holes in garage ceilings

[TheCommish]

yes we have been do this path before while discussing pull down stair in a garage ceilings. Given 2015 IRC, section 302.5 and table 302.6, the holes are hockey puck LED (replacement for full recessed cans)

R302.5.2 Duct penetration. Ducts in the garage and ducts
penetrating the walls or ceilings separating the dwelling
from the garage shall be constructed of a minimum No. 26
gage (0.48 mm) sheet steel or other approved material and
shall not have openings into the garage.
R302.5.3 Other penetrations. Penetrations through the
separation required in Section R302.6 shall be protected as
required by Section R302.11, Item 4.

They are not ducts or pipes so other penetrations see 302.11 item 4, 302.11 is fireblockeig

4. At openings around vents, pipes, ducts, cables and
wires at ceiling and floor level, with an approved material
to resist the free passage of flame and products of
combustion. The material filling this annular space
shall not be required to meet the ASTM E 136 requirements.

LED is not a vent, pipe, duct, cable and wire.

let the discourse begin

 

[Mr. Inspector]

Saw them at one inspection. I said they don't comply with code unless they can prove it to me. They took them out.

 

[cda]

Is this the answer???


R302.11 Fireblocking

In combustible construction, fireblocking shall be provided to cut off both vertical and horizontal concealed draft openings and to form an effective fire barrier between stories, and between a top story and the roof space.

Fireblocking shall be provided in wood-framed construction in the following locations:

1. 
   In concealed spaces of stud walls and partitions, including furred spaces and parallel rows of studs or staggered studs, as follows:
   1. 1.1. Vertically at the ceiling and floor levels.
   2. 1.2. Horizontally at intervals not exceeding 10 feet (3048 mm).
2. At interconnections between concealed vertical and horizontal spaces such as occur at soffits, drop ceilings and cove ceilings.
3. In concealed spaces between stair stringers at the top and bottom of the run. Enclosed spaces under stairs shall comply with Section R302.7.
4. At openings around vents, pipes, ducts, cables and wires at ceiling and floor level, with an approved material to resist the free passage of flame and products of combustion. The material filling this annular space shall not be required to meet the ASTM E136 requirements.
5. For the fireblocking of chimneys and fireplaces, see Section R1003.19.
6. Fireblocking of cornices of a two-family dwelling is required at the line of dwelling unit separation.

What are you all doing with the electrical outlet for the garage door opener??

 

[Paul Sweet]

LED lights are available that mount on a regular octagon box.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

What are you all doing with the electrical outlet for the garage door opener??

Most j boxes have a fire rating. The blue plastic ones have a 1 hr rating.

 

[steveray]

If it is sealed upish....Play through....

 

[johnpanzer]

Is this still a relevant interpretation about “other” penetrations beyond those listed explicitly?

https://www3.iccsafe.org/cs/committeeArea/pdf_file/RE_15_04_16.pdf

 

[TheCommish]

The language in the 2021 IRC seems to match exactly so I would say the interpretation still holds true

 

[jar546]

Saw them at one inspection. I said they don't comply with code unless they can prove it to me. They took them out.

That is how we always handled it. There are some that don't believe it can be enforced, however.

 

[tbz]

the better light manufactures make insulation housings that are fire rated for 2h, that work with the recessed lights.

Or when they frame out build in drywalled boxes that when covered over that the lights then recess into.

 

[steveray]

R302.5.3 Other penetrations. Penetrations through the
separation required in Section R302.6 shall be protected
as required by Section R302.11, Item 4.

I believe the intent here is ALL other penetrations.....And betting they just didn't add that language to R302.11 as it would get confusing.....

Now that I read the interp, guess they agree...