Running NM Cable Through Concrete Beams, Similar

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Fladude38

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Hello, all.

I have a general question about running romex through beams. Is it allowed to be run through open air voids/drilled holes in concrete beams, block and similar?

I can't find anything regarding this but believe its covered under 334.10 (A) but I have co-workers telling me its not permitted unless its run through a conduit. The only thing I can find is if its within 1-1/4" of finish and subject to physical damage.

The scenario; I'm running cable through concrete beams, drilled out to 1/2" to run through. Its above finished ceilings and nothing is exposed. They are drilled in the center of the 18" beams and run from interior room to interior room, nothing in wet or damp locations. Would this just be in line with parallel beams and framing members?

I've heard quite a few "Opinions" but nothing in the actual code has been presented to me. Is this a case of "Since its not specifically covered, its not a problem"?

Any help would be appreciated. Its not a big deal but I'm a geek and like to know what the code actually says not just opinions.
 
When you say it is above finished ceiling what do you mean, what kind of ceiling finish and in what application residential or commercial?
 
Yes, you may run NM in contact with cured concrete. There is no NEC rule that requires a pipe sleeve in every instance of contact.

However there may be locations that it could be subject to physical damage and in those locations a pipe sleeve might be needed.
 
david said:
When you say it is above finished ceiling what do you mean, what kind of ceiling finish and in what application residential or commercial?
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Humm? I guess that was a vital piece of information I left out LoL!

Its a hard-lid (Drywall) ceiling in a single family dwelling. Its between floors with no means of access once closed up. The specific beam I am referring to is dividing two rooms and Not penetrating the floor. It was a former exterior wall but during one of the remodels there was a bedroom addition so it became an interior wall.
 
iwire said:
Yes, you may run NM in contact with cured concrete. There is no NEC rule that requires a pipe sleeve in every instance of contact.

However there may be locations that it could be subject to physical damage and in those locations a pipe sleeve might be needed.
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Thank you for your reply. That's what I thought. There is no doors or windows within 8' muchless 18", no access to the area when sealed-up and nothing I could see that would fit the definitions of physical damage. I've just had about 10 people tell me it can't be done without a sleeve and I've never read anything in the NEC nor Florida Building Code that would require such a thing. Three people's reasoning is that, since its not in the code its not allowed?? That in its own would severely restrict all electrical progress in the country LoL!
 
Fladude38 said:
... Three people's reasoning is that, since its not in the code its not allowed?? That in its own would severely restrict all electrical progress in the country LoL!
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NM cable is specifically allowed in exposed and concealed work ( 334.10(A)1,2,3 ) in one and two family dwellings 334.10(1) if the cable is running between framing members 334.17 and the cable is supported 334.30. The exception is uses not permitted in one of the categories in 334.12. Your use is not one of the prohibited used in 334.12. You may be thinking of 334.12(A)9 or 334.12(B)2,3 but those prohibit used when 'embedded' in concrete. 334.12 not apply to your case.

Far from 'not prohibited' your use is specifically permitted.
 
And assuming "fladude" is in FLA (Florida) that "beam" is likely a tie beam and in fact not a beam as in simple beam spanning something.

If that were a beam which were spanning something I'd be curious as to what's happening structurally with that beam. I think in this case that's a non-issue unless I'm incorrectly assuming the application here.
 
I agree with Iwire on this. We used to have an inspector require a sleeve going thru cinder block because of the rough edges of the block. It is really going to be an ahj call
 
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