Code Q&A

Jul 25, 2006 11:43 AM, By Mike Holt

Q. Is liquidtight flexible metal conduit (LFMC) permitted under the raised floor of a computer room? If yes, must it be secured?

A. It depends on what you mean by a computer room. If you are talking about an information technology equipment (ITE) room as per 645.4, the answer is yes. However, it must be secured in accordance with 300.11 [645.5(D)(2)]. Note: Power cables and associated boxes that are listed as part of, or for, information technology equipment are not required to be secured in place [645.5(E)].

If the computer room does not qualify as an ITE room, and the raised floor is not used for environmental air, the answer is still “yes” if secured in accordance with 300.11. But, if the computer room does not qualify as an ITE room, and the raised floor is used as an environmental air space (for air-conditioning) then LFMC can’t be used at all in this space [300.22(B)(1)].