Installing CAT 6 Cable Above A Ceiling Grid

[north star]

$ ~ $

I have a small project where a single, CAT 6, fiber cable will be
installed from one Server Room in a bldg. in to another Server
Room, ...in a Return Air Plenum.........The single cable will pass
thru a fire rated wall assembly.........I will write an Amendment
to the original Scope of Work, to require that all "thru penetrations"
in a fire rated assembly must be sealed with an approved sealant.
The fire rated wall assembly is in a corridor......The building is
fully sprinkled.

The building owner will not allow this cable to be laid upon
the ceiling grid, but rather, ...has specified that the cable must
be attached to the bldg. structural steel or to the ceiling grid
wires that the support the grid [ i.e. - according to the NEC ].
I support this decision, but will need to be able reference
the correct NEC Articles when the contractor questions the
requirement.

Q1): What NEC Article or Articles require the fiber cable to
be attached to the building's structural steel, or will allow
the attachment to the ceiling grid suspension wires ?
The 2020 and \ or the 2023 NEC is the Code being used.

Q2): Do you have any input on the sealing of the "thru
penetration" other than sealing it on both sides of the
assembly ?

As always, any input will be appreciated !

$ ~ $

 

[Beniah Naylor]

2020 NEC 800.24, which also references 300.4 for physical protection and 300.11 for securing and supporting.

300.11 prohibits using the suspended ceiling wires for support.

 

[e hilton]

Doesn’t matter what the code section is, the LL has said it’s not acceptable to him. Every lease has ”building rules & regulations” that govern tenant buildout. And the LL has the right yo review and approve the planned work and can deny any part.

 

[north star]

$ ~ $

Thank you ** Beniah ** & ** e hilton ** !

$ ~ $

 

[Beniah Naylor]

CFS-MSL Modular Fire Sleeve - Firestop devices and sleeves - Hilti USA

Hilti Firestop devices and sleeves - CFS-MSL Modular Fire Sleeve - Modular fire-rated cable pathway for optimal flexibility, cable capacity needs and retrofit ability

www.hilti.com

Products like this are good for data because when the next guy comes through, he can just push more cables through without re-working the penetration (because they won't, they'll destroy the firestopping and leave).

Search Results - Fire Stop

submittalwizard.3m.com

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

IIRC, any wiring (including communication wiring) in a ceiling that is used as a plenum has to be plenum-rated, or be in metallic conduit or EMT.

 

[Msradell]

$ ~ $

I have a small project where a single, CAT 6, fiber cable will be
installed from one Server Room in a bldg. in to another Server
Room, ...in a Return Air Plenum.....

$ ~ $

Just wondering which is it? CAT 6 cable is metallic and fiber cable obviously isn't. Obviously make a difference the first how you run it but it certainly is two completely different materials.

 

[e hilton]

Just wondering which is it? CAT 6 cable is metallic and fiber cable obviously isn't. Obviously make a difference the first how you run it but it certainly is two completely different materials.

But they both have a “plastic” jacket.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

StackPath

Why and When To Use Plenum Rated (CMP) Cable - Waveform

Understanding Plenum and other NEC Cable Ratings

By Trent Crawford When you run cable through any building you first need to consider plenum spaces. Plenum spaces are the open spaces above the ceiling or below the floor that are used for air circulation. Technically, any ductwork is considered a plenum space too. These spaces are important...

sewelldirect.com

constructionHQ | Why and When to Use Plenum Rated (CMP) Cable

www.constructionhq.world

 

[north star]

$ ~ $ ~ $

* * Msradell * *, the request is to install one, 12
strand fiber cable that is plenum rated..........The
length of the install is approx. 110 - 130 ft. and
will "thru penetrate" at least one (1) fire rated
wall assembly.

$ ~ $ ~ $

 

[Msradell]

$ ~ $ ~ $

* * Msradell * *, the request is to install one, 12
strand fiber cable that is plenum rated..........The
length of the install is approx. 110 - 130 ft. and
will "thru penetrate" at least one (1) fire rated
wall assembly.

$ ~ $ ~ $

Because it's fiber the installers going to be much more careful about bend radius, how it's tied up etc. If it's not done correctly it could easily damage the fibers.