Walked into a nightmare....But question about flex..

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Amon

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My company has started helping some other "EC" finish trimming some 4 story apartment buildings.

Main question is.. Romex through flexible metal conduit.. I understand that conduit can be used intermittently to protect NM..is it good enough for the flex to have a connector on it just jammed into the drywall? (That's what I am finding on the partially trimmed units from whoever else) What rules do I follow for strapping?

Apparently 4-5 other companies have walked or pulled their permits from this job... In first of 4 buildings I am seeing a stupid amount of bad work but obviously from different people. Make up sucks.. Its like polishing a turd..

Flex is being used to sheath the NM under the sink for dish/disp outlet..(single Circuit) and closets on blaconies that house AC, Heat, Water Heater which is cool. I just am foggy on where the flex meets drywall..

Thanks,
 
It's a sleeve for physical protection.

I have many times at rough in sleeved a piece of Romex with flex out of the drywall to air handlers/furnaces and the like. If it wasn't done that way, what would be your method?
 
Amon said:
Apparently 4-5 other companies have walked or pulled their permits from this job... In first of 4 buildings I am seeing a stupid amount of bad work but obviously from different people. Make up sucks.. Its like polishing a turd..

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;)
~RJ~
 
According to 334.15(B) FMC cannot be used to protect exposed NM cable subject to physical damage unless it's considered by the AHJ to be an "other approved means". Around here many guys use ENT which seems to be acceptable to most inspectors.
 
growler said:
Why run away Forrest? If you help someone out on a job it's always time and materials. The permit is theirs so where is the down side. It's not your job, you are providing labor so the only problem is making sure you get paid.
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Exactly. Again I am not saying I am completely against the flex. It is getting land in to boxes with lock ring on one side..the other its jammed into the wall. Thats what I am wondering.. The strap is sufficient to keep it in the hole in the drywall?
 
growler said:
Why run away Forrest? If you help someone out on a job it's always time and materials. The permit is theirs so where is the down side. It's not your job, you are providing labor so the only problem is making sure you get paid.
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Because one usually has to inform the customer the last guy was a hack , and his work needs to be ripped out Growler

Of course, this is predicated on what sort of permit process any given locality employs

Consider, VT does NOT need a license for a one/ two family rental , BUT needs a permit/ inspection.

Yes this drives our AHJ's nuts.....:rant:

It also has provided more of a market for washed out apprentices snapped up by maintenance companies ,than that of bona fide licensure.

the customers end of this has ended up in the hands of our state attorney general so many times, they are considering changes.

these are not happy jobs :happysad:

~RJ~
 
growler said:
Why run away Forrest?
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romex jockey said:
Because one usually has to inform the customer the last guy was a hack , and his work needs to be ripped out Growler .

these are not happy jobs :happysad:

~RJ~
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These are 4 story apartment buildings in Denver, CO. These buildings are commercial. That means that permits will have been pulled by properly licensed contractors. They are at the trim out stage of work which means they will have already passed the rough inspection.

I doubt that the GC is very happy right now but he was the one that hired the earlier ECs and now he has to finish or fold.

So long as you get paid to fix anything that won't pass inspection what's the problem?

If I thought the flex was going to be a problem I would consult with the inspection department (AHJ).
 
infinity said:
According to 334.15(B) FMC cannot be used to protect exposed NM cable subject to physical damage unless it's considered by the AHJ to be an "other approved means". Around here many guys use ENT which seems to be acceptable to most inspectors.
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They think that ENT provides more physical protection than FMC??

Most such sleeving is done for looks more so than physical protection being an absolute necessity IMO.

Often I will put a 4x4 box on the wall and enter the back with the NM, then flex out to the appliance, usually with THHN/THWN in the flex, looks less hack and more pro, but I don't do tract homes for lowest bid.
 
infinity said:
Around here many guys use ENT which seems to be acceptable to most inspectors.
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kwired said:
They think that ENT provides more physical protection than FMC??
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I use ENT for garbage disposals and FMC from disconnect to water heaters.

Why you ask? Because that's what the inspectors are used to seeing.

If I moved to another areas I could have to change to whatever they think is right.
 
growler said:
I use ENT for garbage disposals and FMC from disconnect to water heaters.

Why you ask? Because that's what the inspectors are used to seeing.

If I moved to another areas I could have to change to whatever they think is right.
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I understand that logic.

But who in their right mind accepts ENT for physical damage protection?

Even says in 362.12 - uses not permitted, that it is not permitted where subject to physical damage:slaphead::slaphead:
 
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