Rough in Timing

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pjem2364

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Is there somewhere in the NEC where it states a building has to be weather tight before rough in can begin? Our local inspectors require the roof to be on and windows in before we can begin rough in.

[ February 15, 2006, 07:38 AM: Message edited by: pjem2364 ]
 
Re: Rough in Timing

No, this is not an NEC issue. Your local building department may have this policy as apart of their administrative practices. If so, there is not much you can do except perhaps obatin a variance if absoultely needed.
 
Re: Rough in Timing

Yes, 110.11 states "Equipment identified only as ?dry locations,? ?Type 1,? or ?indoor use only? shall be protected against permanent damage from the weather during building construction."

That is usually interpreted as, get the roof on and the doors in before roughing electrical.
 
Re: Rough in Timing

"Location, Dry. A location not normally subject to dampness or wetness. A location classified as dry may be temporarily subject to dampness or wetness, as in the case of a building under construction."

This seems to say that a temporarily-exposed-to-weather location still qualifies as dry, and wiring should not have to wait for weather-tightness to be done. In other words, as long as the location will be dry under use, it need not be dry during construction.

I'd add that one or two exposures to rain should not cause any permanent damage to NM cable and/or non-metallic boxes. I'm sure we've all had a roll of NM get wet before without throwing the entire roll into the jobsite dumpster.

[ February 15, 2006, 08:27 AM: Message edited by: LarryFine ]
 
Re: Rough in Timing

Originally posted by pjem2364:
Is there somewhere in the NEC where it states a building has to be weather tight before rough in can begin? Our local inspectors require the roof to be on and windows in before we can begin rough in.
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I vote we add this to the list of old wives tales. There is nothing in MA requiring the building to be weathertight. Although I did have an inspector refuse to inspect a rough last summer until some backordered windows were in. :)
 
Re: Rough in Timing

Have you ever seen a home wired that was not dried in and it pours down raining.I wouldn`t want that house.
 
Re: Rough in Timing

Wow. I thought I had this one in the bag. Didn't see much to argue with the section I cited. I can see where the term "permanent damage" can be construed to mean that even if an installation gets soaked it doesn't necessarily mean it's permanently damaged.

I guess I'll hang in and watch for more responses. :)

I've always been threatened with death and destruction if I started a house without a roof. I've not complained. :p
 
Re: Rough in Timing

Originally posted by allenwayne:
Have you ever seen a home wired that was not dried in and it pours down raining.I wouldn`t want that house.
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Yeah! Have you ever seen a house after the rain that freezes during the night? Lotsa ice and snow through the ridge vent and missing windows.

We now wait until the house is closed up weathertight.

[ February 15, 2006, 10:01 PM: Message edited by: tshea ]
 
Re: Rough in Timing

Just remembered, we were roughing in a house last week. Roof on, shingled, windows in and sided. Monday morning house was filled with snow. Guys cleaning/ sweeping Saturday opened almost every window to throw out trash and let dust escape. Wouldn't have been much worse if roof wasn't on. Now what?
 
Re: Rough in Timing

In Va., the Virginia Uniform State Building Code only requires the roof to be covered, even if it is only the underlayment paper covering.

We actually had an inspector fail a 10Ksqft house because it had no windows or doors and was completely wired, but the cover paper was on. We have been having oodles of rain here. I bet when he went back he was looking for the slightest tear in the ridgeline. :D
 
Re: Rough in Timing

Rain, what is rain? :confused: Hmmmmm?

Here in Oklahoma we used to get rain. I seem to remember late last summer, some water fell from the sky. Them wild fires are everywhere.

Maybe that's why we can wire a house with just the felt paper on the roof, but no doors or windows.


*Sniff* Does anybody else smell smoke?
 
Re: Rough in Timing

Thanks to everyone for the replys, it is interesting to see that VT is not the only state with this problem. Having read this information, I would encourage all to read the definition of a dry location. It would seem to me that a building under construction is classified as a dry location, which would allow for any wiring method to be installed at any time. It does not say it only becomes a dry location once the roof is on or the windows are in.

I would also direct your attention to the section on uses permited for MC cable. You will note it is permitted for use in a wet location. For commercial projects, this is a great thing.
 
Re: Rough in Timing

Originally posted by j_erickson:
Originally posted by georgestolz:
Wow. I thought I had this one in the bag.
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This isn't the first time. :D
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Yeah, no kidding! :D

edit:

Speaking of bad weather, Snow day!

No company vehicles are allowed out today. So y'all better keep me entertained! :D

[ February 16, 2006, 08:52 AM: Message edited by: georgestolz ]
 
Re: Rough in Timing

Yeah George. I carried a blue bandana nailed to a length of 1x2. If it got wet, raining too hard-go home. If it turned white, snowing too hard -go home. If it was horizontal, too windy- go home. You get the picture. :D
 
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