Hint: Forgotten firestopping.
The bundle of black cables is a bundle of coaxial cables for a community antenna television (CATV) system covered by Art. 820. The bundle of gray cables is a bundle of telephone communication system wiring covered by Art. 805. The giant hole in the cinderblock wall where all these cables pass through is what I want to focus on. Where is the firestopping? Did the installers forget? Did they not know it was needed? Or did they simply not care?
The general requirements for communication systems covered by NEC Chapter 8 are found in Art. 800. Section 800.1 indicates that the scope of Art. 800 applies to Articles 805, 820, 830 and 840. Section 800.26 requires openings around cables penetrating through fire-resistant-rated walls, partitions, floors, or ceilings to be firestopped using approved methods to maintain the fire resistance rating. Firestopping can prevent the passage of smoke, flames, and other products of combustion from spreading from one building space to another.
