But one minor rewiring in such a large document may save builders millions of dollars, they say. On July 17, the NFPA Standards Council overturned a committee recommendation and a vote by association membership two months earlier, which had defeated a change in the code that the NMHC and NAA had sought for years. The opposition groups has been seeking a provision to allow them to use non-metallic, sheathed wiring--also known as romex wiring--in buildings more than three stories tall.

The National Multi Housing Council and the National Apartment Association are celebrating a change in the code that allows them to save money, time and labor on constructing apartment buildings. "The wiring doesn't know what story it's on," contends Ron Nickson, vice president of building codes for NMHC. "If it's safe on a three-story building, why isn't it safe in a high-rise building?"

Nickson said a provision was added to the 100-year old NEC code about 20 years ago that prohibits romex wiring in taller buildings. At issue here is the reasoning that buildings with fewer stories are made from combustible material--mainly wood--and taller buildings are made from gypsum, concrete steel studs and the like and require a non-combustible wiring.