In NYC or any other big city the larger the copper, the more temping it is to be physicaly damged while being stolen. The conduit is there to help hide it...
Where I'm at in SF, it depends on what neighborhood you're in, and general mood of the inspector. But the safe side is to just pipe it if accessable to the public in anyway. Not behind locked door or gate.... People do snip and steal them...
[This message has been edited by e57 (edited 10-07-2006).]
