ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Mounting Stuff

Canned foam is an excellant glue. It sticks to just about everything. Seems like a shady way to do a job though

The foam doesn't even really need to adhere like superglue- if it holds the romex firmly in place as it expands around it and doesn't deteriorate or damage the cables, I see no reason why it wouldn't be acceptable.

It does surprise me that it isn't listed for the purpose. Wouldn't it require an engineers stamp to be used, if the foam wasn't listed?

Edit: actually, now that I think about it, that would be an interesting business model for a consulting PE as a side job- to specialize in going back into f'ed up installations that failed inspection to bless or reject or overwise non-code compliant installations. Think there would be much demand for that?

[This message has been edited by SteveFehr (edited 11-15-2006).]

Steve, that job already exists here. My wife came into a house (built by a guy who is gone) where they discovered at the final that the FEPAC was never called in (all the pre-drywall roughs). They called an engineering company that did some X-Ray vision inspection and signed off the FEPAC. I was surprised she got away with it

If that foam degrades the jacket on NM cable, there's going to be a huge problem around here. Nearly all new homes built around here have spray foam used everywhere. Some builders are even using it to plug holes where cable penetrates the top or bottom plates of stud walls, even interior ones.

I have never used foam for mounting a box (have used plenty of mortar or epoxy for metal boxes in block) but I like the idea. A lot easier to apply than the methods I have used. Where I do use foam a lot is to seal penetrations into Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) areas. It is usually required by the clients we do service calls and build-outs for who are governments contractors and have to comply with Gov. Spec. to keep their contracts. In my experience, 90 percent of the time the only distribution gear in a SCIF is for IT so and circuits needed for additional equipment has to be pulled from outside the area. Keeps the feds happy I guess, and never have had any inspector bat an eye.

We've got mil-spec monkey-goop for that, VAElec! Hey, I don't suppose you know anything about NSA SCIF grounding requirements, and how NSA requires shielding to be grounded?

Steve,
I am not familiar with specific NSA requirements. ( I guess if I knew a lot about specifics I could say anything about it anyways, right?) With that said a quick google search “NSA SCIF grounding requirements” has some interesting finds. I know that the main thing that I have found when working with many agencies (either direct or as a sub) is that you have to be on the ball as they will reject work that far exceeds code requirements very quickly when it does not meet their spec as I am sure you know.

Now to the results. About the most informative result I found after a quick search is originally from the USAF. www.thememoryhole.org/mil/aia/aiacl33-1.pdf

A check list sheds light on a bit of the requirements, but not a whole lot of info. No surprise there eh'? As a side note, I was working about ¾ of a mile from the main NSA complex today. That place is closed up tight! I spent the first 18+ years of my life on and around USAF bases and facilities. Have lived on a SAC base that still doesn't show up on maps (I can say that it was north of a good part of habitated Canada and was not Alaska or Greenland), an Intel base in MA, and various other places and NSA is hardcore about keeping things buttoned up.

Oh, and I realize I didn't answer anything, sorry. Ha.

I'll just give Ft. Meade a call on monday and get it straight from them, I guess. I've dealt plenty with SCIFs, but never with NSA SCIFs, so I wasn't sure what sort of things they require. Thanks for giving it a shot

Oh, if anyone is lost, SCIF = Secure Compartmentalized Information Facility. It's a vault rated for information classified above top secret. Real PITA stuff to work with at any level of involvement!

[This message has been edited by SteveFehr (edited 11-16-2006).]

PITA, 'nuff said.