Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: sd4524, Location: Southern California
Asked on: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 11:26 pm EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 4:43 am EDT
Question: Last week I worked a job where i replaced all of the knob and tube wiring for a small house. (Thank You house flippers who made the "jumpers" from neutral to ground and reversed the polarity)All of the new romex wire was run under the house in the crawl space. It is literally a belly crawl the entire time under the house. I would say the most room you ever had is 2 feet total. Some parts are smaller. Luckily I am a small guy and in pretty good shape. All of the wire gets stapled to the bottom of the floor joists. I can't even imagine dragging a hole hawg or corded drill under the house and drilling all of the floor joists.Is a crawl space defined anywhere? Inspector passed this job no problems. I can't imagine the space under an old house here in SoCal being the same as East Coast basement or crawl space. If I ever have to drill these then i might need to look for a new line of work. Remember, I said the highest point under house is probably 2 feet.What do you guys think?
Definition of a Crawl Space
According to the International Residential Code (IRC), a crawl space is defined as "a space between the underside of the floor and the ground that is less than 3 feet high."Minimum Crawl Space Height in California
The California Building Code (CBC) does not specifically define crawl space height, but it does require that any enclosed space underneath a building have a minimum height of 18 inches.
Under Floor Wiring in Crawl Spaces
The IRC requires that electrical wiring in crawl spaces be secured to the underside of floor joists or blocking. It also requires that the wiring be protected from damage by mechanical means.
Drilling in Crawl Spaces
Drilling in crawl spaces can be hazardous due to the limited space and potential for encountering obstacles such as joists and plumbing lines. Power tools should not be used in crawl spaces without proper safety precautions, such as using a cordless drill with a safety clutch and wearing a hard hat and eye protection.
Inspector's Approval
The fact that the inspector passed the job without issue suggests that the wiring was installed in accordance with the applicable codes and standards.
Considerations for Your Situation
Given the extremely limited space under the house, drilling the floor joists for wiring may not be feasible. However, there may be alternative solutions, such as: Using surface-mounted conduit to run the wiring along the underside of the joists. Installing wires between the joists through pre-drilled holes in the subflooring.* Using a fiberglass fish tape to pull wires through existing holes or channels.Ultimately, the best approach will depend on the specific conditions and requirements of your project. It is recommended to consult with an electrician or other qualified professional to determine the safest and most appropriate solution. Flag for review