Above Ceiling Wiring & Cable

Is above ceiling wiring and cable in a hospital required to be plenum rated, and if so, where is the code reference?

I find no requirement for above ceiling low voltage wiring to be plenum rated unless it is located in an air plenum or riser (penetrating more than one floor or in shaft, NFPA 70) (101-3.3.150).  An air plenum includes any space used as part of the air distribution system. 

Above ceiling wiring must be resistant to the spread of fire (70-800.49 & 70-800.51).  Acceptable types are listed in chapter 800.  There are a number of installation guidelines outlined in the NEC chapter 800.

NFPA 101(2000) 3.3.150 Plenum.

A compartment or chamber to which one or more air ducts are connected and that forms part of the air distribution system.

NFPA 70 (NEC) addresses permitted wiring types.  Many changes took place in the NEC between the 1999 edition and the 2002 edition.  I tried to stay away from changes.  The following are excerpts that did not change.  There are many exceptions for specific situations.  Refer to the NEC for more information.

NFPA 70(2002) 800.49 Fire Resistance of Communications Wires and Cables.

Communications wires and cables installed as wiring within a building shall be listed as being resistant to the spread of fire in accordance with 800.50 and 800.51.

NFPA 70(2002) 800.50 Listing, Marking, and Installation of Communications Wires and Cables.

Communications wires and cables installed as wiring within buildings shall be listed as being suitable for the purpose and installed in accordance with 800.52. Communications cables and undercarpet communications wires shall be marked in accordance with Table 800.50. The cable voltage rating shall not be marked on the cable or on the undercarpet communications wire.

NFPA 70(2002) 800.51 Listing Requirements for Communications Wires and Cables and Communications Raceways.

Communications wires and cables shall have a voltage rating of not less than 300 volts and shall be listed in accordance with 800.51(A) through (J), and communications raceways shall be listed in accordance with 800.51(K) through (L). Conductors in communications cables, other than in a coaxial cable, shall be copper.

NFPA 70(2002) 800.52 Installation of Communications Wires, Cables, and Equipment.

Communications wires and cables from the protector to the equipment or, where no protector is required, communications wires and cables attached to the outside or inside of the building shall comply with 800.52(A) through (E).

NFPA 70(2002) 830.54 Medium Power Network-Powered Broadband Communications System Wiring Methods.

Medium power network-powered broadband communications systems shall be installed within buildings using listed Type BM or Type BMR, network-powered broadband communications medium power cables.

(A) Ducts, Plenums, and Other Air-Handling Spaces. Section 300.22 shall apply.

(B) Riser. Cables installed in vertical runs and penetrating more than one floor, or cables installed in vertical runs in a shaft, shall be Type BMR. Floor penetrations requiring Type BMR shall contain only cables suitable for riser or plenum use.

NFPA 70(2002) 300.22 Wiring in Ducts, Plenums, and Other Air-Handling Spaces.

The provisions of this section apply to the installation and uses of electric wiring and equipment in ducts, plenums, and other air-handling spaces.