Wireing thru seperate units

[Cavie]

In my years of wireinig, I was tought that you could not run branch circuits from one unit thru another unit in a mulitfamily dwelling. Such as A/C conductors. I inspected a project today that had 8 A/C branch circuits running thru the ceiling. If there is a fire in this unit you take out 8 other units A/C. Not to mention the safty hazard of the repair of the unit. No way to access the 7 other breakers to turn off the pawer. I cannot find anything in the NEC to address this. Is it in the Florida Fire Code???? Seems I remeber reading it years ago I just can't remember where.

 

[jtester]

You aren't allowed to run a service to a building thru another building per 230.3, but there is no similar rule for feeders or branch circuits. You could have a problem if there are rated fire walls, but based on the information provided, no violation.

Jim T

 

[Cavie]

This is a 16 unit condo building with 4 hour rated fire walls. I can't don't know if I am remebering a local code or a State fire code. Feeders are allowed thru units if in conduit. I'm saying the A/C circuits should be in conduit also. All A/C pipes were in the slab along with the thermostat and telephone and tv conduits, stubbed up in a comon wall and went up the the upper floors

 

[bphgravity]

There is no specific requirement in either the Florida Building Code or the Florida Fire Prevention Code specifying this issue. The only concern would be maintaining the fire rating of any membrane or through penetrations through the fire walls. These penetrations would have to meet the requirements of Chapter 7 (Section 712) of the FBC and be performed using an approved UL system.

In the event of fire, the utility and/or fire department will likely denergize the entire structure thus reducing the potential of contact with energized parts in any one unit or area.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

If it is a condo, the feeders would have to be run in the common parts of the building. Running through anything that is part of an individual condo would require an easement of some type.
Don

 

[peter d]

If Running through anything that is part of an individual condo would require an easement of some type.
Don

I think that would depend entirely on the laws of each state. In my state, a condo owner does not own the space between the units, including the stud cavities and ceiling cavities. In fact, I'm pretty sure they don't even own the sheetrock.

 

[Cavie]

I have not been able to find anything to back up my problem so I must let it pass. The Electric forman on the job is 100% on my side but the NEC is not so his boss says no.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Peter,

I think that would depend entirely on the laws of each state. In my state, a condo owner does not own the space between the units, including the stud cavities and ceiling cavities.

That is why my post said it would have to be in a "common area", or have an easement. If the condo owner does not own the space, then it is part of of the common elements of the structure. You would have to look at the deed or title, the condo association documents as well as the state and local property laws.
Don

 

[ryan_618]

This is really difficult. I am in the middle of trying to figure this out with my city attorney right now. The problem with an easment is someone has to own it. It can't be the utility, because feeders aren't utilitys. I'm trying to find caselaw and legal precedants that discuss this, but haven't had much luck yet. I'll pst when I can find something.

 

[allenwayne]

Not sure if this helps but we took over a complex that had 6 plex condos.All the services were on one side of the building..They all came out of the ground at the same time.For some reason they were not underslabed.I met with the city of Tampa elec. insp. and the building inspector,they decided that as long as we used rigid conduit thru the adjoining units and fire caulked the penetrations it was fine.The rigid was an extra so we fared well....