Firestop Caulking around entire device boxes?

[Aledrell]

Super texts me yesterday and says the inspector said to remember and firestop caulk around all electrical boxes in the common wall of a residential duplex.
I’ve never heard of this requirement before, I was hoping someone could enlighten me. Ofcourse there’s no reference to this requirement on the approved plans. Thx.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rock86]

hmmm... I'm wondering if he is taking 300.21 "... Openings around electrical penetrations into or through fire-resistant-rated walls, partitions, floors, or ceilings shall be firestopped... " as including the box as a penetration through the wall.

I did find this... at https://coderedconsultants.com/insights/firestopping-faq/

But at the end of the day, you should talk it out with your AHJ.

 

[Buck Parrish]

Yeah we do it. It's usually acceptable to build s sheet rock box around it in the wall. Check with the inspector of course

 

[Terminator5047]

Use fire stop putty pads

 

[gadfly56]

Use fire stop putty pads

^^^^^This. Much cheaper than building a sheet rock box around the JB or outlet box.

 

[rc/retired]

^^^^^This. Much cheaper than building a sheet rock box around the JB or outlet box.

Correct, since most don't know how to build a "listed" sheet rock box around an outlet box, recessed can, etc.

 

[gadfly56]

Correct, since most don't know how to build a "listed" sheet rock box around an outlet box, recessed can, etc.

Even if you do know how, the labor time to build a box of double thickness FireX sheet rock with properly staggered seams just doesn't make it worth it, unless you've got a something larger than a 4x4 or 5x5.

 

[Nuber]

Super texts me yesterday and says the inspector said to remember and firestop caulk around all electrical boxes in the common wall of a residential duplex.
I’ve never heard of this requirement before, I was hoping someone could enlighten me. Ofcourse there’s no reference to this requirement on the approved plans. Thx.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

See 300.21 (2020 NEC)

So your AHJ is the one you have to please. I find, as previously mentioned, putty pads work best.

Note that 314.21 may have some bearing here.

 

[Terminator5047]

I make a buck a min you think they want me messing around with drywall

 

[gadfly56]

I make a buck a min you think they want me messing around with drywall

If you spend 10 minutes thinking about how you're going to get it done, that's the cost of the pad right there.

 

[Aledrell]

See 300.21 (2020 NEC)

So your AHJ is the one you have to please. I find, as previously mentioned, putty pads work best.

Note that 314.21 may have some bearing here.

Thank you. I found a 20 pack of 7”x7” putty pads on Amazon for $64.
Sucks to be the guy who get a kiss from me that day. Here’s some playdo pads, go coat all those boxes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk