Hoping someone with construction background can help answer my question.
I need to mount my WYZE V2 door bell cam about 18 inches higher from the original mounting hole and where the original doorbell button was located. It will be between the same vertical studs as original. I’m wondering if there are typically horizontal (fire break) studs between every set of vertical studs? I need to fish the wires up to the recommended WYZE cam height, I think it is like 5 foot or don’t remember RN. I tried probing from the original hole with a wire but I can’t tell if there is a horizontal stud can’t get the wire high enough. And I don’t believe my standard stud finders will work to scan for studs as the exterior of the home is stuco.
SO question is there typically horizontal studs between each vertical stud? And if yes is there a code for how high those are at?
Of course there is a code. A quick search will show you they can be no higher than 10 feet depending on a lot of things. If I were you I would go to or call your local city/town/county planning, permit and building inspection office and ask the what the requirements are for your area. You don’t have to tell them what you are doing, just make up a story.
I think that they are probably at the 4-5 foot level depending on when the house was built and how tall the wall are. The may also be staggered by a few inches up or down instead of straight across. between all the wall studs.
This one looks like approx. 4 feet staggered an inch or more all the way across.
As @Antonius mentioned, code in most places is 10 feet or more requires blocking. However there are plenty of 8 foot walls that use it (either due to the framer being above code, or local requirements). Unfortunately there is no way to know for sure. You might be able to find out by using a stud finder on the inside wall but it depends what the wall is made of. Coming from the outside, if you use a stud finder that has “deep scan” feature, it might work, but the sheathing interferes.
A good electrician can fish through blocking using flexible drill bits etc, but doing it between two small holes is very difficult. If you have the option of removing a piece of siding and opening a bit larger hole behind it, that may give you the access you need to see what is in there and drill a hole if needed. Then fill the hole with foam and put the piece of siding back on.
The blocking should be approximately halfway, but there is no hard and fast rule, and often are staggered a few inches to make it easier to nail them.
