an accumulation of coaxial cables that prevents removal of panels, including suspended ceiling panels.

820.24 Mechanical Execution of Work. Community television and radio distribution systems shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner. Coaxial cables installed exposed on the surface of ceiling and sidewalls shall be supported by the building structure in such a manner that the cables will not be damaged by normal building use. Such cables shall be secured by hardware including straps, staples, cable ties, hangers, or similar fittings designed and installed so as not to damage the cable. The installation shall also conform to

300.4(D) and 300.11.

FPN: Accepted industry practices are described in ANSI/NECA/BICSI 568-2006, Standard for Installing Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling; ANSI/ TIA/EIA-568-B.l 2004 — Part 1, General Requirements Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Stan- dard; ANSI/TIA-569-B 2004, Commercial Building Stan- dard for Telecommunications Pathways and Spaces; ANSI/T1A-570-B, Residential Telecommunications Infra-

structure, and other ANSI-approved installation standards.

820.25 Abandoned Cables. The accessible portion of abandoned coaxial cables shall be removed. Where cables are identified for future use with a tag, the tag shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved.

820.26 Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion. In- stallations of coaxial cables and CATV raceways in hollow spaces, vertical shafts, and ventilation or air- handling ducts shall be made so that the possible spread of fire or products of combustion will not be substantially increased. Openings around penetrations of coaxial cables and CATV raceways through fire- resistant-rated walls, partitions, floors, or ceilings shall be firestopped using approved methods to maintain the fire resistance rating.

FPN: Directories of electrical construction materials published by qualified testing laboratories contain many listing installation restrictions necessary to maintain the fire-resistive rating of assemblies where penetrations or openings are made. Building codes also contain restrictions on membrane penetrations on opposite sides of a fire resistance-rated wall assembly. An example is the 600-mm (24-in.) minimum horizontal separation that usually applies between boxes installed on opposite sides of the wall. Assistance in complying with 820.26 can be found in building codes, fire resistance directories, and product listings.

II. Coaxial Cables Outside and Entering Buildings

820.44 Overhead Coaxial Cables. Coaxial cables, prior to the point of grounding, as defined in 820.93, shall comply with 820.44(A) through (F).

(A) On Poles. Where practicable, conductors on poles shall be located below the electric light, power, Class 1, or non-power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors and shall not be attached to a cross-arm that carries electric light or power conductors.

(B) Lead-in Clearance. Lead-in or aerial-drop coaxial cables from a pole or other support, including the point of initial attachment to a building or structure, shall be kept away from electric light, power, Class 1, or non- power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors so as to avoid the possibility of accidental contact.

Exception: Where proximity to electric light, power,

Class 1, or non-power-limited fire alarm circuit service

conductors cannot be avoided, the installation shall be

such as to provide clearances of not less than 300 mm

(12 in.) from light, power, Class 1, or non-power-limited

fire alarm