atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring need OSP for running cable inside

Has any one heard of this?

The inspector told the GC on my site that if we are stubbing a comduit off the wall and under the floor to an island location we will need to put lighting protection where the copper enters the pipe and the cabling in the comduit MUST be OSP to the wok station.

He claims it is in the NEC - I have 2008, but can't find it. Does anyone have a 2010?

C

Never heard of such a requirement. Since when do electrical inspectors specify products? Remember, the NEC is not a design guide; it is strictly there for safety.

OSP cable is only required to be protected if it is exposed to lightning and extends beyond the confines of a city block.

That's what I understood, but according to one of the electrician the inspector actually brought in the code book and showed the head EC where it was. The guy left before I could talk to him so I couldn't get the code - it si not in 800 or 250, but the guy (according to the guy on site gave the lead EC the code!?) Can't wait to see this. Maybe it's something new for 2010?

I'm not buying it for a second. There is nowhere in the NEC that stipulates outside plant cable must be used for runs in conduit with lightning protection for an under-floor cable that is indoors. Ask for him to cite the actual article. I'm almost taking a personal interest in dragging someone to the mats here.......

Am I safe to assume that this is your job at the hospital in Henrico County, Cory? I know that the City of Richmond inspectors are ball busters with insane expecations, but Henrico follows a much more relaxed set of state guidelines.

Someone is blowing smoke here and I'm choking upon it.

What a crock.

There are hundreds of thousands ---millions--- of work stations in this country, fed via conduit, using inside wire. Every office building with poured slab floors, by design and necessity, has conduits running to the middle of the floor where the work stations are. How else would you do it?

Is he actually recommending OSP, a protector at EVERY location where a conduit descends from a wall, goes under a floor, and comes back up at a desk?

Besides, certain types of OSP cables are ILLEGAL to use inside a building.

Absolutely ridiculous.

New York State has an office in the state capital where contractors can get a "second opinion" (just short of an Article 28 hearing) on fire and building code issues. If you know someone (a govt official, such as fire marshal, fire chief, etc) who is a member of NFPA (the publishers of the NEC) try to get an opinion from the source.

I was gonna say, I was always under the impression that you can't use filled cable indoors beyond the first 50 feet of entrance due to the flammability of the gel.

Not exactly, Jeff. It is the polyethylene jacket that is not rated for indoor use. Filled or not, you can't run it beyond 50 feet unless it is in conduit.