Gentlemen, we in the UK have a simular regulation 522-06-06, this calls for the use of earthed metal conduit to protect cables run in a wall or partition of less than 50mm in depth from the cable to any surface of the wall or partition.
An alternative offered in our regs is to run cables in what are termed permitted zones.That is vertically from above or bellow any outlet or accessory. Horizontally from accessories, 150mm horizontally from the ceiling and in any corner of a room vertically upto 150mm from the corner.
If the zone route is chosed it must be clearly identifiable from both sides of the wall. Probably best option is the steel conduit.
Agree with you Mike walls have become painfully thin over the last few years.