John, you may be ready to get the big "Do over" there.
I cant see where you might be able to get away from it here.
The part of 336-5(4) that mentions 518 refers to 518-4(B)
(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.
Ya know for other areas of the building that don't require the same fire rating. If you could some how change the fire rating of the auditorium....
Dare I say it, feel lucky they are even giving you a chance to make an arguement about it. Many of the inspectors I deal with wouldn't be so accomadating.
