3.1.5.23.Non-metallic Raceways

(1) Except as required in Sentence (2), subject to the limits on the size of elements that penetrate fire separations when complying with Article 3.1.9.2., within a fire compartment of a building required to be of noncombustible construction, totally enclosed non-metallic raceways not more than 175 mm in outside diameter, or of an equivalent rectangular area, are permitted to be used to enclose optical fibre cables and electrical wires and cables, provided (a) where the wires and cables in the raceways meet or exceed the requirements of Clause 3.1.5.21.(1)(a), the non- metallic raceways meet the requirements for at least an FT4 rating in, (i) CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 262, “Optical Fiber Cable and Communication Cable Raceway Systems,” or (ii) CAN/ULC-S143, “Standard Method of Fire Tests for Non-Metallic Electrical and Optical Fibre Cable Raceway Systems,” and (b) where the wires and cables in the raceways do not meet or exceed the requirements of Clause 3.1.5.21.(1)(a), the non-metallic raceways exhibit a vertical char of not more than 1.5 m when tested in conformance with the Vertical Flame Test (FT4) – Conduit or Tubing on Cable Tray in Clause 6.16 of CSA C22.2 No. 211.0, “General Requirements and Methods of Testing for Nonmetallic Conduit.” (2) Totally enclosed non-metallic raceways used in a plenum in a building required to be of noncombustible construction shall exhibit a horizontal flame distance of not more than 1.5 m, an average optical smoke density of not more than 0.15, and a peak optical smoke density of not more than 0.5 when tested in conformance with CAN/ULC- S102.4, “Standard Method of Test for Fire and Smoke Characteristics of Electrical Wiring, Cables and Non-Metallic Raceways,” (FT6 rating).