Floor boxes/fire codes

Dec 05, 2006 3 Replies

According to the NEC:



"Openings around electrical penetrations through fire-resistant-rated walls, partitions, floors, or ceilings shall be firestopped using approved methods to maintain the fire resistance rating."



So, I'm sitting at a table in a coffee shop in a brand new office building and I see a convenient floor receptacle in which to plug my laptop. The receptacle is one of those combination power, phone, network, etc. units. I flip open open one of the covers and find that it is for a telephone or LAN outlet which hasn't yet been installed. I found myself staring straight into the parking garage below.



In my experience, a rated floor has always been required between a parking garage and other occupancies. So, how to they get away with not even putting a metal box behind the (plastic) cover?


I think floor assemblies between storeys typically have some fire rating, not just above e.g. parkades. Sounds to me like one the inspector didn't see on his trip through.

j

You have yourself a lawsuit. CHA-CHING!

Well maybe for the top post. ;-)

But not for the code violation unless I suffer some sort of loss. That's the job of our state dept. of labor and industries. They have their hands full keeping construction cranes from falling down around here. :-/

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