Service panel Question

[Curtis E. Petty]

I have noted in 2 inspection recently were the main service panel was installed in a garage on the side of the wall where in compromise the 1 hr fire wall.Don't code require that the electrical panel cann't be installed in the common wall that seperates the living area.I read this,but if paul is on board this would be a great question for him.I can not find this information now.


Curtis Petty

[Greg Fretwell]

The garage wall may not actually need to be a fire rated assembly. The IRC and Florida code only requies the ceiling to be fire rated and only if there is dwelling space above the garage.
I don't know what code y'all have up north

[cbuell]

(IRC) 309.2 Separation required.
The garage shall be separated from the residence and its attic area by not less than 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) gypsum board applied to the garage side. Garages beneath habitable rooms shall be separated from all habitable rooms above by not less than 5/8-inch (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum board or equivalent. Where the separation is a floor-ceiling assembly, the structure supporting the separation shall also be protected by not less than 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) gypsum board or equivalent.

[Greg Fretwell]

You are right, I mis spoke. It is not a 1 hour wall.

[Bruce A. King]

Originally Posted by cpetty

I have noted in 2 inspection recently were the main service panel was installed in a garage on the side of the wall where in compromise the 1 hr fire wall.Don't code require that the electrical panel cann't be installed in the common wall that seperates the living area.I read this,but if paul is on board this would be a great question for him.I can not find this information now.

Curtis Petty

If the panel cover is on correctly you have metal (2+ layers) instead of
sheetrock so the fire rating at the panel is much better, not a problem.