Smallest box for smoke detectors

[75gmck25]

Not a garage question:

I want to add some additional wired smoke detectors to my house, but cutting holes for a full sized junction box and dealing with insulation above the plaster ceiling makes quite a mess.

Could I use one of these small pancake boxes for the smoke detector wiring connections, and just drill a hole in the ceiling for wiring to come through? There is very little weight for a smoke detector, so I could probably just screw the pancake box onto the plaster, or use a couple of moly's.
Or maybe a smoke detector wouldn't fit completely up and over this box, since its more typically used for a fan with a housing?
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RACO-4-...PIPHorizontal2_rr-_-206811308-_-205469650-_-N

Thanks,

Bruce

 

[couch67]

Bruce, I think for the box to meet min code, the box has to extend through the drywall. So you would have to cut the full circle (or octagon) to allow the box to pass right through.

You are going to have at least one or two 14-3's in the box, with a few wire connectors, so I think a deeper octagon rework box would be more suitable.

couch

 

[Norcal]

A pancake box will not meet wire fill requirements.

 

[PCustoms]

4" Holesaw and a round remodel box won't work for you?

No matter what box you use you will be fishing wire, so you will have to be breaking into plaster and moving insulation a bit.

 

[bczygan]

How about a 10 year battery powered?

I have them everywhere.

Bill

 

[malibu101]

If you just want to drill a hole for a wire and not recess a box, perhaps a surface mount box could work?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Legrand...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CLSZ2svMrt0CFUe1swodVdYOWw

 

[Dagny]

what kind of insulation?

 

[Norcal]

4" Holesaw and a round remodel box won't work for you?

No matter what box you use you will be fishing wire, so you will have to be breaking into plaster and moving insulation a bit.

Of all cut-in boxes that is positively the worst one to use, the wings are a real PITA to use.

 

[matt_i]

How about a 10 year battery powered?

I have them everywhere.

Bill

If you get into BRK's .pdf catalog (parent company of Kidde) they have a wide array of wireless detectors. To the point that they can call out, in english, the location on the "network" that is detecting the fire. Potentially more useful than all of them going off at once.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Since you are asking about a box, are these hardwired detectors ?


We have a program going on right now in partnership with the Red Cross and we install detectors like the ones Bill posted. They have a li-on (IIRC) battery and are good for 10 years, when the battery is dead, replace the detector as that's their life span also. We do it free of charge, so you may want to check out your local fire dept's FB page, city website or make an inquiring call.

 

[bczygan]

Since you are asking about a box, are these hardwired detectors ?


We have a program going on right now in partnership with the Red Cross and we install detectors like the ones Bill posted. They have a li-on (IIRC) battery and are good for 10 years, when the battery is dead, replace the detector as that's their life span also. We do it free of charge, so you may want to check out your local fire dept's FB page, city website or make an inquiring call.

That is exactly the program that supplied my detectors!!! And for FREE!

They install one for each level in your home. A wonderful program! Thank you for your participation!

Plus I bought and installed additional ones.

Bill