Champion Fiberglass Works With Underwriters Laboratories to Update Support Spacing Distance Requirements

Recently, we highlighted Champion Fiberglass’s work with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and National Electrical Code (NEC) to remove opposition to lightweight-yet-strong Champion Fiberglass Haz Duct® XW Type Conduit’s approval for use in Class I, Div 2 applications. This is just one of the instances in which Champion Fiberglass has worked to revisit and update code and standards around the use of fiberglass conduit, ultimately leading to more opportunities for usage (and savings) for its customers.

Over the past five years, Champion Fiberglass has also worked with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to revisit requirements for longer support spacing distances for Champion Fiberglass conduit. In 2016, Champion Fiberglass submitted a petition to UL to support this suit; UL conducted extensive independent testing of Champion Fiberglass conduit in order to ensure that the requirements of the National Electrical Code’s (NEC) Article 355.30 Securing and Supporting were met. At the end of the testing and inspection series conducted by UL, it was found that Champion Fiberglass conduit’s strength, rigidity, and light weight qualified it for extended support spacing distances.

The extended support spacing distances for these conduit products meet the NEC’s Article 355.30 Securing and Supporting requirements (and accompanying table)—the article states that “Conduit listed for support at spacing other than as shown in table 355.30 shall be permitted to be installed in accordance with the listing.” Champion Fiberglass is the only fiberglass conduit manufacturer to have successfully proven their product meets all requirements for extended support spacing distances, which are now comparable to those of GRC and PVC-coated steel.

The following updates reflect this distinction:

• In 2016, Champion Fiberglass’s UL e-File number was updated to include extended support spacing distances for Champion Haz Duct® conduit.
• In 2017, Champion Duct® Standard Wall (SW), Medium Wall (UL designates Champion Fiberglass MW for 5″ and 6″ as SW) and Heavy Wall (HW) conduit approved for expanded support spacing distances.