[KipBond]

In this thread, we briefly discussed running cables through conduit. Now, I am helping a friend with a new house he's getting built (giving advice on things I've learned and would do different in my next house). One thing that I advised him to do is to have all the network/telephone/coax lines run through conduit. That way, if he needs to add or remove them later, it wouldn't be hard to do (I had to cut a hole in my wall to run some more cables, so I plan on avoiding this in the future).

So, he met with the builder, and told him he wanted that, and they said they couldn't run the cables through conduit because it would be a fire hazard. :eek2:

Is that true? I'm scouring the internet to try to find out more information, but haven't had much luck yet. This doesn't make sense to me. I thought some of you guys would probably have run conduit and may have researched the fire hazard issues too? Thanks for your help!

 

[HIPAR]

A few days ago I was taking with a HAM radio friend who removed his antenna feedline cables from the conduit that brought them inside. He mentioned there was a strong airflow through the conduit. He was afraid the airflow was like a chimney draft that would fan the flames if his house caught on fire.

So there's a non-obvious take on the matter.

--- CHAS

 

[AllieVi]

Wow. People can certainly make mountains out of molehills.

Lots of conduits already exist in our residences. Each plumbing fixture has a 1.5" or larger vent to the atmosphere. Huge furnace and a/c ducts run through our houses, too. Should we remove all of them?

Anyone who is really concerned about the problem could simply plug the conduit at each end to prevent airflow (stuff some fiberglass insulation or other non-flammable item around the cable).

I think KipBond's builder didn't want to do the work for some reason and was simply giving a lame excuse. I'm surprised the ham operator didn't think of stuffing the conduit.

Seems like much ado about nothing to me.

 

[audiomaster]

So, he met with the builder, and told him he wanted that, and they said they couldn't run the cables through conduit because it would be a fire hazard. :eek2:>>
Conduit is actually required by code in hazardous environments! If you are using large ones (say 1-1/2 inches or more I would seal the ends after pulling the wires in to prevent air flow. You can use "duct seal" which is like modeling clay and just is pushed into the pipe around the wires.
You can get a plastic flex in several sizes at Lowes or Home Depot made by Carlon and they have fittings, clamps and boxes that work with it. I just ran about 200 ft or it in my new house and my electrical inspector was fine with it. Even commented that I was "future proofing" the house.

I think you have a lazy contractor!

 

[JM Anthony]

+1 on the contractor BS. A good friend is a big electrical contractor and when I was first discussing one of my remodeling projects with him his advice was to run conduit to all of the places I thought I'd need it and then sit down and think about a few more.

Good advice when it comes to future proofing your home and only adds a few bucks when you do it up front.

John

 

[ClaudeR]

This is way out of proportion. Granted, if the conductors are current carrying, they must be derated in conduit and it depends upon the number of current carrying conductors. But we're talking about phone and cable. Not 350amps in a 000 cable. Sheesh.