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The following Compliance Directive pertains to the use of Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable: Types NM or NM-B (a.k.a. romex).
National Electric Code (NEC) 336-5 allows the use of Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable for dwellings and other structures such as stores, professional offices, motels, industrial occupancies, and the like, provided these dwellings do not exceed three floors above grade.
NEC 336-6 requires installation of cable to closely follow the surface of the building finish or of running boards (straight line runs). This can be accomplished by running the cable through joists and attached to the side or face of joists or beams and running boards. In addition, NEC 336-18 requires the cable to be properly supported by securing with staples, cable ties, straps, or similar fittings designed and installed so as not to damage the cable.
NEC 336-6 requires the cable to be protected from physical damage where necessary by conduit, electrical metallic tubing, schedule 80 PVC rigid nonmetallic conduit, pipe, guard strips, listed surface metal or nonmetallic raceway, or other means.
Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable when installed (run through wall studding) and properly supported by NEC Article 336 guidelines it will be considered to be compliant with 29CFR1910. Industrial fabrication areas, use of powered industrial trucks, or other similar operations where the cable may be subject to damage will require cable less than 8-feet from the floor to be guarded via conduit or similar means of protection.
Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable subject to damage that is not protected shall be cited under 29CFR1910.303(b)(2) installation and use, 29CFR1910.303(g)(2)(ii) electrical equipment subject to damage shall have enclosures or guards arranged to prevent such damage, or other applicable regulations.