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NM Romex in a Commercial Building

My AHJ does not allow exposed NM in other than attics and crawl spaces/unfinished basements. It is possible that we are unique in that respect. We can do that because we are .....well, us. Chicago outlaws the stuff entirely.

334.15 Exposed Work. In exposed work, except as provided in 300.11(A), cable shall be installed as specified in 334.15(A) through (C).

(A) To Follow Surface. Cable shall closely follow the surface of the building finish or of running boards.

(B) Protection from Physical Damage. Cable shall be protected from physical damage where necessary by rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, Schedule 80 PVC conduit, Type RTRC marked with the suffix -XW, or other approved means. Where passing through a floor, the cable shall be enclosed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, Schedule 80 PVC conduit, Type
RTRC marked with the suffix -XW, or other approved means extending at least 150 mm (6 in.) above the floor. Type NMC cable installed in shallow chases or grooves in masonry, concrete, or adobe shall be protected in accordance with the requirements in 300.4(F) and covered.
 
It appears to meet code but frowned upon:( here, puts the AHJ making a determination on possible "physical damage?" In this case it is tucked in a corner and does not appear to be subject to physical damage, IMO.

Does the NM romex continue up the wall through a suspended ceiling? If so...see 334.12
 
It appears to meet code but frowned upon:( here, puts the AHJ making a determination on possible "physical damage?" In this case it is tucked in a corner and does not appear to be subject to physical damage, IMO.

Does the NM romex continue up the wall through a suspended ceiling? If so...see 334.12

It then goes up into a suspended ceiling where it runs 20' to a panelboard in another room.
 
It then goes up into a suspended ceiling where it runs 20' to a panelboard in another room.

There's the violation, the NM romex is not allowed above a suspended ceiling in a commercial application.
NEC 334.12 Uses not permitted (A)(2).

My guess is this circuit was not permitted.
 
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