EMT - UL Heads Up [RE-wrenches]

[William Korthof]

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We had two San Diego installations last fall--- the building
inspector recommended we use PVC (or else rigid) for all
outdoor fittings. Not so good for the customers, alas.
A couple other cities so far seem to be thinking about it
as well, but most that we deal with seem to be dismissing
the UL issue for now. But we now make a point of clearly
identifying the conduit type on the submitted plans with
each permit, and verify the City's acceptance of "regular"
EMT for outdoor situations before using it. I really don't like the idea 
that if we do EMT, we
could get stuck having to buy the one compatible listed
make of outdoor EMT (now)---I smell expensive and poor
availability.

/wk

At 12:45 PM 3/15/2004, you wrote:
>All:
>
>Ludicrosity never ends... Or is it Progress?  Isn't Lunacy one brain
>cell beyond Geanyus?
>
>Diatribe aside... News Flash!  (News to me anyway!)
>
>I got word this morning that a PV installation in San Diego was shot
>down on inspection for not using Listed Raintight EMT fittings...
>Thinking that somebody had their wires crossed, I requested more info...
>Turns out UL issued a notice to EMT fitting manufacturers in 2002 that
>the testing standard for listing such fittings was going to become more
>stringent.
>
>As of November 13, 2003, only one manufacturer had successfully complied
>with the new standard.  Bridgeport Series 250 & 260 with the "RT" suffix
>behind the part number.  At that time, and according to Bridgeport's
>website, only 1/2, 3/4, and 1" sizes were listed.  According to UL
>Category FKAV (Link in the UL notice page.... URL too long to paste
>here...), trade sizes from 3/8 - 4" are covered under the category, so I
>don't know what, when, if... Regarding anything bigger than 1-1/4"... I
>wonder if the IBEW knows about this for all their Gubment Cheese
>jobs.... Hmmmmmm
>
>Anyway, somebody got caught by a Building Department and will have to
>disassemble the installation to fix it... I was told that the installer
>was having a difficult time finding the fittings... Couplings in
>particular, I believe...
>
>Following are some links that might help... Hopefully before anybody
>else has to rip out their work... Do what you will with this info...
>Just passing the word along!  Please don't shoot the messenger!  Oh, one
>more thing... Don't tell your local inspectors about this until after
>you've found and started using "Listed for Wet Location" stuff... Then
>you can sit back and watch the local fur fly, if you like doing that
>sort of thing... In which case I'd have to call you a Snitch!
>
>One Note of Caution.... Just because it says Bridgeport and 250 or 260
>doesn't mean it's Raintight!  It must have the "RT" suffix behind it.
> From the B-Port website, apparently they have added an additional
>sealing ring that is installed between the end of the conduit and the
>split compression ring that we all know and love.... They have also
>added an external knockout gasket that seals between the enclosure and
>the fitting.  Sounds like the price of a good fitting is going up!
>
>UL Notice (November 13, 2003 - No update since found...):
>http://www.ul.com/regulators/raintight.html
>
>Bridgeport Raintight EMT Fittings Page:
>http://www.bptfittings.com/catalog/250-RT2.shtml
>
>Bridgeport Sales Rep Page (If your supplier doesn't carry B-Port, call
>the appropriate Sales Rep for your area and request a list of Stocking
>Distributors for B-Port EMT Fittings local to your area):
>http://www.bptfittings.com/rep/
>
>Retirement is looking better and better all the time!
>
>Matt Lafferty
>mlafferty at universalenergies.com
>(916) 422-9772 Office
>(916) 914-2247 Fax
>(916) 628-7694 Cell
>www.universalenergies.com
>
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