Fiber Optic Cable Service Loop

[BrkfldEE]

Is there a Code Requirement to leave service loops for Fiber Optic Cable? I have heard and read lengths of anywhere from 10' to 100' but I do not see anything in the NEC that explicitly says that a service loop of any length is required. Does anyone know of one?

 

[JG2828]

I couldn't find an answer to your question, but I did come across this section of the NEC that might interest you.

770.48 Unlisted Cables Entering Buildings.
(A) Conductive and Nonconductive Cables. Unlisted conduc‐
tive and nonconductive outside plant optical fiber cables shall
be permitted to be installed in building spaces, other than
risers, ducts used for environmental air, plenums used for envi‐
ronmental air, and other spaces used for environmental air,
where the length of the cable within the building, measured
from its point of entrance, does not exceed 15 m (50 ft) and
the cable enters the building from the outside and is termina‐
ted in an enclosure.
 The point of entrance shall be permitted to be extended
from the penetration of the external wall or floor slab by
continuously enclosing the entrance optical fiber cables in
rigid metal conduit (RMC) or intermediate metal conduit
(IMC) to the point of emergence.​

 

[robertjo24]

The NEC code would be more aligned with safety that maintainability. Look up BICSI standards regarding fiber. Service loops are always recommended. Its easier to perform one mid-span splice using a service loop than creating two splices, fitting a piece of cable.