Romex laying across joist in attic?

Doug Crf · 08-16-2006, 04:02 PM

I have been doing alot of work up in my attic.
I am wondering about stepping on the romex.
Is it not a good idea?
There is tons of insulation up there so I can not tell
where the romex is laying.
Could stepping on it time and time again start to chafe it
or start to ruin it ia a way that could be a safety hazard.
Thanks Doug

jwhite · 08-16-2006, 04:16 PM

Yes you can hurt the romex. and if the attic is used for storage or any wires within 6 feet of the enterance no matter what are supposed to be protected by running boards.

J187 · 08-17-2006, 01:44 PM

isn't all cable run in walk up attics supposed to be drilled into framing members 2" from edge?

jwhite · 08-17-2006, 02:57 PM

I don't know where you got the 2 inches from. It is the same 1 /14 as with a stud. and you can use running boards in an attic instead.

Also they do not need to be protected if they are further than 6 feet from a scuttle opening. For walk up attics if there is a sloped roof it gets tricky. The nook where the roof like meets the side of the house may not be considered tall enought to be practicle storage/ crawl space. It is up to the inspector to decide if this area needs running boards or not.

J187 · 08-17-2006, 05:53 PM

I think you meant 1 1/4" right? I don't know where I got the 2 from, just thought that's what I read. Maybe 2" was a recommendation for framing members.