How to treat a panel install sharing wall with Garage in a SFR

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Sierrasparky

Sierrasparky

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Location
USA
Occupation
Electrician ,contractor
I was wondering how to handle a panel install in wall that is shared by a garage in Single Family residence. I am understanding the garage wall needs a fire separation between it and the Dwelling part.

What is the proper method of installing a panel in this wall. ( no other place)
 
I do not believe that anything special needs to be done as a panel is usually constructed of steel it should already be rated for fire wall use., as long as the drywall butting up to it has no significant gaps.
 
mopowr steve said:
I do not believe that anything special needs to be done as a panel is usually constructed of steel it should already be rated for fire wall use., as long as the drywall butting up to it has no significant gaps.
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The other thing to be considered is that the wall between garage and dwelling area also serves to reduce carbon monoxide infiltration from the garage. Cutting the thickness of drywall in half might compromise that.
(Although other studies also show that drywall is surprisingly permeable to CO.)
 
I was told when I first started, to not put 2 devices in the same stud cavity going to both rooms. Like 2 receps, one going to the main house and one going to the garage. Theory was two holes in the same cavity is going to let air/ car fumes through the box cut outs in the sheet rock. But that could have been phooey also. If it's true, a panel and a recep. in the same cavity might need addressed.
 
The reason I ask is that a Panel exceeds 16 square inches thus exceeding the gypsum specs for a fire rated wall. I recall somewhere that a garage wall in a SFR is not a true 1 hour wall. however I don't know how it is treated as I always avoid this.
 
Two or three times I have had to put a panel in such a garage wall shared on the other side with the dwelling interior, I had the GC double up the drywall on the backside of the panel. Problem solved for a fairly meager dollar amount.
 
You can use probably a barrier firestop wrap around the panel. I wonder if large putty pads would also be code compliant.

https://www.stifirestop.com/products/tbw-thermal-barrier-wrap/

tbw-slider-2-1024x600.jpg
 
Surface mount the panel, you can box it in with removable access covers if that improves appearances - you will thank yourself if you ever get called to add more circuits to it.
 
kwired said:
Surface mount the panel, you can box it in with removable access covers if that improves appearances - you will thank yourself if you ever get called to add more circuits to it.
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One thing that was not explicit in the original post was whether the panel is opening toward the garage or the inside of the house. :)

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Unless the house side is a utility room, the panel is likely desired to be on the garage side of the wall surface or flush mount.
 
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