ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Romex in Commercial Facilities?

Is Romex wire forbiden by NEC to be used in commercial facilities?
Which article?

Thanks,

Joe.-

There is no absolute prohibition.

Romex is not permitted over soft lids: that shoots it down for most commercial -- but not all.

Many AHJ's will still not accept Romex -- but that's not in the national code. It's a local thing.

A soft lid, to me, is a comfy felt hat, instead of the construction hard hat. What is it to you?
NM cable can be used in commercial work if the building construction is of types III, IV or V. Or, in more easily understood terms, where wood walls are allowed, so is Romex.

NM cable is permitted in metallic type studs as well. You need to read 334.10 & 334.12.

NM cable itself is not prohibited from "occupancy" types, it has other location type uses/restrictions.

One non code word of caution. I've seen it used in resturants. I've also seen the insulation stripped clean off by rats in resturants. So if there is food handling in the commercial building, I would not use it myself, no matter the type of building construction.

I am surprised we have not heard much lately about creatures eating away at NM cable.

I know that recently manufacturers of NM cable have been putting a chemical in the sheathing that deters creatures from chewing on the sheathing.

That is good to know. I wonder what chemical it is that they are putting in there.

I didn't know about the chemical thing either. Good to know.

Don't taste any different to me

Wouldn't that have to be on the MSDS?

Greg, you hit it right on the nose with the taste thing. I remember a big fat electrician named Tony who I worked with in 1978 wiring 7 Lakes in Ft. Myers. He slapped me on the back of the head when he saw me holding a short piece of wire in my mouth. In his day they put arsenic into wire to keep rats off of it. Thats what I call OJT.