The Metacaulk Cover Guard is a 1-piece fire-rated gasket designed to meet the "24-inch rule" for electrical boxes installed in rated walls.

Metacaulk Cover Guard is a one-piece fire-rated gasket designed to help meet the “24-inch rule” for electrical boxes installed in rated wall assemblies. It provides reliable fire protection by helping maintain the integrity of fire-rated walls where electrical boxes require additional firestop protection.

When exposed to heat, the intumescent material expands to form a protective char that helps seal openings, prevent flame spread, and limit heat transfer to unexposed areas. Designed for electrical boxes installed in opposite directions with less than 24 inches of horizontal separation, Metacaulk Cover Guard also provides a solution for standard electrical boxes where the 100-square-inch rule is exceeded.

Key Features

• Intumescent material expands when exposed to heat to form a protective char.

• Helps seal openings and prevent flame spread during fire exposure.

• Designed to help satisfy the “24-inch rule” for electrical boxes in rated walls.

• Mounts inside cover plates for quick and efficient installation.

• Installs simultaneously with cover plates to reduce labor time.

• Space-saving design does not take up electrical box volume.

• Provides a practical alternative to traditional putty pads.

• Reduces sound transmission with an STC rating of 54.

• Meets ASTM E814 (UL 1479) standards for firestop systems.

• Suitable for both metal and plastic cover plates.

• Tested for 1-hour and 2-hour fire-rated applications.

Common Applications

• Electrical boxes installed in rated wall assemblies.

• Opposite-facing electrical boxes with less than 24 inches of horizontal separation.

• Standard electrical boxes where the 100-square-inch rule is exceeded.

• Fire-rated partitions.

• Commercial buildings.

• Residential construction.

• Institutional facilities.

• Firestop retrofit applications.

Ideal For

• Electrical box fire protection.

• Metal cover plates.

• Plastic cover plates.

• Fire-rated wall assemblies.

• New construction.

• Renovation and retrofit projects.

Key Benefits

Reliable Fire Protection

The intumescent gasket expands during fire exposure to form a protective char that helps seal openings, prevent flame spread, and reduce heat transfer through electrical box penetrations.

Easy Installation

Metacaulk Cover Guard installs inside the cover plate and is applied at the same time as the cover plate, helping save installation time and labor.

Space-Saving Design

The one-piece gasket provides fire protection without reducing the available volume inside the electrical box, making it an efficient alternative to putty pads.

Sound Reduction

With an STC rating of 54, Metacaulk Cover Guard helps reduce sound transmission through walls and electrical box openings.

Code-Compliant Performance

Designed to meet UL 1479 requirements and tested for approved 1-hour and 2-hour fire-rated applications.

How to Use

Surface Preparation

• Ensure the electrical box and cover plate surfaces are clean and free from debris.

• Verify the installation complies with an approved fire-rated wall assembly.

• Confirm compatibility with the electrical box and cover plate.

Application Instructions

1. Position the Metacaulk Cover Guard inside the cover plate.

2. Install the cover plate with the gasket properly aligned.

3. Ensure the gasket covers the required opening area.

4. Confirm installation follows the approved firestop system requirements.

Important Notes

• Install only in tested and approved firestop assemblies.

• Follow manufacturer installation instructions and applicable building codes.

• Verify compatibility with the electrical box, cover plate, and wall assembly.

• Designed for passive fire protection applications only.

Product Information

Property	Description
Brand	Metacaulk Cover Guard
Product Type	One-piece fire-rated electrical box gasket
Color	Black
Application	Electrical boxes installed in rated wall assemblies
Fire Protection Method	Intumescent expansion technology
Sound Rating	STC 54
Test Standard	ASTM E814 (UL 1479)
Fire Ratings	Tested for 1-hour and 2-hour applications
Cover Plate Compatibility	Metal and plastic cover plates
Case Weight	1.26 lbs
Case Dimensions	Height: 5.25 in × Length: 4.75 in × Width: 4.50 in
UPC	021449662727
Interleaved	10021449662724

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. What is Metacaulk Cover Guard?
Metacaulk Cover Guard is a one-piece fire-rated gasket designed to protect electrical boxes installed in rated wall assemblies and help maintain fire resistance.

Q2. What requirement does Metacaulk Cover Guard help satisfy?
It is designed to help meet the “24-inch rule” requirements for electrical boxes installed in fire-rated walls.

Q3. How does Metacaulk Cover Guard provide fire protection?
When exposed to heat, the intumescent material expands to form a protective char that helps seal openings, prevent flame spread, and reduce heat transfer.

Q4. Where is Metacaulk Cover Guard used?
It is used with electrical boxes installed in approved rated wall assemblies where additional fire protection is required.

Q5. Is Metacaulk Cover Guard easy to install?
Yes. The one-piece gasket design allows simple installation inside the cover plate without requiring additional firestop materials or special tools.