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Air sealed boxes N1102.4.5&6

steveray

SAWHORSE
Joined
Nov 25, 2009
Messages
11,751
Location
West of the river CT
Anyone got any thoughts on whether or not bath fans should fall under N1102.4.6? Never seen a gasketed one like a recessed light fixture, and the section does put lights in a different category where I can ASSUME that the fans would also be if that was the intent.....

N1102.4.5 (R402.4.5) Recessed lighting. Recessed luminaires
installed in the building thermal envelope shall be
sealed to limit air leakage between conditioned and
unconditioned spaces. Recessed luminaires shall be IC rated
and labeled as having an air leakage rate of not
greater than 2.0 cfm (0.944 L/s) when tested in accordance
with ASTM E283 at a pressure differential of 1.57
psf (75 Pa). Recessed luminaires shall be sealed with a
gasket or caulked between the housing and the interior
wall or ceiling covering.
N1102.4.6 (R402.4.6) Electrical and communication
outlet boxes (air-sealed boxes)
. Electrical and communication
outlet boxes installed in the building thermal
envelope shall be sealed to limit air leakage between
conditioned and unconditioned spaces. Electrical and
communication outlet boxes shall be tested in accordance
with NEMA OS 4, Requirements for Air-Sealed Boxes for
Electrical and Communication Applications, and shall
have an air leakage rate of not greater than 2.0 cubic feet
per minute (0.944 L/s) at a pressure differential of 1.57
 
shall be sealed to limit air leakage between conditioned and unconditioned spaces

Doesn't that wording mean you do not have to seal the boxes in the foam wall described? They are not in the air barrier layer and will not contribute to air leakage.
 
No exceptions when it is "in" the thermal envelope....Although I think they are trying to fix it in 2024...If the whole thing doesn't get thrown out over electrification....

Electrical and communication
outlet boxes installed in the building thermal
envelope shall be sealed

Electrical and
communication outlet boxes shall be tested in accordance
with NEMA OS 4,
 
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