Fire Safety Question

[Lightyear68]

I have a 2-car attached garage in Maryland.

Do construction codes allow a 9"X9" plastic access panel to be installed in the ceiling? I have 5/8 inch fire-rated drywall installed all around, which is code.

I want to be able to access the area above the ceiling that runs from the front of the garage, over a bulkhead, to the back side. I'm installing a wired laser park assist device and know that their lifespan is only a few years, so I'm planning ahead and trying not to have to cut a new hole if I need to replace the unit in the future. I prefer not to wire outside the drywall.

 

[woodrail]

If your garage is required to be fire rated, then you must use fire rated access panel INSTALLED CORRECTLY.

I suggest you determine your requirement, then read up on how to properly do it.

 

[Lightyear68]

Thanks for the information. I didn't know there was such a thing as a fire-rated access panel.

I just found this video tutorial and it looks like a manageable project.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

Make the panel out of the same fire rated drywall as the ceiling.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Thanks for the information. I didn't know there was such a thing as a fire-rated access panel.

I just found this video tutorial and it looks like a manageable project.

Hopefully you can find an access panel like the one in the video reasonable cheap. It looks liek a nice slick install.

 

[woodrail]

Make the panel out of the same fire rated drywall as the ceiling.

This technically won't work as more than likely all joints will be reuired to be taped.

Of course, nothing stops you from building a "break out" panel. This could be your most economical solution if you only require very limited (years apart) access.

 

[wssix99]

Do construction codes allow a 9"X9" plastic
access panel to be installed in the ceiling?

Not where I live. I can't have any openings/doors at all, except for doors going outside the building or the one passage way from the garage to the house.

You'll need to read your own local code to confirm.

 

[Architorture]

You'll never be able to get there with a plastic panel although there are many rated access panels available in steel

If the panel is to allow for wiring you could just install a steel box for the wiring which should maintain your rating assuming you don't have 100 square inches of boxes in the ceiling already