Run Romex Through Attic Roof Truss Web

I have recently received a notice from one of my inspectors about art.

Run romex through attic roof truss web.

Cable run across the top of joists. An attic that is accessible which is defined by the nec as having a permanently installed stair or ladder in place must have protection for any cables that run across the top of the attic floor joists or within 7 feet where they run across the face of rafters or studs. The carpenter told me i cannot drill these trusses to run my romex. He is stating that the romex in the attic that is laying on top of the trusses must be secured by a staple tiewrap etc.

Nothing in the code book that i am aware for cable run on the bottom of rafters where they are not subject to mechanical damage. I took it to be the cable romex was going to be exposed. Only 1 5 required from roof sheeting. If the sites that you want to run wire to are on the outside of the house you should not need to drill a new hole.

When romex is run across rafters in an open unfinished attic it is my position that a raceway of some kind 1x3 s or even 2x4 s should first be attached across the affected rafters perhaps 3 to 4 above the joists then the wiring be stapled to the raceway. This will protect the wiring from being accidentally snagged. If the attic is accessible by permanent stairs or ladder any cable running across the top of joists will have to be protected. A pull down attic ladder does not count.

I know in a basement they have to be run through the joist if smaller than 8 3 or 6 2. But we need to know the type of wire and the type of access to the attic scuttle hole stairs to provide a complete answer. I have already drilled 7 8 holes in the trusses. I hope i did not mess up.

When cutting through drywall from the interior of a room use a utility knife and cut carefully you don t want to drill through a hidden wire or the paper backing of the attic insulation. I cannot find this specifically in code so here is my question. Ed beal jul 19 17 at 19 08. Running boards are for cables run on the bottom edge of joists or over rafters when they are subject to mechanical damage less then 3 ft.

It is using 2x4 roof trusses. Romex electrical wiring running over the roof joists in attic all of the upstairs wiring is running over the roof joists instead of through them. So i thought an attic would be no different. Same as vertical studs.

Protecting the cable is as simple as installing substantial guard strips which can simply be a 1x2 furring strip on each side of the cable if there s no permanent stairs or ladder this protection only has to be provided to.