Running NMC on along ends of rafters....

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racerdave3

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Western Massachusetts
I have a homeowner with an older home, 80 plus years and he does not want me to drill holes through the rafters or joists in the attic because of concerns with weakening the structural strength of the lumber. What would everyone have for an opinion for running the cables in the attic? I was going to have the homeowner install a 2x6 nailed to the edges of the rafters and run the entire length of the house and use it as a running board to attach my cables to. This will be sure to give adequate physical protection. Any other thoughts for alternative methods on this one?
 
I agree with Jim, Unless he is using the attic for storage. My other opinion is that in an 80 year old house you would have true size lumber (a 2 x 4 is 2" x 4") I think you would have less chance of weakening that structure than you would a new house.
 
Well, this is a very usable attic, with access via a staircase. I am sure that it will be used for storage, I know I would certainly use it for storage if it were my home. You are correct in assuming the size of the lumber being used for joists. It is indeed full size lumber and in my opinion has more structual strength than anything you find today, but, the customer is always right, so if he is against drilling holes, I will accomodate him, but using a method that I can feel comfortable with and I think the 2x6 running board will be very suitable.
 
That might not be such a bad way then he can just continue across the attic with 2 x 4's and use it like furring strips and just lay plywood right on top of that.

now that I reread your first post. were you going to run the 2 x 6 on top of the joists like a furring strip and run your romex in between or were you going to put the 2 x 6 up higher on the rafter and staple to it?

Or you could steal my idea if it works for you : )
 
If this is an unfinished attic with access as you have mentioned, you will need to read 334.23, which refers you to 320.23. Installing the NM cable along the face of the flooring, wall studs and roof rafters has requirements that are to be followed, from the floor or joist, up to 7 feet, whether it is used for storage or not.
 
Cowboy, I was going to run the 2x6 on the bottom side roof rafter several feet up off the floor. I do like your idea, but it already has a "finished" floor up there. I just want to provide the most protection possible and I feel doing it this way is a better solution that running the guarding strips on the sides of it as indicated in the code. Pierre, to answer your post, I did indeed read the articles you mentioned. the height of the attic is maybe 6'5" to the peak, so the entire area would fall under the jurisdiction of 320.23. Jim, I agree with you 100%, I would not nail it into the roof rafters, especially since it has a slate roof outside. Screwing it is the prefered way to go, although I will suggest that he has the GC run the boards up there, makes things easier all the way around that way :)
 
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