Cut in box

[l3city]

Hi fellas!!
Can you install a cut-in box in commercial installations?
thanks for any answers
ab

 

[benaround]

13city,

That's a big question, Fire rated walls could be a problem.

 

[l3city]

If approved to do so by existing conditions, can we or not install a cut in box? Are there any NEC restrictions?
thanks

 

[barbeer]

That's a big question, Fire rated walls could be a problem.

I agree with this answer. To the word, yes you can, certain obstacles similar to the above mentioned one could make it non-compliant.

 

[benaround]

There are no NEC resrtictions !!

 

[Sam65]

There are no NEC resrtictions !!

That would also depend if it's new construction or existing. I have had a contractor drywall one side of a new wall and electrician come back and install cut in boxes, that should not be acceptable.

 

[iwire]

If it is a fire rated wall, and it must maintain the fire rating then the answer is not easily.

To maintain the fire rating of the wall the box MUST be secured directly to a stud. You can not support the box from the drywall.

 

[peter d]

If it is a fire rated wall, and it must maintain the fire rating then the answer is not easily.

To maintain the fire rating of the wall the box MUST be secured directly to a stud. You can not support the box from the drywall.

I honestly never knew that until I read it here. I can say I installed more than a few boxes that violated that rule....you would think something like that would be more common trade knowledge.

 

[iwire]

I honestly never knew that until I read it here. I can say I installed more than a few boxes that violated that rule....

Same here.

you would think something like that would be more common trade knowledge.

I think enforcement of fire codes has been pretty lax in our area in the not so distant past. IMO that is changing rapidly.

 

[mdshunk]

I honestly never knew that until I read it here. I can say I installed more than a few boxes that violated that rule....you would think something like that would be more common trade knowledge.

It might be partly because in commercial work, most every wall has the look and feel of a fire wall, but may not necessarily be a fire wall. Not sure if that makes sense or not. Steel studs and 5/8" rock doesn't necessarily mean it's a rated assembly. In newer work, a lot of the GC's are stenciling the wall, above the ceiling line, to help us in later years:

 

[benaround]

I like your GC's the ones I work with keep telling me " Don't Smoke"

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

That would also depend if it's new construction or existing. I have had a contractor drywall one side of a new wall and electrician come back and install cut in boxes, that should not be acceptable.

What number backs you up ? Not saying i like it but it is a fast way out with no damage.