Smoke Detectors mounted to a single gang box
- Thread starter iwiremup
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
I cannot imagine that being an issue.
A/A Fuel GTX
Senior Member
- Location
- WI & AZ
- Occupation
- Electrician
No problem.....The mounting plates adapt to any kind of box and the single gang's are a lot cheaper than the 4/0's.
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
Plus they are easy to identify as a smokey location by everybody on the crew.
al hildenbrand
Senior Member
- Location
- Minnesota
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor, Electrical Consultant, Electrical Engineer
Next time you open up a line powered smoke, look at the mounting holes in the mounting plate. The smoke manufacturer will almost certainly have a set of holes that are in between the 3.25" and 4" holes of the round box mount. This set of "in between" holes are spaced for the standard wall case screw mount.
My point: The manufacturer has no preference.
- Location
- Logan, Utah
Single gang plastic boxes are all I see for smoke alarms.
Here is what the 2008 NEC says about using them.
Chris
Here is what the 2008 NEC says about using them.
Chris
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
I use the smaller (3.25") round nail-on boxes for smokes, for this reason and because most smokes barely cover a 4" round.
walkerj
Senior Member
- Location
- Baton Rouge
I have always used a single gang.
The first time I saw a round box for a smoke I couldn't figure out why they wanted a light right inside the bedroom door:roll:
The first time I saw a round box for a smoke I couldn't figure out why they wanted a light right inside the bedroom door:roll:
Buck Parrish
Senior Member
- Location
- NC & IN
Could you imagine hanging a 5lb. light from a single gang outlet box with quick clips ? Yikes...
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Well, as usual I am the different one. I always use a nail on or bar round box. Pretty standard around here.
Buck Parrish
Senior Member
- Location
- NC & IN
Me too, but 314.27 allows it doesn't it. A 5lb light mounted on a single gang outlet box with quick clips.
I know that 5lb bass I caught was heavy.
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
Really!? I just measured mine and it's five inches.
Here in the Mile High State we are required to put smoke/CO detectors they are a tad wider. Can carbon monoxide get up to the ceiling?
kbsparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Delmarva, USA
Yup, sure can. Its Carbon dioxide that is heavier than air, and falls to the floor. Ever see the mist from dry ice?
electricmanscott
Senior Member
- Location
- Boston, MA
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Maybe it's just sloppy drywall cutting, but they don't cover the ceiling cutout with 4" Carlon nail-ons very well.What kind of smokes are you using. I have never seen this problem.
jimport
Senior Member
- Location
- Outside Baltimore Maryland
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Carbon monoxide is almost the same density as air.
- Location
- Logan, Utah
Correct, so it mixes very well with the air in a home and can be detected either at the floor level or at the ceiling level.
Chris
cycotcskir
Senior Member
Carbon Monoxide = .97 where air = 1
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