Adding receptacles in a Garage Firewall

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JB8

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I am planning on adding receptacles in the side walls of a condo attached garage. The walls are 2 layers of 5/8" drywall plus 3/8" oriented strandboard. I plan on running the romex behind the studs, as there is a considerable air gap (with insulation) between this and the neighboring firewall.

1. Do the old-work boxes need to be attached to studs? I remember some posts by roger that indicated that UL requires this, but I don't see the reasoning for old-work boxes to be attached to studs.

2. The feeder panel for the unit is in the garage, in a build-out in front of the firewall. What is the best way to get several romex cables through the firewall behind and above the panel without compromizing the firewall?
 
Re: Adding receptacles in a Garage Firewall

1. attach to studs and fire caulk.
2. fire caulk
edit: larry, the OP said in another thread, that he was having the work done, he is just designing it ;)

[ December 31, 2005, 05:57 PM: Message edited by: jbwhite ]
 
Re: Adding receptacles in a Garage Firewall

Originally posted by jbwhite:
edit: larry, the OP said in another thread, that he was having the work done, he is just designing it ;)
Click to expand...
False alarm, false alarm! Go to Defcon 5.
 
Re: Adding receptacles in a Garage Firewall

Originally posted by LarryFine:
False alarm, false alarm! Go to Defcon 5.
Click to expand...
Good that was close. :D

DEFCON 5 Normal peacetime readiness

DEFCON 4 Normal, increased intelligence and strengthened security measures

DEFCON 3 Increase in force readiness above normal readiness

DEFCON 2 Further Increase in force readiness, but less than maximum readiness

DEFCON 1 Maximum force readiness.

[ December 31, 2005, 07:22 PM: Message edited by: iwire ]
 
Re: Adding receptacles in a Garage Firewall

John, didn't you ever see that old Matthew Broderick video-game hacker movie where he hacked into the Department of Defense computers, and....

....well, I fell asleep at that point. It was an 80's movie. (Back when you could hack something with a Pez dispenser and a curiously twisted paper clip.) :D

DEFCON stands for "defense condition", I believe. :D
 
Re: Adding receptacles in a Garage Firewall

I dont think defcon is used anymore.

I think everyone now uses the force protection Alpha through Delta list. Alpha being the lowest.

I know that base here uses it. They have drills from time to time. Alpha, they look at stickers. Bravo and they check all IDs and stickers. Charlie, and they search every vehicle.
I have not seen delta, but that is probably when all the civilian contractors have to stay home.
 
Re: Adding receptacles in a Garage Firewall

Originally posted by georgestolz:
John, didn't you ever see that old Matthew Broderick video-game hacker movie where he hacked into the Department of Defense computers, and....

....well, I fell asleep at that point. It was an 80's movie. (Back when you could hack something with a Pez dispenser and a curiously twisted paper clip.) :D

DEFCON stands for "defense condition", I believe. :D
Click to expand...
Greek to me, I guess I fell asleep before it started. Of course I have never been a movie or TV fan. :D
 
Re: Adding receptacles in a Garage Firewall

Originally posted by jbwhite:
1. attach to studs and fire caulk.
2. fire caulk
Click to expand...
Thanks for your reply.

For #1, I am assuming that you mean the caulk is for any gaps around the box, and if the hole is cut properly (with no gaps), then no caulk is needed!
I would prefer to know WHY the boxes need to be attached to studs, since attachment to (by screws) 1 5/8" of wall material, 3/8" of which is wood, should be more than rigid support. I would tend to think that UL was more concerned with new construction and therefore didn't bother considering adding to existing firewalls.

For #2, is a sleeve (metal or PVC) not required since this is a "penetration" and not a "through" of the firewall?
 
Re: Adding receptacles in a Garage Firewall

The Residential Code calls for 1/2" drywall on the garage side of the attic ceiling and the wall that is common with the house. This wall is not a "fire wall".

I have never seen any code require any penetration protection around electrical boxes in this wall or the ceiling. The door in this wall is not required to be a "fire door" either.
 
Re: Adding receptacles in a Garage Firewall

JB8,

If you feel it's wrong to penatrate the walls,then why not just run EMT on the surface.A little paint on the pipe and it blends right in.JMO.
 
Re: Adding receptacles in a Garage Firewall

Look up the approved code for the UL Listed FIRE RESISTIVE DESIGN of your CONDO Garage Wall - and proceed accordingly.

Here's the HOW TO link on how to begin looking up same:

http://www.ul.com/regulators/quickguide.html#FireResistance

by the way I'm all for the previous poster's suggestion, ferrous EMT, no penetrations, Your Master Association, Master Condo Insurance Policy and Declarations and Covenants may well prohibit you from doing EITHER. One wonders if your Garage is owned or a limited common element. Generally any Condo space "owned" is within the inner surface of the wall, not the cavities, and generally any such invasions or modifications in a perimeter wall (evidenced by fire-stop) are not permitted once conversion has taken place. Certainly not without approval of the Association, AHJ, and underwriting insurance carrier for the CO policy.

[ January 01, 2006, 10:31 PM: Message edited by: lesliek ]
 
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