Question to electricians............

if romex is to be a certain distance back from ceiling for nail/screw protection, how would chase comply with the code if distance is just 7/16"?

Perhaps armored cable (bx) or a metal guard plate would do the trick.  A bit more expensive than romex, though.

Detail & note taken from set of OSB plans

We'll put wire chases anywhere they are requested. It is a simple matter of hot wiring the chase as per customer specifications before the panel is laminated. I had a customer that wanted it this way because it is supposed to be more energy efficient. However, if code requires a chase to be in the center of the EPS core then we can do that. I would imagine that most OSB sip manufacturers offer this service as well.

Do you have the specific wording for that section of the NEC? Seems like it only pertained to a setback at the joist/stud location not everywhere. Since there is no joist/stud adjacent to the chase then it doesn't apply. But it's just a vague memory ......

Gregj;

I think the dimension was 1-1/4" clearance, but we are always at the mercy of the inspector's interpretaion of the code and how they would view the SIP as a structural component. Ultimately the wire is not protected well.
With that particular chase detail the romex is suceptable to being hit with screws

So very, very true.

I suppose one could insert a long thin piece of steel "lath" into the chase next to the OSB before final assembly as a guard.