I have a relatively old house ~50 - 60 years? I guess? I am planning to run
some Cat5e network cables through from my basement to the second floor, and
I have a fireplace that I don't use. In the center bottom of that fireplace
there is a hole that goes directly down to the basement's ashpit, that is
just closed off with a small metal cover. Is it safe to clean out the ashpit
and run the cables through this hole to the second floor? This is a huge
brick structure, and I have also noticed that the heating system and the hot
water tank's exhaust also connect into the brick, but I am not sure if they
do interfere with the drop where I want to run my cables. If it is okay to
run through there it would save me some hassle of having to run the cables
by drilling another hole.

If this is possible, do I need CMR or CMP fireratings for the cables to be
safe? (Riser/Plenum)

-Cheers!

In article Y9rof.114006$ki.9274@pd7tw2no,
"verzoegerung" wrote:

I have a relatively old house ~50 - 60 years? I guess? I am planning to run
some Cat5e network cables through from my basement to the second floor, and
I have a fireplace that I don't use. In the center bottom of that fireplace
there is a hole that goes directly down to the basement's ashpit, that is
just closed off with a small metal cover. Is it safe to clean out the ashpit
and run the cables through this hole to the second floor? This is a huge
brick structure, and I have also noticed that the heating system and the hot
water tank's exhaust also connect into the brick, but I am not sure if they
do interfere with the drop where I want to run my cables. If it is okay to
run through there it would save me some hassle of having to run the cables
by drilling another hole.

If this is possible, do I need CMR or CMP fireratings for the cables to be
safe? (Riser/Plenum)

-Cheers!

In home usage, standard PVC cable is allowed. However, since PVC gives
off toxic gasses in a fire, I'd suggest using the more expensive Plenum
rated cable so you have a bit of extra time to get out during a fire.
It would also be a good idea to fire-stop any holes that you drill.

I'd suggest not running cabling through the fireplace. It only takes
one small mistake to make a huge mess. It shouldn't be all that bad
to drill and fish this cable the conventional way. Finally, if you
ever sell the house, cables in the fireplace could be a huge red flag.

-john-

--
================================================== ====================
John A. Weeks III 952-432-2708
Newave Communications http://www.johnweeks.com
================================================== ====================

However, could there be a safety risk running it through that hole? i.e. any
chance that those exhaust pipes from the furnace and water heater going
through the same or near it, and conflicting with the cables?


"John A. Weeks III" schrieb im Newsbeitrag
...
In article Y9rof.114006$ki.9274@pd7tw2no,
"verzoegerung" wrote:

I have a relatively old house ~50 - 60 years? I guess? I am planning to
run
some Cat5e network cables through from my basement to the second floor,
and
I have a fireplace that I don't use. In the center bottom of that
fireplace
there is a hole that goes directly down to the basement's ashpit, that is
just closed off with a small metal cover. Is it safe to clean out the
ashpit
and run the cables through this hole to the second floor? This is a huge
brick structure, and I have also noticed that the heating system and the
hot
water tank's exhaust also connect into the brick, but I am not sure if
they
do interfere with the drop where I want to run my cables. If it is okay
to
run through there it would save me some hassle of having to run the
cables
by drilling another hole.

If this is possible, do I need CMR or CMP fireratings for the cables to
be
safe? (Riser/Plenum)

-Cheers!

In home usage, standard PVC cable is allowed. However, since PVC gives
off toxic gasses in a fire, I'd suggest using the more expensive Plenum
rated cable so you have a bit of extra time to get out during a fire.
It would also be a good idea to fire-stop any holes that you drill.

I'd suggest not running cabling through the fireplace. It only takes
one small mistake to make a huge mess. It shouldn't be all that bad
to drill and fish this cable the conventional way. Finally, if you
ever sell the house, cables in the fireplace could be a huge red flag.

-john-

--
================================================== ====================
John A. Weeks III 952-432-2708
Newave Communications http://www.johnweeks.com
================================================== ====================