Fire rated caulk in holes for electrical cables?

When running new BX cables from one floor to another inside the walls of a NYC brownstone, do the holes between floors that the cables run through have to be filled with fire rated caulk?  Also, do any new metal electrical boxes (e.g., for switches and sconces) have to be wrapped with insulating tape prior to plastering, or can you plaster right up against the metal?  Thanks!

LowerUWSider

in Building Code 13 years ago

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shahnandersen

in Building Code 13 years ago

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You can plaster right up to the box without a problem, that is standard practice. In fact if you asked your electrician to tap up all his boxes I imagine he would think you were hysterical right up until he realized you’re serious. AS far as the fire stopping goes, it is not required in one and 2 family homes, but it is a good idea to do if you can afford it .Intumescent caulk ain’t cheap though.

hdlbklyn | 13 years ago

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regarding the caulk: It is needed between units of multi-family buildings. For single family houses and brownstones I believe it is not required.

crash_nyc | 13 years ago

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In theory, assuming everything’s been connected together properly, the armor of the BX and all of the metal boxes in the whole system should be one complete grounded circuit. It would almost be harder for this to *not* happen than for it to happen. Additionally, if you installed metal face plates (not too common these days, but they used to be the only option) on your switches / outlets, then those plates would be directly connected to the box w/o insulation. In short, you do not need to insulate the box from anything. If a hot wire touches the inside of the box, it will be instantly grounded and blow the breaker.   As for the caulking question, I don’t know the code one that, as I’ve never owned a multi-family building, but as far as  I know, you do not need that caulking. You will find plenty of wiring going through the walls between floors.