Garage Panel

[bgeorge]

OK.

Here's the situation:

A local inspector informed me that we are no longer allowed to recess a panel in the wall of a garage.....IF there is a habitable room above it. I can not locate the code ref anywhere. Has any one heard of this? If so, please site the ref....

Thanks!!!

 

[kwired]

It is not an NEC code if you do have one that prohibits this.

Also makes no sense to me. What is the service going to do differently here than in a basement with habitable space above it. I would be more concerned with what an automobile may do while in this garage but then garages are intended to park autos inside.

 

[bgeorge]

My thoughts exactly...maybe a fire code?

 

[LarryFine]

You simply say: "Mr. Inspector . . .

I can not locate the code ref anywhere. ... please site the ref....

. . . thank you."

Except, when you say it, use 'cite' instead of 'site' (as if spelling can be heard. )

 

[jxofaltrds]

My thoughts exactly...maybe a fire code?

Thats what I am thinking also. But will ask this question at our next IAEI this Thursday.

 

[mcclary's electrical]

Thats what I am thinking also. But will ask this question at our next IAEI this Thursday.

Many times, the wall in between the house and garage is considered a fire wall. I've seen inspectors not let people put panels in that wall, as if it were a 2 hour wall, but I disagree with this logic

 

[infinity]

It's part of the building code due to the fire rating required for the garage with a habitable space above it. If I remember correctly Sue Borek told me that the DCA was trying to find a work around for these applications. You might want to call her.

 

[charlie b]

I think that if you put a fire rated barrier in the wall space above the panel, you would satisfy fire code. There is no electrical reason you can't recess a panel into a garage wall.