On Jan 13, 1:17*pm, wrote:
On Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:46:42 -0800 (PST), Evan



wrote:
On Jan 13, 11:25*am, wrote:
On Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:44:41 -0800 (PST), Robert Macy

wrote:
Where the AC mains romex goes through the hole in the 2x4 across the
top of the studs and on up into the attic, there is some type of
hardened reddish gunk placed around the cabling to plug the hole in
the 2x4 and hold the cable rigidly in place.

My guess is that the purpose of the 'gunk' is to hold the cable,
prevent critter intrusions, and provide insulation between hollow of
interior wall and attic.

What is that compound?

Also, is there a similar, but more pliant, sealant? Just in case the
cabling needs to be replaced and the pliant sealant will allow
everything to be pulled out?

Like Steve says, it sounds like they used fire stop compound but I
can't imagine why. It was probably just what he had on the truck. The
duct seal that *Stormin talks about is a more appropriate product. The
cable should be secured by other means to keep it from being pulled
out, This "gunk" is only to seal the hole.
The Great stuff is OK but you pretty much better have a plan for the
whole can. Once you start squirting it through the tube, you have to
keep going because once it sets up the tube is plugged forever. If
there are a lot of little holes you want to seal, go for it. Just
don't go nuts, this "stuff" keeps expanding for a while and will warp
window frames and bubble out all over if you use too much. A little
dab will do you.

Except that "great stuff" doesn't meet the fire code requirement in
most places where sealing all penetrations through a floor/ceiling
or wall cavity are required...

The expanding foam "great stuff" used to be used BEFORE the
building code required fire stopping all penetrations by builders
who were trying to make a more energy efficient building but the
great stuff did little to prevent fire infiltration...

This especially comes into play in commercial buildings where
fire compartment walls in a structure must have a minimum
fire rating of 2 hours...

~~ Evan

This sounds like a SFR and there is no "fire stop" requirement between
the living space and the attic. This is draft stopping.

Sorry, but your jurisdiction is apparently using an older version of
code -- it is a requirement in most places which have adopted the
latest building codes and could potentially be a requirement in your
area soon as the code is disseminated from the source and trickles
down and gets adopted by each enforcement jurisdiction...