Change Summary

• The new definition of inner­duct is based on TIA and BICI dictionaries
• Also new, listed communications raceways, including general-purpose, riser and plenum types, are permitted to be used as innerduct and placed within Chapter 3 raceways
• These innerduct requirements include permission to use communications raceway as innerduct

Expert Analysis

For this Code cycle, Code Making Panel-16 submitted a group of coordinated proposals to align definitions and requirements within Chapter 8.  First, a new definition of Innerduct was added to 800.2. This definition is based on information from other technical dictionaries of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and Building Industry Consulting Service International, Inc. (BICSI). The new definition of Innerduct correlates with the new installation permissions and requirements of 800.12, Innerducts. Section 800.12 now permits listed general-purpose, riser and plenum types of innerduct to be used and installed within any listed raceways permitted in Chapter 3, Wiring Methods. In addition, communications raceways, which are clearly permitted to be used as innerduct, are already available as general-purpose, riser and plenum types raceways. For this NEC change cycle and covered earlier in Article 100, the definition of communications raceway was expanded and moved from Article 800 into Article 100 since it now applies to both Chapter 7 and Chapter 8 wiring.