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800.24, 770.24, 820.24 & 830.24 Low Smoke Nonmetallic Cable Ties Required for Communications Circuits in Plenums

Change Summary

  • Code Making Panel-16 added a new last sentence to 800.24, 770.24, 820.24 and 830.24
  • It requires nonmetallic cable ties and other nonmetallic accessories be listed as having low smoke and heat release properties where used in other spaces used for environmental air (Plenums)
  • This complies with NFPA 90A, Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems
NEC® Text

 
800.24 Mechanical Execution of Work
Communications circuits and equipment shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner. Cables installed exposed on …(See NEC text)… will not be damaged by normal building use. Such cables shall be secured by hardware, including straps, staples, cable ties, hangers, or similar fittings designed and installed so as not to damage the cable. The installation shall also conform to 300.4(D) and 300.11. Nonmetallic cable ties and other nonmetallic cable accessories used to secure and support cables in other spaces used for environmental air (plenums) shall be listed as having low smoke and heat release properties.

Copyright© 2013 National Fire Protection Association

(See NEC for complete text)

Leviton Comment

Articles 820.24, 770.24, 820.24 and 830.24 were grouped together because the intent of these articles is very much the same (low smoke cable accessories in plenum areas).  This grouping makes for a quicker and more user-friendly read of this Pocket Guide.   However there are some variances in text.  Please reference the 2014 NEC Text for exact language.

Expert Analysis

The NFPA Standards Council has assigned primary responsibility for combustibles, located within air handling spaces, to the Technical Committee on Air-Conditioning and the Standard, NFPA 90A, Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems. Presently, NFPA 90A-2012 has requirements for cable ties in ceiling cavity plenums located in 4.3.11.2.6.5 and for raised floor plenums located in 4.3.11.5.5.6. Both of these sections require that all electrical equipment with combustible enclosures, including their assemblies and accessories, cable ties, and other discrete products, shall be permitted in the ceiling cavity plenum and raised floor plenums only where listed according to ANSI/UL 2043, Standard for Safety Fire Test for Heat and Visible Smoke Release for Discrete Products and Their Accessories Installed in Air-Handling Spaces. These air-handling spaces are called “Other Spaces Used for Environmental Air (Plenums)” in NEC 300.22(C). To comply with NFPA 90A, CMP-16 approved a new last sentence be added to 800.24 (and to 770.24, 820.24 and 830.24) requiring nonmetallic cable ties and other nonmetallic accessories to be listed as having low smoke and heat release properties. This action, and the action in 300.22(C)(1), brings the NEC in compliance and correlation with NFPA 90A.

 

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