Securing at the edge of the attic?

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tonyi

tonyi

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Running MC in an attic right at the far reaches of the trusses to avoid encroaching on a plywooded over storage area. Getting a staple or ordinary strap on the stuff in such a tight space where the truss is coming down to a shallow "V" is always difficult...along with roof nails in your head, f'glass itchie, etc :D

I could whack a short bit of wood verticle and trap the cable - create a "hole" through the "framing members", but that seems tedious, slow, and kinda crude though. A tie wrap around a nail driven in sideways, although apparently legal is seems even cruder...

Has anyone ever encountered something like a strap with a 90 degree down bent tab on it that could be nailed/screwed from the side of a truss where there's plenty of working room yet would still trap the cable on top of the truss member? That would be the perfect strap for this kind of situation it would seem.
 
Re: Securing at the edge of the attic?

I use left over romex sheathing from makeup strip-outs. One 360 wrap and staple to rafter or ceiling joist side. Used this method for over 30 years. Its free and works great for three bundling or large SEU cabling. Accidentally stepping on a cable that is cross-joist'd does not damage the cable insulation as does direct stapling.
 
Re: Securing at the edge of the attic?

330.23 In Accessible Attics. ...shall also comply with 320.23

320.23 In Accessible Attics.
(A)Where Run Across the Top of Floor Joists.


Not many people seem to know this requirement exists.

Pierre
 
Re: Securing at the edge of the attic?

Originally posted by pierre:

Not many people seem to know this requirement exists.

Pierre
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Pierre, I know that you are now an inspector, but from my experience, in the different states and jurisdictions that I've worked, it has been that this requirement, for whatever reason, is simply never enforced.
 
Re: Securing at the edge of the attic?

I'm well aware of 330.23. Since the access hatch in this case is more than 7' from the cable run and the plywood floor doesn't go all the way to the edge of the trusses I don't think 330.23 applies in this case. The cable top winds up at the grade level of the ply top anyway.
 
Re: Securing at the edge of the attic?

Tonyi check out the "or"

320.23 In Accessible Attics.
Type AC cables in accessible attics or roof spaces shall be installed as specified in 320.23 (A) and (B).

(A) Where Run Across the Top of Floor Joists.

Where run across the top of floor joists, or within 2.1 m (7 ft) of floor or floor joists across the face of rafters or studding, in attics and roof spaces that are accessible, the cable shall be protected by substantial guard strips that are at least as high as the cable. Where this space is not accessible by permanent stairs or ladders, protection shall only be required within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the nearest edge of the scuttle hole or attic entrance.
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Re: Securing at the edge of the attic?

Our AHJ`S stand fast on the 6/7 ft. rule but come on when in the lowest part of the trusses.About 25 years ago I was working around Orlando and at the time i think if my fading memory serves me that if over 39 in or so that had to be protected.We ran the rat runners and 90`d off from there.How is someone going to step on nm/ac whatever in 7 to 9 in of space ;)
 
Re: Securing at the edge of the attic?

Originally posted by a.wayne3@verizon.net:
About 25 years ago I was working around Orlando and at the time i think if my fading memory serves me that if over 39 in or so that had to be protected.
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I believe you are refering to the old 42" rule. This rule was still in effect right up to the adoption of the 99' code in the Orlando area.
 
Re: Securing at the edge of the attic?

Thanks Bryan that`s what it was.
 
Re: Securing at the edge of the attic?

How should one interpret this part of the code? Assuming cables run perpendicular to joists, I've heard some say 1x strips either side of the wires, others say run the cables along a 2x strip with 2x4 walls on either side. The motivation for the latter I guess is in case someone accidentally steps between the joists and onto the cables...
 
Re: Securing at the edge of the attic?

The protection board has to be at the least the height of the cable assys.Still silly to protect them when in an area that a midget couldnt get into crawling thru an attic.Just because within 6 ft.But it`s in the code so we comply.Still a waste of labor.JMHO :D
 
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