garage wall boxes

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ted sr.

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where does it say ,in any code, that
any box located in a wall between the garage
and the living space, shall be metal and shall
be wrapped in a fierproof puddy-pac ?
 
Re: garage wall boxes

Ryan:

Can you be more specific? Do the building codes require a fire rated wall? 1 hour or 2 hour? If so, aren't there are UL listings for plastic outlet boxes that without a fireproof putty-pac that meet certain ratings?

Steve
 
Re: garage wall boxes

In the 2002 IRC. It's not in the NEC.

2002IRC:
R317.3.2 Membrane Penetrations
Exceptions:
1. Steel electrical boxes that do not have 16 sq. in. in area provided the total area of such openings does not exceed 100 sq. in. for any 100 sq. ft. of wall area. Outlet boxes on opposite sides of the wall shall be seperated as follows:

1.1 By a horizontal distance of not less than 24"

1.2 By a horizontal distance of not less than the depth of the wall cavity......

1.3 By solid fire blocking....

1.4 By protecting both outlet boxes by listed putty pads

1.5 By other listed materials and methods
 
Re: garage wall boxes

I should have continued, but he asked about metal.

Exception 2:
Membrane penetrations for listed electrical outlet boxes of any materials are permitted provided such boxes have been tested for use in fire resistant-rated assemblies and are installed in accordance with the instructions included in the listing. Outlet boxes on opposite sides of the wall shall be seperated as follows:
(same as above, minus 1.2)
 
Re: garage wall boxes

IBC
711.3.2MEMBRANE PENETRATIONS
EX 1 yours perbatum
EX 2 Membrane penetrationsfor listed electrical
outlet boxes of any material are permited provided
such boxes have been testedfor use in fire-resistance- rated assemblies and are installed
in accordance with the instructions included in
the listing.


IT STILL A'INT BROKE
 
Re: garage wall boxes

I am assuming this is a private residential situation we're talking about? As has been stated, the building code applicable in your area will have the answere to your question. IRC R317.3.2 does not apply to your situation. It applies to separation walls between dwelling units in duplexes or town houses. IBC 711.3.2 will not apply either. If the IRC is the applicable code for your situation then section R309.2 applies. I can't think of any code basis for not allowing a plastic outlet box there. And I am not aware of a code requirement for putty pads. There is not even a code requirement for drywall on the house side of that wall :)

[ June 14, 2004, 12:27 PM: Message edited by: eprice ]
 
Re: garage wall boxes

How about this one. In my area some of the building inspectors get up in arms if you mount a loadcenter in a garage wall that faces into the living area on its backside. I could be wrong, but I thought that loadcenters were 2 hour rated. Does anybody know more about this?
 
Re: garage wall boxes

there is a limit of 100 sq inches, and panel exceeds that limit for total elec penetrations of garage wall.

paul
 
Re: garage wall boxes

Eprice, What state in there right mind would not require drywall on the house side of an attached garage. In MI its boarded and taped.
 
Re: garage wall boxes

eprice and apauling are dead on
but the drywall thing?
the inspector in indiana tells me that
a CARLON B118A isn't rated for 2hr
and they require a metal bx w/puddy
or firecaulk on the back
they are more than 24" from others
i can't find anything to support his
reason........it's a single family....
i'm meeting with at lunch with a cutsheet
from carlon and UL
 
Re: garage wall boxes

Visit RonBlank.com. I think they have a free online course on fire rated walls and designs. Also visit UL.com where you can download all the UL fire rated designs.

Steve
 
Re: garage wall boxes

Thanks Apualing, I have seen the sq in limitation probably a dozen times and until now only mind-asociated it with junction boxes, not elec. panels. Further proof why this forum is a great way to further my personal education on all things electric.
 
Re: garage wall boxes

Originally posted by jes25:
Eprice, What state in there right mind would not require drywall on the house side of an attached garage. In MI its boarded and taped.
Any state that follows the IRC without amendments.

From the IRC:
R309.2 Separation required. The garage shall be separated from the residence and its attic area by not less than 1/2-inch gypsum board applied to the garage side.....
Yes, drywall is required on the garage side of the separation wall, but not the house side. My point is that this separation wall is not a fire rated assembly.
 
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