?
Friday, January 27, 2023
Question:
Hello CQD. Does the NEC
® specify construction/fire rating of an electrical equipment room? If so, what is the code Section? Thanks, Glen Rosendale.
A
Answer:
Hello Glen, thanks for the question. Generally, the NEC® does not specify a fire rating for electrical equipment rooms. However, Section 9.2.6 of the 2022 NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems and International Building Code (IBC) require Electrical Equipment rooms to have a 2HR fire rating or be provided with sprinkler protection.
There are certain types of specialized electrical equipment that the NEC
® does in fact require a fire rated room for i.e., Section 450.42 requires a 3HR rated vault for oil-filled transformers.