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What's Wrong Here?

Jul 11, 2006 12:05 PM, By Joe Tedesco

Hint: Something is missing in this installation.

Someone forgot to maintain the fire resistance rating at this major hotel where these fire alarm cables were recently installed. All trades who install systems in buildings covered by the NEC must comply with the following rules:

300.21 Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion — “Electrical installations in hollow spaces, vertical shafts, and ventilation or air-handling ducts shall be made so that the possible spread of fire or products of combustion will not be substantially increased. Openings around electrical penetrations through fire-resistant-rated walls, partitions, floors, or ceilings shall be firestopped using approved methods to maintain the fire resistance rating.”
760.3 Other Articles — “Circuits and equipment shall comply with 760.3(A) through 760.3(F). Only those sections of Art. 300 referenced in this article shall apply to fire alarm systems.” “(A) Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion Section 300.21. The accessible portion of abandoned fire alarm cables shall be removed.”
800.3(C) Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion — “Section 300.21 shall apply. The accessible portion of abandoned communications cables shall not be permitted to remain.”
820.3(A) Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion — “Section 300.21 shall apply. The accessible portion of abandoned coaxial cables shall be removed.”
830.3(A) Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion — “Section 300.21 shall apply. The accessible portion of abandoned network-powered broadband communications cables shall be removed.”

For additional references in this area, see the 2005 NEC Index under "Fire Spread."