The ROP is the "Report on Proposals" and the ROC is the "Report on Comments". These documents are the "legislative history" of the NEC. Prior to the '96 code cycle the titles of these documents were "Technical Committee Report" and "Technical Committee Documentation", respectively. I don't know the availability of copies of these documents after the code cycle has been completed. During the code cycle these documents are automatically sent to any one who makes a proposal, comment or makes a request to the NFPA for a copy. The documents for the 2002 code cycle are available on line at:
ROP and
ROC Code Making Panel 8's comments on proposals 8-159, 8-160, 8-162 and 8-163 for the 93 code cycle makes it clear that the code does not intend to require a support within 3' of each coupling.
Prior to the 93 code 348-12 said; "Electrical metallic tubing shall be installed as a complete system as provided in Article 300 and shall be securely fastened in place at least every 10 feet and within 3 feet of each outlet box, junction box, cabinet, or fitting." The word fitting, based on the Article 100 definition includes conduit couplings. The above listed proposals removed the word fitting so that support would not be required within 3' of each coupling. Proposal 8-162 was the one that was accepted and it changed the wording to read; "...junction box, cabinet, conduit body, or other tubing termination." The code making panel does not consider a coupling as a "tubing termination". A "tubing termination" only exists where the conduit is joined to something other than another piece of conduit.
Don
[This message has been edited by resqcapt19 (edited 11-01-2002).]
