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  1. #1
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    Default Surround sound in the HVAC ducts

    Here is a fun time. The guy wants to hide the wires to the speakers for his surround sound system. So they are run through the duct work and out the registers. I should have given him credit for using good quality speaker wire and the point where the wires enter the duct work did not leak conditioned air.

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    Tim Fuller
    Fuller Home Inspection

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Surround sound in the HVAC ducts

    Of course you know, that is not allowed in the code.

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Surround sound in the HVAC ducts

    Some speaker wire, properly installed, is plenum rated.

    Michael Thomas
    Paragon Property Services Inc., Chicago IL
    http://paragoninspects.com

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Surround sound in the HVAC ducts

    Some speaker wire, properly installed, is plenum rated.

    I may be wrong, but that wire does not look like it's plenum rated.
    Even if it were, it is still wrong.

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  5. #5
    Philip's Avatar
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    Default Re: Surround sound in the HVAC ducts

    Of course you noted that the insulation was installed wrong.


  6. #6
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    Default Re: Surround sound in the HVAC ducts

    This was Monster Cable. Not plenum rated.
    Yes Phillip, I noted the insulation was installed wrong, the unprotected wires in a metal box, mold, water stains, falling insulation, and the painted joists in the back ground. But these were not the issues that caused the buyer to walk away.

    Tim Fuller
    Fuller Home Inspection

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Surround sound in the HVAC ducts

    Quote Originally Posted by Tim Fuller View Post
    But these were not the issues that caused the buyer to walk away.
    Was that because of: the exposed paper facing?; insulation installed upside down?; the other myriad of insulation issues?

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Surround sound in the HVAC ducts

    Thanks Jerry,
    What are the myriad of issues with the insulation? The clients statement about why the purchase did not proceed were not related to any of the items in the crawl space. I guess I don't quite understand all of your questions.

    Tim Fuller
    Fuller Home Inspection

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Surround sound in the HVAC ducts

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell View Post
    Of course you know, that is not allowed in the code.


    Interested in where it says that the proper rated cabling cannot be run in an air duct (return). The telephone companies, when they were doing runs did it all the time. I don't agree with doing either.


  10. #10
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    Default Re: Surround sound in the HVAC ducts

    Michael Thomas
    Paragon Property Services Inc., Chicago IL
    http://paragoninspects.com

  11. #11
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    Default Re: Surround sound in the HVAC ducts

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael Thomas View Post

    OK... Let's muddy the water a little. In some HVAC drop-ceiling installations individual ducts are installed for supply only---the return is a single duct above the drop ceiling with registers installed in the drop ceiling.

    Now, running low voltage plenum rated cabling is allowed above the ceiling in the plenum area. So, if we make the return are space smaller, such as 24 x 24" actual duct size, would it be also allowed there?


  12. #12
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    Default Re: Surround sound in the HVAC ducts

    Interested in where it says that the proper rated cabling cannot be run in an air duct (return).

    Rich
    Are you saying the wire in the pix is "the proper rated cabling"?
    As I said in my second post, maybe I'm wrong, but I do not think it is.

    Therefore
    If it is not rated for use in a plenum, then by code, it is not allowed.

    Even if the wire is plenum rated, code does not allow it to exit through the register like that, (you know, subject to damage and such).

    That is why I said, " ...that is not allowed in the code.".

    Do you disagree?

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  13. #13
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    Smile Re: Surround sound in the HVAC ducts

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell View Post
    Interested in where it says that the proper rated cabling cannot be run in an air duct (return).

    Rich
    Are you saying the wire in the pix is "the proper rated cabling"?
    As I said in my second post, maybe I'm wrong, but I do not think it is.

    Therefore
    If it is not rated for use in a plenum, then by code, it is not allowed.

    Even if the wire is plenum rated, code does not allow it to exit through the register like that, (you know, subject to damage and such).

    That is why I said, " ...that is not allowed in the code.".




    I was expanding the discussion a tad to define "plenum area" to see if anyone had a few comments. The cable in the picture is obviously not plenum rated, nor is the method used to exit and enter the duct acceptable. There are many ways that could have been used which would include mechanical protection to the cable and maintenance of a fire-stop---but it appears they were not considered. Going through an air vent, and exiting (unknown, could not see the exit in the picture) without being able to inspect are totally unacceptable. Someone also posted an acceptable cable that could have been used with proper installation methods.


    Do you disagree?
    I totally agree with your comment. I just asked for clarification on the specific code reference.


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