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Tony Vargas
05-14-2011, 02:52 PM
Has anyone ever inspected a garage with drop ceiling. I figure it needs to be some fire rated material or mineral fiber but without knowing how do you write it up without freaking the client out . i never seen a garage with it
Bruce Ramsey
05-14-2011, 04:38 PM
What's above the ceiling? If it is just roof rafters/trusses, no big deal. If there is a finished living space above, then there needs to be a fire resistant barrier.

It all depends on what is above the drop cieling.
Jerry Peck
05-15-2011, 08:08 AM
What's above the ceiling? If it is just roof rafters/trusses, no big deal. If there is a finished living space above, then there needs to be a fire resistant barrier.

It all depends on what is above the drop cieling.

Yes, it all depends on what is above the drop ceiling, and if it is "just roof rafters/trusses", then 1/2" gypsum board (or equivalent) is required above the drop ceiling tiles IF: 1) the garage is attached to the house AND; 2) the wall separating the garage from the house does not go all the way to the roof deck.

I.e., the garage still requires separation from the house and the drop ceiling does not cut the mustard for that.
Tony Vargas
05-15-2011, 08:19 AM
And now i know thanks for the help guys much appreciated.
Fred Weck
05-16-2011, 06:02 AM
Although it is probably not the case here, there are drop ceilings that are fire rated assemblies.
Jerry Peck
05-16-2011, 02:40 PM
Although it is probably not the case here, there are drop ceilings that are fire rated assemblies.


"there are drop ceilings that are fire rated assemblies"

Yes, there are, but ...

"Although it is probably not the case here,"

I thought of the fire-rated drop ceiling assemblies, the likelihood that such a system was installed in a garage, and the likelihood that such a system would be installed properly in a garage, and ...

I wrote such a system off as being highly unlikely, and even less likely to be installed properly. :)

One of those things where you answer the judge as follows: "Yes, your Honor, it is 'possible' ... it is also 'possible' that the house burned down this morning as we sit here discussing it ... but neither is even remotely 'likely'." :D
Markus Keller
05-16-2011, 06:09 PM
I installed a Spec'ed fire rated ceiling once on a commercial job. Man that stuff was expensive.
I've also inspected a few. As Jerry mentioned they are rarely installed right. The ones I inspected had fire rated panels. However all the rails and hanging strap were the typical cheap stuff one buys at HD. Had to defect them all.