attached garage question
 

I know that the wall between my home and attached garage is a double
thickness of drywall for fire resistance purposes.
Am I violating code or reducing the level of protection by drilling a
hole to bring out a new electrical circuit? Can I place an outlet box
in the firewall? Are there ways I can/should do this to remain
code-compliant?

Thanks.

wrote in message
oups.com...
I know that the wall between my home and attached garage is a double
thickness of drywall for fire resistance purposes.
Am I violating code or reducing the level of protection by drilling a
hole to bring out a new electrical circuit? Can I place an outlet box
in the firewall? Are there ways I can/should do this to remain
code-compliant?

Thanks.


I did this when I put a sub panel in our basement to service a back yard hot
tub, and add circuits for a basement remodel project. I used a service
elbow to turn the counduit that I was running along the wall into the
basement ceiling. Inspector passed me, no questions asked. And he was a
VERY thorough inspector.

Both layers of gypsum board are required to meet code.
They must be continuous or have special equipment.
There are fire rated electric boxes.
TB

wrote in message
oups.com...
Both layers of gypsum board are required to meet code.
They must be continuous or have special equipment.
There are fire rated electric boxes.
TB


An alternative is surface mounted boxes and the proper conduit. Check out
Wiremold products.

wrote:
I know that the wall between my home and attached garage is a double
thickness of drywall for fire resistance purposes.
Am I violating code or reducing the level of protection by drilling a
hole to bring out a new electrical circuit? Can I place an outlet box
in the firewall? Are there ways I can/should do this to remain
code-compliant?

I think that you'd be better off using surface-mount components and
conduit. That way you only have the one hole where you're
bringing the conduit through the wall.

wrote in message
oups.com...
I know that the wall between my home and attached garage is a double
thickness of drywall for fire resistance purposes.
Am I violating code or reducing the level of protection by drilling a
hole to bring out a new electrical circuit? Can I place an outlet box
in the firewall? Are there ways I can/should do this to remain
code-compliant?

Thanks.


You don't necessarily need anything special. When I added receptacles to
my garage, I used standard Pass & Seymour remodel boxes (from Home depot /
Lowes). Their literature specifically stated that they were recognized for
use in 2 hr fire walls.

My inspector required use of fire rated caulk in around wire penetrations
through the wall or ceiling, for example for the cable running from the
basement as well as cables running through the top plate of the wall.

Your local codes may be more stringent. You should always check with the
local building department.

Tim

On 13 Feb 2005 21:20:03 -0800, "
wrote:

I know that the wall between my home and attached garage is a double
thickness of drywall for fire resistance purposes.
Am I violating code or reducing the level of protection by drilling a
hole to bring out a new electrical circuit? Can I place an outlet box
in the firewall? Are there ways I can/should do this to remain
code-compliant?

Thanks.
Provided this is a single family, detached house there will be no code
issues with installing an outlet as you propose.

Dan

Thanks everyone for good answers--think it will be easiest to just drop
a surface-mounted line down from the rafters where the line comes in.