Ecmweb Com Sites Ecmweb com Files Uploads 2014 02 Nec Violations Stairwell

Code Clusters 3: What is Severe Physical Damage?

Feb. 4, 2014

Code Clusters is a fond look back at some of the most interesting and outlandish Code violations published in the pages of EC&M magazine over the past 15 years — the item below is the ninth in a series of 10. Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear your feedback! Post your thoughts in the box below. All references based on the 2005 edition of the NEC.

Joe Tedesco

Code Clusters is a fond look back at some of the most interesting and outlandish Code violations published in the pages of EC&M magazine over the past 15 years — the item below is the fifth in a series of 10. Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear your feedback! Post your thoughts in the box below.

What is Severe Physical Damage?

All references based on the 1999 edition of the NEC.

This electrical metallic tubing was installed on the stairs leading to the second floor. This installation violates Sec. 348-5, which states: “Electrical metallic tubing cannot be used where, during installation or afterward, it will be subject to ‘severe’ physical damage.” The term “severe physical damage” is used only in Chapter 3, Sections 318-4, 320-10, 321-4, 352-1(b)(1), 352-22(b), 353-2(b), 362-2(b), 363-3, 364-4(b)(1), and 365-7, Item 4. The other term “physical damage” is used in the rest of the Code.