ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues NM wire - no drywall

Is NM wire legal in a home through studs that may not be drywalled? Such as under a loft floor you can walk under?
Years ago in Michigan, we used to run NM inside residential unattached garages inside the stud walls with no drywall going on them, and it was legal. They always passed inspection. (wonder if thats still legal?)

Have you checked 334.23 (and 320.23)?

Article 334 Section 334.10(A)(1) permits this type of installation.

This is very common in New England. Standard practice.

I seem to remember a subject that came up as an IAEI code panel question and it pertained to the use of NM cable run exposed and terminated in nonmetallic boxes. The issue was the boxes and their suitability for use in the walls when they were not drywalled. Anybody had any issus with that?

Are these code references from 2005 and different from 2002? They don't seem real relevant to the issue. To me, the problem lies in 334.14(B) Exposed Work, Protection from physical damage, and 300.4 (which covers some of the protection issues).

What is subject to physical damage is up to the inspector to determine. I too have seen many garages wired with NM run between the studs with no further protection from damage (but these were installed 20 to 30 years ago).

People have been known to store tools like rakes and shovels in such a way that the romex keeps the tools from falling over. Where the romex was strung horizontally thru holes in studs about 4 feet above the floor. Can't be good for the wire or the safety of the home owner.

[This message has been edited by wa2ise (edited 03-30-2005).]

The AHJ in our area permits this type of installation in areas not sheetrocked. They do however require that in those areas such as garages where the romex is run horizontal that a protective wooden strip be nailed up in front of the romex referencing (sp?) 334.14 (b). We normally run the romex vertical along the stud, through the top plate and back down at the next location thus avoiding any questions and overall a neater installation.

You have a similar situation in basements when the NM cable is run in the floor joist for the first floor. People hang thing on the NM cable like clothes hangers for example. Running furring strips on the bottom side of the joist and stapling the NM cable to the bottom side of the furring strips would solve that. Contractors don't won't do that because it's to labor intensive. I'd like to do it just once and see some "green" inspector try and write a violation

Yes, hard to believe its legal to run through floor joist in basements without a finished ceiling.