Plywood to box in Main Panel

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J

JOEE

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I was at a carpenter's house doing work and noticed that he basically turned his surface mount panel into a flush mount setup. What he did was frame around the panel with 2x4s and with plywood, he cutout around the panel's cover and painted it (the plywood) to match the walls. The plywood cover comes off to access the cables. It looks really nice, but I'm not sure if using plywood instead of sheetrock is legal. I'm thinking that 1/2" plywood wouldn't be considered fire retardant?? I checked the NEC, but didn't find anything specific. Any thoughts?
 
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Not sure why the plywood would need to be fire retardant. The panel and its cover is already made out of metal. CH makes a beauty cover for their panels that is plastic.
 
If the wall with no panel in it does not need to be fire rated then the wall with a panel in it does not need to be fire rated. You will not find this in the NEC as it is a UBC issue. If the wires coming out of it are NM then they may need protection from physical damage which plywood is far better at providing then sheetrock.
 
All the doors open full 90, and the covers can come off? Doesn't disturb the workspace? FINE - go one step further and faux finish it. "Zar is good for more than just wood! ZAR!!!" :grin:
 
If you popped a firecracker in the box, would the edges of the plywood get blackened? If not, he's okay.
 
LarryFine said:
If you popped a firecracker in the box, would the edges of the plywood get blackened? If not, he's okay.
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So that's how you test panel covers. Suppose fireworks are illegal in your state. Then what? :D
 
Dennis Alwon said:
So that's how you test panel covers. Suppose fireworks are illegal in your state. Then what? :D
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You apply for a Pyrotechnician license.



Wouldn't that look good on the business cards?:grin:
 
LarryFine said:
"Sparky and Kablam"
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"Where's the kaboom? There was supposed to be an earth-shattering kaboom!"

MarvintheMartian2.jpg
 
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