Romex - were should it really be allowed?

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bjp_ne_elec

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I'm traveling and don't have the code book with me, but my son left me a voice mail. Walked in to a single story commercial building that has concrete exterior walls with interior walls that are metal studs with sheet rock. Opens ceiling up just to survey open space above ceiling to see how to get out of one of the panels and sees a spaghetti nightmare. Of all things, NM run all over the place. Even found a run of 100A USE cable strung through the metal roof trusses. USE cable doesn't even have a cable tie where it threads through the trusses. He estimates the building isn't more than 10 years old.

I don't think NM should be allowed in a commercial building like this, and definitely need to get with the AHJ. This is my first job in the town, so I'll see what the AHJ feels about the situation.

Anything new in the 2008 when it comes to where NM is acceptable or unacceptable? I'm picking up the Handbook this weekend when I get back to NH.
 
NM is not prohibited by the NEC to be used in non-dwelling units.

Starting in 2002 or 2005 it was prohibited from use above suspended ceilings in non-dwelling units.

So the install may have been code compliant.
 
Iwire - good point. The spaghetti nightmare is above the ceiling. At one point it was restricted to above ceiling if it was used as the air plenum. Are you indicating that is was banned above all suspended ceilings - whether air plenum or not? Do you have the section that deals with this.

I just did find a web link to 334.10 and 334.12 - but didn't see any mention about above suspended ceiling. It's clear that either a dwelling or non-dwelling, as long as it's three stories or less.
 
The height requirement went away, it's about the Type of construction now.
 
334.12 Uses Not Permitted (A) Types NM, NMC, and NMS Types NM, NMC, and NMS cables shall not be permitted as follows: ... (2) Exposed in dropped or suspended ceilings in other than one- and two-family and multifamily dwellings
 
bjp_ne_elec said:
I don't think NM should be allowed in a commercial building like this...
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What you describe is bad workmanship, not a reason for NM to be disallowed in a particular occupancy. I've lifted plenty of ceiling tiles to see the very same spaghetti mess with MC cable, and sometimes even on brand new installations.
 
Speaking of NM, my mom and dad are selling their house and moving to a smaller place. I walked through the house looking for things that needed fixing prior to selling. One of the things I noticed was a piece of Romex coming out the top of the panel board. Everything else is in some kind of conduit or flex, except this one piece of Romex.

It comes across the top of the panel board and then disappears above the drop ceiling. Looks like it runs along a rafter in the basement.

I told my wife she should have the guy she hired to do the little fix up things box it in so it is no longer exposed, as exposed romex would likely warrant a mention in a home inspector's report. Instead of having him just fix it, she chose to call the building department and spoke to the chief EI who told her that as long as it was coming out the top of the panel board it could be exposed.

I always thought it had to be concealed, or at elast protected, until it hit the ceiling.
 
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wbalsam1 said:
You've been up in my neck of the woods, eh? :D
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:D

I think bad workmanship is a pretty universal problem that defies any boundary restrictions. :) I'd be willing to bet that bad workmanship can be found in the places that use EMT for everything as well.
 
fireryan said:
I dont think I really understand all the building classes in the back of the nec. Its pretty hard to follow if you ask me
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The best bet is to look at the cover sheet of the building prints, it often says the building type right on the cover sheet.
 
I think it gets sort of sticky in hybrid buildings such as old make shift churches and funeral homes. Because often times people live in half the building.
 
I never understood why so many would be up-in-arms about using Romex in commercial installs, where you and your family will likely spend little time, claiming it isn't safe, but you're are most likely willing to bet your life on Romex when you lay your head down to sleep in your home every night.

A little overboard, I know, but I think you get my point.
 
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