Basements, Attics and Crawl Spaces - recessed lights behind fire barrier wall

Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.



PDA
drewpix
03-14-05, 04:47 PM
posted this in a different forum, but probably makes more sense here.

I live in a townhouse, and I would like to install some recessed lighting cans in one particular room. However, my attic crawlspace ends at a fire barrier wall about halfway over the room. Several of my desired can locations would sit on the other side of the barrier wall. If I use "remodel" type cans, I don't need the attic access, however I would still need to run electrical wiring through the firewall (probably through a drilled hole in the joist that supports the wall). Is this a bad, bad idea?

thanks for any advice,
drew

Ed Imeduc
03-16-05, 09:24 AM
Just call and ask code there where you are . If you can

ED ;)
Brian Garrison
03-17-05, 05:44 PM
drewpix,

If indeed it is a true fire assymbly any pentration needs to meet the fire rating of the assymbly you are going through. A one hour assymbly would need to have any penetrations in metal conduit. You would need to fire caulk or fire tape the penetration on both sides depending on the local codes. The conduit would have to end in metal junction boxes as well. If it is Condominium it could even be a two hour assymbly. If that is the case it may be no penetrations. If it is just a draft stop you would need to just seal any penetrations so no air or fire could travel through.

I hope this helps.

Good Luck.

Brian Garrison
General Contractor/Professional Building Designer