Attached Garage Shared "Fire Partition" Wall

[exranger06]

I'm doing some electrical work on the shared wall between my finished basement and attached garage. I was going to cut in an old work box on the basement side of the wall, in the same stud cavity as an existing 3-gang switch box (also on the basement side). I was going to fish a piece of Romex down from the old work box to the switch box. The old work box will have a Wiremold box attached and I was going to run Wiremold and surface-mount conduit elsewhere (this whole project is to add another light switch for the outside spotlights. Currently the only switch is in the aforementioned 3 gang box and I'm adding another one upstairs by the front door.).

Anyway, my question is, am I allowed to cut in an old work box at this location? I've read all about firewalls, and how old-work boxes are not allowed whatsoever on these walls, and boxes on opposite sides of the wall need a minimum of 24" horizontal spacing, but no mention of boxes on the same side of the wall. I've also read conflicting info that says attached garage shared walls aren't "firewalls" and those rules don't apply, some sources say they do, and I'm just confused.

 

[ard]

Use zwave switches. Then you can operate it from the front door, the couch, the bedroom, etc.

 

[AntonLargiader]

Is the potential problem that the old-work boxes are plastic?

 

[Slowgsr]

For strict fire separation you need to fur out a new wall in front of the fire separation for your devices.

Other times they just make us fire stop the boxes edge at the drywall.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Is the potential problem that the old-work boxes are plastic?

Not at all.
The problem is that the boxes are just held up with drywall.
Boxes in firewalls are required to be secured to the framing members. (The rule is in the Building Code....Not in the Electrical Code)

 

[exranger06]

Is the potential problem that the old-work boxes are plastic?

No, in fact the old work box that I bought is metal. There's a sentence in the building code that says the boxes must be attached to a stud in firewalls, so no old work boxes allowed.

 

[TRWham]

In a residence with a private garage, the separation between the garage and dwelling is not generally considered to be a fire rated assembly or a "firewall" even when the layer of 5/8" type X is called out for the ceiling between the garage and space above. Local codes may vary, but the requirements for a true firewall probably do not apply.

 

[ard]

There are old work boxes that can attach to the studs....

For example:

 

[exranger06]

Ohh, I like that! I think that's just what I need. Thanks!