What’s wrong with this?

Irving LaRue

Irving LaRue

Member
Location
Warrenton, Virginia
Occupation
Electrician Apprentice
IMG_3168.jpeg

Our MC is bumping against the sprinkler man’s pipe. I installed the MC before the pipe was up, but there was a hole for the pipe, so I should have known. I guess you could argue I should have known based off the prints.

Bossman says this is a problem. Superintendent says to re-pull the MC. Foreman says to use a mastic pad so they aren’t touching.

Why is the MC touching a problem? I’ve always just been instructed not to touch other trade’s stuff. Never been given a reason why. Super mentioned something about ferrous metals, but didn’t explain fully. Is there an electrical theory explanation for why my MC can’t touch this pipe? Thanks!
 
Sprinkler contractors are known to be premadonna's and may say something but it's not a NEC issue.
 
hillbilly1 said:
I think it’s in the sprinkler code, you can’t have data cables touching either.
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A large Architect firm whose projects we worked at times got fed up with sprinkler companies whining so they wrote in their specs "this contractor" (sprinkler) will yield to all others. When we got into BIM projects it also helped put them in their place.
 
hillbilly1 said:
I think it’s in the sprinkler code, you can’t have data cables touching either.
Click to expand...
I believe so, but also you can't "support" the MC with a water pipe, it needs to be independent of other systems and have. Even though the others system created the issue with their installation. Have this type of issue too many times with plumbing, and HVAC creating a violation post electrical install. Water and drains put in after the panel into the dedicated equipment space, Blocking access to a J-box etc.
330.30(A) General.
Type MC cable shall be supported and secured by staples; cable ties listed and identified for securement and support; straps, hangers, or similar fittings; or other approved means designed and installed so as not to damage the cable.

2025 NFPA 13
17.1.3 Support of Non-System Components.
17.1.3.1*
Sprinkler piping or hangers shall not be used to support non-system components.
 
Fred B said:
I believe so, but also you can't "support" the MC with a water pipe, it needs to be independent of other systems and have. Even though the others system created the issue with their installation. Have this type of issue too many times with plumbing, and HVAC creating a violation post electrical install. Water and drains put in after the panel into the dedicated equipment space, Blocking access to a J-box etc.
330.30(A) General.
Type MC cable shall be supported and secured by staples; cable ties listed and identified for securement and support; straps, hangers, or similar fittings; or other approved means designed and installed so as not to damage the cable.

2025 NFPA 13
17.1.3 Support of Non-System Components.
17.1.3.1*
Sprinkler piping or hangers shall not be used to support non-system components.
Click to expand...
The OP had installed his work before the sprinkler company so it's not supporting it. I would back charge if I had to rework already installed components.
 
The pipe isn't supporting to cable so there is no issue. The cable is touching the stud which is in contact with the pipe at the bottom so they're already connected together. If this really bothers someone then put a wrap of tape around the cable.
 
roger said:
The OP had installed his work before the sprinkler company so it's not supporting it. I would back charge if I had to rework already installed components.
Click to expand...
infinity said:
The pipe isn't supporting to cable so there is no issue. The cable is touching the stud which is in contact with the pipe at the bottom so they're already connected together. If this really bothers someone then put a wrap of tape around the cable.
Click to expand...

Agree to back charge and reasoning. But disagree as to supporting, it has the appearance of supporting if you look at picture, the cable it drapes over the pipe not just touching.
 
Fred B said:
Agree to back charge and reasoning. But disagree as to supporting, it has the appearance of supporting if you look at picture, the cable it drapes over the pipe not just touching.
Click to expand...
The pipe is running vertically in the wall so any appearance of the cable draping over the pipe is an optical illusion.
 
Fred B said:
I believe so, but also you can't "support" the MC with a water pipe, it needs to be independent of other systems and have. Even though the others system created the issue with their installation. Have this type of issue too many times with plumbing, and HVAC creating a violation post electrical install. Water and drains put in after the panel into the dedicated equipment space, Blocking access to a J-box etc.
330.30(A) General.
Type MC cable shall be supported and secured by staples; cable ties listed and identified for securement and support; straps, hangers, or similar fittings; or other approved means designed and installed so as not to damage the cable.

2025 NFPA 13
17.1.3 Support of Non-System Components.
17.1.3.1*
Sprinkler piping or hangers shall not be used to support non-system components.
Click to expand...


It’s a picture straight down the wall, so it’s not a support issue.

As far as the conflicts go, that is usually a GC problem. A GCs main job is coordination, quarterbacking the project, if you will. Any numbnuts can pick up a cell phone and call subs out of sequence, but a good GC will foresee hundreds of issues, and coordinate them.

And HVAC should be in first, then plumbing and sprinklers, then electricians.
 
The pipe is not supporting the MC because the MC was in place first. If this was a hot pipe like steam or HW it could be an issue but not with a sprinkler.

To me its a non issue. But I find it difficult to believe that you can't find a few inches of slack to get the cable a few inches away.
 
I'd just put some corrugated split loom wire conduit over the piece and tape it to the MC. The pipe is not supporting it and that will keep them from touching metal to metal.
 
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