romex in strapped cieling

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elecmen

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NH
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Electrician
Is it still legal to run romex in a strapped cieling without driling through the joists? I know that its a New England state thing but is it still allowed in NH? Can a NH electrician chime in? Thanks
 
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A strapped cieling is what jusme123 posted a pic of. That is exactly what I'm talking about. Is it legal in NH?
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Why not? Looks good to me is the wire closet to the 3/4" board is 1 1/4" from it.[/QU

where do you see an 1 1/4" protection from a nail/screw if the board is only 3/4" thick, or am I obviously missing something (300.4). I really don't work with romex much, mostly pipe and mc, but I would have drilled holes for that romex in post #3.
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jusme123 said:
where do you see an 1 1/4" protection from a nail/screw if the board is only 3/4" thick, or am I obviously missing something (300.4). I really don't work with romex much, mostly pipe and mc, but I would have drilled holes for that romex in post #3.
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Read art. 300.%(D) carefully and you should see what I mean. I agree and I would drill holes but the NEC allows that install if you are 1 1/4" from the furring strip or the area where nails or screws are likely to penetrate.
 
It is perfectly legal as far as the NEC goes to run across the joists in a strapped ceiling. Just stay 1 1/4" away from the edge of the strapping. In MA as close as 3/4" is allowed.

There is no violation in that picture.
 
My only concern about the installation of the romex in the top photo is the holes drilled in the joists close to the ends. I've had GCs that have gone into hissy fits over this.
 
Split Bolt said:
My only concern about the installation of the romex in the top photo is the holes drilled in the joists close to the ends. I've had GCs that have gone into hissy fits over this.
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It looks to me like the joists in the top photo are sawn lumber. For sawn lumber, the only requirement that the IRC places on bored holes is that the diameter of the hole be no larger than 1/3 of the depth of the joist. There is no regulation as to how close to the ends the holes can be. Notches are treated differently and cannot be within the middle 1/3 of the span, but notches near the ends are not prohibited as long as they are not too large.

Now, if they were using I-joist type engineered trusses, we would have an entirely different story. In that case, the joist manufacturer's instructions govern and those instructions do frown on holes being close to bearing points.
 
iwire said:
In this area it is done to meet building code, once in a great while it will be shimmed.
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Why do you need strapping to meet building code?

I thought it was done partly so you could build interior walls after the
lid was on, e.g. so you can easily stand up a wall after the fact.

Also, looks like it makes wiring and plumbing supply lines easier, both
new and remodel.
 
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