm interpreting this wrong the N.M.C shall be run so as to closely follow the surface of framing members, running boards or structure steel then droped to the luminaire(s) [lighting fixture(s)] or equipment as long as it is no more than 4.5ft from last support.
I have seen N.M.C installed above suspended ceiling in a major supermarket as branch circuit feeds. The N.M.C was supported by ceiling tie wire, bent into a generic cable hanger, that was not supporting the suspended ceiling. The N.M.C. was supported about every five feet. I realize that using the ceiling wire might be a violation in itself without the proper hanger made for cable support. Am I wrong in thinking this is incorrectly installed. At first I thought a supermarket was a place of assembly and N.M.C shouldn't have been used but was instructed otherwise.

Thank you
Justin
 
Re: romex in lay in grid cieling

CAUTION; the following is for MA guys only. ;)

The NM cable for the fixtures in the ceiling does not have to be run close to the building and can be supported by the ceiling tie wires if not part of a fire rated assembly.

The other branch circuits should be running close to the building surface and this is now getting enforced more.

There is no requirement that NM supports must be UL listed only that they are approved by the inspector.

We wire a lot of supermarkets and they specify the use of NM cable, they are getting away from that and going with MC more often.

While it is still code compliant to run NM it has to be done more carefully to comply with the requirement to closely follow building surface.

Would this store have a red & green traffic light on it's advertising? ;)
 
Re: romex in lay in grid cieling

Why was Massachusetts the only state with enough sense to ammend that stupid rule put into the 2002 NEC?
 
Re: romex in lay in grid cieling

the uniform construction code in new jersey
deleted section 334.12 (1) in the 2002 NEC
 
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