518.4(B) Recess Lights

[Francis Vineyard]

Church; 3-B construction; romex permitted but shall be installed behind ½ gypsum or equivalent and since it’s not a fire-resistance rated assembly then recess lights is not a rated penetration; correct?

Reference:

334.10(3) Other structures permitted to be of Types 3, 4, and 5 construction except as prohibited in 334.12 Cables shall be concealed within walls, floors, or ceilings that provide a thermal barrier of material that has at least a 15-minute finish rating as identified in listings of fire-rated assemblies. (italics added for emphasis)

334.12(4) In theaters and similar locations, except where permitted in 518.4

518.4 (B) Nonmetallic-sheathed cable, Type AC cable, electrical nonmetallic tubing, and rigid nonmetallic conduit shall be permitted to be installed in those building or portions thereof that are not required to be of fire-rated construction by the applicable building code.

Related discussion; http://www.inspectpa.com/forum/showthread.php?1210-NM-(Romex)-in-A-3-Occupancy

 

[Builder Bob]

No problem...... the NM (romex) is still behind the sheetrock until it terminates in the junction box for the can light. The romex is protected by the sheetrock. The romex does not extend beyond the termination point of the can light.

I do not see any issues with this installation if the NEC has this as an allowable use.

The termal protection of materials may be 'gauged" byt eh calculated fire resistant guide in section 721 of the 2006 ed. code -(we are stuck here until when????)

 

[raider1]

I'm with Bob on this one. As long as the NM cable is installed within a sheet rocked ceiling it would be permissible.

Chris

 

[Francis Vineyard]

Thanks for the answer and confirmation. This code doesn't make sense (and it doesn't have to) seeing what happens to can lights in a fire.