Fire Retardent Backboard for Panels, Required by Code or...................??

[sullivant]

The question has been posed whether or not a Fire Retardent backboard is required by code for mounting panels, AND does it need to be painted.

Anyone have an actual code reference to this question??

 

[roger]

It is not an NEC issue however, the UBC and IBC has some requirements that may come to play. I think you will find something in IBC 704

Roger

 

[JFletcher]

I know anytime we mounted any Telecom equipment to a wall, it was on a fire rated piece of plywood. I believe you can use standard plywood if you have two coats or more of listed fire retardant paint. I do not believe you have to use both paint and fire retarded plywood. as mentioned above this is a building code issue not an NEC issue.

Edited to add... I believe that if you use fire retardant plywood that you cannot paint it, at least until after it has been inspected, and maybe not even then

 

[hbiss]

I know anytime we mounted any Telecom equipment to a wall, it was on a fire rated piece of plywood. I believe you can use standard plywood if you have two coats or more of listed fire retardant paint. I do not believe you have to use both paint and fire retarded plywood. as mentioned above this is a building code issue not an NEC issue.

Edited to add... I believe that if you use fire retardant plywood that you cannot paint it, at least until after it has been inspected, and maybe not even then

Another ridiculous requirement. What makes anyone think that telecom equipment is going to burst into flames any more than any electrical equipment?

Yes, you can paint it as long as you don't paint over the stamp that says it's fireproof.

-Hal