Bob , this is another one of those circular code dealy thing a ma gigs. Let's see if I can see past my bottle of Chimay to keep this straight in my own mind. (You know I hate romex....) Anyway, let the code circle begin here:
411.4 Locations Not Permitted.
Lighting systems operating at 30 volts or less shall not be installed (1) where concealed or extended through a building wall, unless using a wiring method specified in Chapter 3, or (2) within 3.0 m (10 ft) of pools, spas, fountains, or similar locations, except as permitted by Article 680.
The installation requirements of 411.4 recognize that shock and fire hazards still exist, even with low-voltage systems.
So now we're back in chapter 3 wiring methods.... Forget anything in chapter 7 now. As it sounds like it is concealed it's limited to chapter 3 now. 394.12 is also in chapter 3. You wouldn't install K&T? How 'bout Smurf tube? Well, you could if it were encased in 2" of concrete... Can you do that with romex? No! So, this all comes down to fire ratings of wiring methods and finish. (The way I see it.) This is some commentary following 520.4(C)
Theaters and similar buildings are usually required to be of fire-rated construction, as determined by applicable building codes; therefore, the fixed wiring methods are limited. See 518.4 for the requirements on wiring methods.
The exception to the requirements for metal-enclosed, or concrete-enclosed, fixed wiring permits the installation of communications circuits, Class 2 and Class 3 remote-control and signaling circuits, sound-reproduction wiring, and fire alarm circuits using wiring methods from the respective articles covering these systems in Chapters 7 and 8. Where portability, flexibility, and adjustments are necessary for portable switchboards, stage lighting, and special effects, suitable cords and cables are permitted. In accordance with 520.5(C), Type NM cable, Type AC cable, ENT, and RNC are permitted as the wiring method in buildings or portions of buildings that are not required to be of fire-rated construction.
Now even if we allow ourselves to think about chapter 7, we end up in 725.71 again. If you have the handbook version of the the 2002, or 1999 NEC both have a whole lotta mumbo jombo 'bout "Flame propagation" and the "Vertical flame testing procedures", smoke production, bla, bla, bla. It's darn clear they intended to limit smoke producing and flame travel inherent wiring methods.
Back to NM... (As we were limited to chapter 3 in 411 for this class 2 lighting purpose, although there are many other materials in that chapter, but MN is in question here.) The same thing happens, Fire ratings, smoke, and flame travel, etc. the commentary following 334.10 is as follows:
A well-established means of codifying fire protection and fire safety requirements is to classify buildings by types of construction, based on materials used for the structural elements and the degree of fire resistance afforded by each element. The five fundamental construction types used by the model building codes are Type I (fire resistive), Type II (noncombustible), Type III (combination of combustible and noncombustible), Type IV (heavy timber), and Type V (wood frame). Types I and II basically require all structural elements to be noncombustible, whereas Types III, IV, and V allow some or all of the structural elements to be combustible (wood).
The selection of building construction types is regulated by the building code, based on the occupancy, height, and area of the building. The local code official or the architect for a building project can be consulted to determine the minimum allowable (permitted) construction type for the building under consideration. When a building of a selected height (in feet or stories above grade) and area is permitted to be built of combustible construction (i.e., Types III, IV, or V), the installation of nonmetallic sheathed cable is permitted. The common areas (corridors) and incidental and subordinate uses (laundry rooms, lounge rooms, etc.) that serve a multifamily dwelling occupancy are also considered part of the multifamily occupancy, thereby allowing the use of nonmetallic sheathed cable in those areas.
If a building is to be of noncombustible construction (i.e., Type I or II) by the owner's choice, even though the building code would permit combustible construction, the building is allowed to be wired with nonmetallic sheathed cable. In such an instance, nonmetallic sheathed cable may be installed in the noncombustible building because the Code would have permitted the building to be of combustible construction.
Annex E provides charts and other explanatory information to assist the user in understanding and categorizing the exact types of construction under consideration. A table to cross reference building types to the various building code types of construction is provided in Annex E also.
Then theres 334.12 uses not permitted... "(4)In theaters and similar locations, except where permitted in 518.4." 518.4, gets you again sayin' only in
(B) Nonrated Construction. Nonmetallic-sheathed cable, Type AC cable, electrical nonmetallic tubing, and rigid nonmetallic conduit shall be permitted to be installed in those buildings or portions thereof that are not required to be of fire-rated construction by the applicable building code.
FPN:Fire-rated construction is the fire-resistive classification used in building codes.
Anyway it seems pretty clear they dont want any more plastic, smoke producing, flame travel in this fire rated area.
