garage panel sheetrock

[Bruce A. King]

How much sheetrock is required on walls adjacent to garage panels?

New house, has 3 feet+ on right side, top and bottom but only 1 inch at left side.

Code reference?

thanks!

added with edit: question does not pertain to working space, simply sheetrock on exterior garage walls around panels.

[Mike Whitt]

There is no electrical requirement to have any wall covering in place.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by Mike Whitt

There is no electrical requirement to have any wall covering in place.

The only requirement as far as wall installation is working space...

Attachment 14522

[Michael R. Boyett]

But my understanding is that 30" requirement is not a fixed dimension. In other words, it can be 30" from the left edge of the panel and extending out to the right. I don't think there's anything wrong with 1" clearance on the left.

[Bruce A. King]

The question is not about working space...

Simply sheetrock around garage panels for fireblocking or cable protection issues.

Must be a code reason somewhere because even the cheapest builders will put some drywall around the garage panel, even when on an exterior wall.

Here is a discussion about this... but still no code reason to have it....
http://boards.hgtv.com/eve/forums/a/...2/m/7351097013

[Michael R. Boyett]

OK then, are you saying that the rest of the garage is not rocked? Why would putting up a little sheetrock around an electrical panel provide any fireblocking? I guess I can't quite see the scenario so I'll bow out gracefully now before I confuse myself any further.

[Bruce A. King]

Only the garage walls adjacent to the living space are covered.

Around here they put a sheet up around the panel.
Maybe just for a better fit for the panel cover?

Just thought of a good reason, this helps prevent access to the panel knockouts and discourages homeowner wiring.

[pdickerson]

Is there a local requirement for this? It certainly isn't required in my area.

[Speedy Petey]

Originally Posted by bking

Must be a code reason somewhere because even the cheapest builders will put some drywall around the garage panel, even when on an exterior wall.

I'll quote Mike here:

There is no electrical requirement to have any wall covering in place.

If they are specifically doing it in your area then there is either a local requirement for it, or they just feel like it.

[brian winkle]

It has to be for protection of the romexes leaving the panel.

[Mike Whitt]

Originally Posted by brian winkle

It has to be for protection of the romexes leaving the panel.

From what?????

[brian winkle]

Originally Posted by Mike Whitt

From what?????

rakes, shovels, bikes, saws, ladders, dogs, whatever you keep in the garage.

A panel mounted to the studs with no sheetrock around it would have exposed home runs. Around here it would fail a final inspection, the conductors at that height would be considered subject to damage. Also, I am certain the IRC, which is used by our local building inspectors, prohibits exposed Romex less than 7 feet from the floor.

[Marc D. Shunk]

Originally Posted by brian winkle

... Also, I am certain the IRC, which is used by our local building inspectors, prohibits exposed Romex less than 7 feet from the floor.

Then you area also certainly wrong. No such language exists in the IRC.

Feel free to call out exposed romex if it gives you warm fuzzies to do so, but it meets the letter of the NEC and the IRC. I'm sure someone's bound to point out that you're held to a different standard as home inspectors, existance of local rules, blah, blah, blah...

[brian winkle]

Then it must be a local thing, I know we are never allowed exposed Romex where it is low enough to be possibly damaged. I guess our inspectors are mis interpereting 300.4

I'd sure like to know where the 7 foot rule came from, it is used by all of our county & city inspectors. I do not see it in our NEC ammendments.

P.S. I am not the guy who calls it out, I am the guy who gets called out to fix it!

[Bruce A. King]

I believe there is a code about not having exposed wiring within 6 or 7 feet of attic stairs or scuttles.