Ecmweb 4869 306ecm15pic1
Ecmweb 4869 306ecm15pic1
Ecmweb 4869 306ecm15pic1
Ecmweb 4869 306ecm15pic1
Ecmweb 4869 306ecm15pic1

What's Wrong Here?

June 1, 2003
How well do you know the Code? Can you spot violations that the original installer either ignored or couldn't identify himself? Here's your chance to second-guess someone else's work from the safety of your living room or office. Our NEC meister Joe Tedesco has done the dirty work and found the violation. Now it's your turn to tell us what it is.

Ray Keith, project sales and engineering, Electric Motor Shop, Inc., Fresno, Calif., sent in the following correct response.

“This installation is clearly in violation of 410.76(B), which doesn't allow for direct mounting of a lighting fixture to this surface. There should be no less than 1.5 in. clearance from the surface of the fiberboard ceiling to the fixture housing.”

Joe adds this reference, which is taken directly from the 2002 Code.

“410.76(B) Combustible Low-Density Cellulose Fiberboard. Where a surface-mounted luminaire (fixture) containing a ballast is to be installed on combustible low-density cellulose fiberboard, it shall be listed for this condition or shall be spaced not less than 38 mm (1.5 in.) from the surface of the fiberboard.

“FPN: Combustible low-density cellulose fiberboard includes sheets, panels, and tiles that have a density of 320 kg/m3 (20 lb/ft3) or less and that are formed of bonded plant fiber material but does not include solid or laminated wood or fiberboard that has a density in excess of 320 kg/m3 (20 lb/ft3) or is a material that has been integrally treated with fire-retarding chemicals to the degree that the flame spread in any plane of the material will not exceed 25, determined in accordance with tests for surface burning characteristics of building materials. See ANSI/ASTM E84-1997, Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials.”

About the Author

Joe Tedesco

Tedesco served the industry in many roles during his career. He was a director, senior electrical code instructor for National Technology Transfer, Inc. and American Trainco, Inc.. He was also a codes, standards and seminar specialist for the International Association of Electrical Inspectors and an electrical field service specialist for the National Fire Protection Association in Quincy, Mass. He ran his own business as an NEC consultant and is a Massachusetts licensed master electrician and journeyman electrician and certified electrical inspector (one and two family 2A; General 2B, and Plan Review, 2C). Tedesco also wrote articles for CEE News and EC&M (Code Violations Illustrated and What's Wrong Here?) for more than 15 years and helped launched the Moving Violations video series.

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