Fire Codes and Furniture?

[AllLuc]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone has any knowledge of fire codes (in Chicago) with regards to furniture? Specifically with power-connected workstations in commercial offices? By power connected I am referring to table top group desks with a strip of power running across the top so multiple people at the table can plug in their laptops and work. I heard these are not allowed in Chicago but am unable to find a code that speaks to that.

 

[cda]

Welcome

I would say if it were manufactured and installed per the manufacture and electrical code it is legal

Not much different than laying a computer power strip up there

You cannot plug strip to strip

Am I missing something?

You can also call the local building or fire dept and ask the question in case there is some local thing

 

[cda]

Are you talking something like this

http://i21.geccdn.net/site/images/n-picgroup/30038005.jpg

 

[cda]

from an old post dated 05:::

peebee (Electrical)

8 Aug 05 19:28

Computer equipment cords are NOT covered by NEC 645.5 unless you're in a data center. I don't quite understand how everyone gets away with those power strips either.

For years, here in Chicago, they did not permit power strips. If they thought there was even a chance that computers would be installed, they'd require sufficient duplex outlets to be installed to support all the PC's and monitors. Then, about 5 years ago, they gave up on that and started allowing power strips.

Yeah, eveyone uses them (even me). But where NEC permits them is beyond me.

IEEE (electrical) Code Issues - Electrical extension cords.

 

[AllLuc]

Fire Codes and Furniture?

Thanks for the responses everyone! That's what I was thinking..how is it really any different that laying power strips everywhere? But seeing as I'm in Chicago, where the strictest fire codes are, I am second guessing everything.

This is more of what I was referring to. We are looking at a few pieces similar to this:

http://myturnstone.com/products/campfire-big-table/?gcsct=0ChMIqO2co6ieugIVSQLnCh1-aQAAEAU

 

[AllLuc]

Thanks for the response! That's sort of what I was thinking, what would the real difference be if I ran a power strip everywhere? But seeing as I am in Chicago, home of the strictest fire codes, I am second guessing everything!

This is more of what I was referring to. We are looking at a few pieces similar to this for a commercial office space:

Campfire Big Table by Turnstone | Turnstone