Illustrated Catastrophes: Layers of Violations

All references are based on the 2020 edition of the NEC.

This wall is constructed of three different layers, including gypsum board, plaster, and wood paneling. The person who installed this panelboard enclosure hacked through all those layers and made no attempt at repairing the wall to maintain its fire-resistant ratings. Section 312.4 requires cabinets installed in noncombustible surfaces to be repaired so there will be no gaps or open spaces greater than ¹/₈ in. at the edge of the cabinet used with a flush-type cover. The gaps here are at least 3 in. or wider. Flames and smoke can easily spread through these gaping openings. In order to minimize the possible spread of fire, smoke, and other products of combustion, Sec. 300.21 requires openings around electrical equipment — such as raceways, cables, boxes, and cabinets that penetrate into or through fire-resistant-rated walls, partitions, floors, or ceilings — to be firestopped with approved methods to maintain the fire-resistance rating of the assembly. Even small openings can allow fire and smoke to spread from one part of a building to another part. It is imperative for these openings to be repaired or otherwise closed to minimize this spread.

The long-term effects of damaging ultraviolet rays from sunlight have resulted in the nonmetallic jacket of this liquidtight flexible metal conduit (LFMC) becoming brittle and cracked. This problem combined with the rusted-out metal connectors and metal raceway leaves this installation in need of major repairs. The definition of LFMC in Sec. 350.2 indicates that LFMC is a flexible metal raceway having a liquidtight, nonmetallic, sunlight-resistant outer jacket. This photo seems to indicate otherwise for this particular installation. For nonmetallic equipment exposed to sunlight, Sec. 300.6(C)(1) requires the materials to be listed as sunlight resistant or identified as sunlight resistant. The mounting means for both the PVC box and the weatherproof aluminum box are snapped off, leaving these boxes less than “rigidly and securely fastened in place,” as required by Sec. 314.23(A). The receptacle covers installed on the outlet box do not comply with the requirements in Sec. 406.9(B)(1). Receptacles rated 15A or 20A, 125V or 250V installed in wet locations are required to have an enclosure that is weatherproof whether or not any attachment plug cap is inserted. These covers are only weatherproof when closed.