jim123
Member
- Location
- new castle,de
Can a sub panel be mounted in the wall between the house and the garage. Is that considered a firewall.
Sub panel
- Thread starter jim123
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
My understanding is that it is not an issue but I have heard others say it may be.
- Location
- Tennessee NEC:2017
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrician
It would depend on your AHJ and which building code you are under. Most inspectors here will allow that as long as there is no openings on the other side of the wall.
Your best bet would be to ask your AHJ or inspector.
Your best bet would be to ask your AHJ or inspector.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
You can have the contractor build a double wall where the panel will be and sheetrock behind it.
rnatalie
Senior Member
- Location
- Catawba, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Engineer
The IRC requires a certain protection on the garage/residence wall and that it needs to be applied on the garage side. There are some exceptions for smaller (less than 16 sq in) electrical boxes, but not for panels. Wire penetrations are OK as long as they are property fireblocked. Most panels do not have a fire rating and can't be used as one.
You could surface mount it, or build out a new wall for it that's not part of the legal "membrane."
You could surface mount it, or build out a new wall for it that's not part of the legal "membrane."
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
rnatalie
Senior Member
- Location
- Catawba, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Engineer
Square D specifically says theirs are not. I don't know about others, but I suspect not. 3M makes some matting that they claim is a listed way of protecting behind electrical panels. The IRC is somewhat silent on this technique.
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