Temporary Facility

[cvirgil467]

We are designig a temporary facility used to display art work that can be moved form state to state. I'm just wondering what Article in the NEC would covert his. It's not a carnival, circus or fair.

Thanks.
C

 

[charlie b]

What kind of facility is it? How will it be moved from place to place? If it were a mobile home, the NEC would have something to say. If it were a truck bed, the NEC would be silent. If it has four walls, a floor, and a ceiling, along with a few doors and windows, but no permanent provisions for cooking and sleeping, then it is a commercial facility (not a dwelling unit). I think you would be free to design it in any way you wish. Article 590 has the relevant rules.

 

[cvirgil467]

It's approximatley 3000 sq.ft facility, 20'-0" high, place fo assembly. Since it is temporary, we are thinking we can use cables and chords for feeders and branch circuits but i first want to see what article this type of temporary facility would fall under.

It is being moved is sections and will be erected on site - fourwall, ceiling and a floor, icnluding HVAC equipment.

 

[tom baker]

In Washington State this would be considered a factory assembled structure and have to comply with our rules. I have a feeling the rules will vary from state to state, including building codes. I have never dealt with a question of this nature before....

 

[zbang]

Shades of "What's my line" here...

Is this unit intended for outdoor use, like in a parking lot, or indoor use, like in an exhibit hall? In the former, I'd start with manufactured buildings. In the latter case, I think a mix of mfg'd buildings and temporary wiring (527?), with a good dose of quality commercial practice. I wouldn't use cords for anything but interconnecting pre-fab'd wall or ceiling panels. Since you'll be in many places, I'd go as far as using mc or emt for most of the branch circuit wiring, since that's less likely to have problems with local codes.

One thing- if you have a hard ceiling, you may need fire sprinkers and a FA system. I've seen this requirement a number of times in trade show exhibit booths- over a certain floor area size, you need them, and of course it's different in each venue.