Separation of receptacles

[Bob Ellenberg]

In the NEMA publication on the Selection and Installation of Electrical Outlet Boxes, it states "Metallic outlet boxes located on opposite sides
of walls or partition, shall be separated by a
minimum horizontal distance of 24 in. This
minimum separation distance between metallic
boxes may be reduced when ?Wall Opening
Protective Materials? (CLIV) are installed
according to the requirements of their
Classification."
Is this true for outlets in interior residential walls per NEC requirements?

 

[iwire]

It is true of fire rated construction.

So in a typical interior wall of a single family home that would not normally apply.

However if for instance you had a side by side two family building the wall separating the units would be a fire rated wall and you would have to follow the rules of separation or use some Wall Opening Protective Materials.

 

[Bob Ellenberg]

That is what I thought but I was reading through the NEMA pub just trying to learn more details of correct installations (I am a designer) and this was spelled out this way and it did not specify in fire rated walls so it was a surprise.