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Friday, March 25, 2016
Question:
Let’s say I have two electrical service meters positioned on an exterior garage wall on one side of a duplex. One meter will feed unit 1 directly to a panel inside the garage, while unit 2’s electrical supply will be on an external disconnect then routed through the interior of unit 1, through the fire rated wall between units, and then to its final distribution point (panel) in Unit 2’s garage.
Question, can I run a service line through a fire rated assembly in a duplex?
Thanks, Doug Varella
A
Answer:
Hey Doug thanks for your question. A service no, but what you have is a feeder and that is allowed. The external disconnect (it needs to have overcurrent protection) for unit 2 is its service equipment making the conductors supplying unit 2 feeders. Service conductors are not allowed to pass through the interior of another building or structure as stated in 230.3 but there is no similar rule for feeders. The fire resistant rated wall needs to be firestopped as stated in 300.21.