Equipment Access

Access to equipment must not be prohibited by an accumulation of cables that prevent the removal of suspended ceiling panels. Cables must be located so that the suspended ceiling panels can be moved to provide access to electrical equipment, Fig. 7-6. Note: See the support section in this Chapter for the requirements for proper cable supports.
System Section CATV MATV, CCTV 820-5 Control and Signaling (Class 2 and 3) 725-5 Optical Fiber 770-7 Fire Alarm 760-5 Network-Powered Broadband 830-6 Radio and Television No Code Rule Sound (Audio) 640-5 Telecommunications 800-5

Fire Rated Walls/Ceilings/Floors

Low-voltage and limited-energy cables must be installed so that they dont increase the spread of fire or smoke [300-21]. This means that openings in fire-rated walls, floors, and ceilings must be sealed with an approved fire-stop material. The installation of fire-stop materials must be done in accordance with the specific instructions supplied by the manufacturer for the specific type of wiring method (raceway or cable), and construction material (drywall, brick, etc.), Fig. 7-7. Authors Comment: When lowvoltage and limited-energy devices are installed fire resistant walls, floors, and ceiling, metal outlet boxes or fire rated nonmetallic outlet boxes must be used to maintain the fire resistant rating of the assembly, Fig. 7-7.
System CATV Control and Signaling (Class 2 and 3) Optical Fiber Fire Alarm Network-Powered Broadband Sound (Audio) Telecommunications Section 820-3(b) 725-3(a) 770-3(a) 760-3(a) 830-3(a) and 830-58(b) 640-3(a) 800-52(b)

FIGURE 7-6

Authors Comment: Many times fire stopping is enforced by the structural inspector during framing inspection, and local building Codes often contain specific firestopping requirements.

Identification
Fire Alarm Circuits [Article 760] - Fire alarm circuits must be identified at all terminal and junction locations. The identification must be in a manner that will prevent unintentional interference with the fire alarm circuits during testing and servicing [760-10], Fig. 7-8.

FIGURE 7-7

28

Guide to Low-Voltage & Limited Energy Systems