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  1. #1
    Matt Reeser's Avatar
    Matt Reeser Guest

    Default Drywall Fire Code

    Hey,

    I would like to cut a hole in a fire rated drywall and screw in an over sized patch of drywall over it. Is this acceptable? Should I use a fire rated compound?

    I would like to keep this hole accessible without the use of a fire rated access door or an expensive fire rated composite sheet.

    Matt

    Inspection Referral

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Columbus GA
    Posts
    3,747

    Default Re: Drywall Fire Code

    Quote Originally Posted by Matt Reeser View Post
    Hey,

    I would like to cut a hole in a fire rated drywall and screw in an over sized patch of drywall over it. Is this acceptable? Should I use a fire rated compound?

    I would like to keep this hole accessible without the use of a fire rated access door or an expensive fire rated composite sheet.

    Matt
    Hi Matt
    This is not as simple as you may think.
    I have a few questions
    Why do you think this is a Fire wall
    Is this a multi family unit (condo, townhouse, apartment, or similar), business, commercial, or a single family home?
    What are you going to do (why do you need a hole)?

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  3. #3
    Matt Reeser's Avatar
    Matt Reeser Guest

    Default Re: Drywall Fire Code

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell View Post
    Hi Matt
    This is not as simple as you may think.
    I have a few questions
    Why do you think this is a Fire wall
    Is this a multi family unit (condo, townhouse, apartment, or similar), business, commercial, or a single family home?
    What are you going to do (why do you need a hole)?

    Hey,

    This is in a MDU utility/cable closet.


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Snowbird (this means I'm retired and migrate between locations), FL/MI
    Posts
    4,086

    Default Re: Drywall Fire Code

    No you may not.


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    2,809

    Default Re: Drywall Fire Code

    Quote Originally Posted by Matt Reeser View Post
    Hey,

    I would like to cut a hole in a fire rated drywall and screw in an over sized patch of drywall over it. Is this acceptable? Should I use a fire rated compound?

    I would like to keep this hole accessible without the use of a fire rated access door or an expensive fire rated composite sheet.

    Matt


    Patching over the hole you would have to mud and tape the edges like the rest of the walls.


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Posts
    274

    Default Re: Drywall Fire Code

    There are ways to do it, but you need to check with the AHJ and get their blessing on it.


  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    No. San Diego Co., CA
    Posts
    562

    Default Re: Drywall Fire Code

    Quote Originally Posted by H.G. Watson, Sr. View Post
    No you may not.
    Yes, you may.


  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    2,809

    Default Re: Drywall Fire Code

    Quote Originally Posted by Matt Reeser View Post
    Hey,

    I would like to cut a hole in a fire rated drywall and screw in an over sized patch of drywall over it. Is this acceptable? Should I use a fire rated compound?

    I would like to keep this hole accessible without the use of a fire rated access door or an expensive fire rated composite sheet.

    Matt
    A little confused.
    If you patch the hole, which is fine, how do you keep it accessible ?
    You would have to remove the patch for access then repatch.
    How about a steel plate bedded in joint compound to seal it? How often do you want/need access is the real question...


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Ben Lomond, CA
    Posts
    72

    Default Re: Drywall Fire Code

    A fire rated access door runs less than a hundred dollars. elmdorproducts.com


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Wenatchee Wa
    Posts
    301

    Default Re: Drywall Fire Code

    I think there are also covers out there that are removable (screws) that most likely would work also.

    Don Hester
    NCW Home Inspections, LLC
    Wa. St. Licensed H I #647, WSDA #80050, http://www.ncwhomeinspections.com

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    St. Louis, Mo. area.
    Posts
    280

    Default Re: Drywall Fire Code

    Bottom line is, although many of us have opinions, we're not the authorities - at least not in your jurisdiction. You would be best served by contacting your local code authority, probably a city or county engineer, for a definitive answer to your very good question. I'm guessing that you will find him or her to be very helpful, and that they will be very happy to tell you exactly how to do this in a way that they would accept.

    Good luck with your project!


  12. #12

    Default Re: Drywall Fire Code

    In the past I have been able to screw a piece of oversized 3/4" plywood over the hole. Have no idea if it satisfies the code but it has satisfied the inspectors.


  13. #13
    don agel's Avatar
    don agel Guest

    Default Re: Drywall Fire Code

    Quote Originally Posted by Eric Gulotta View Post
    In the past I have been able to screw a piece of oversized 3/4" plywood over the hole. Have no idea if it satisfies the code but it has satisfied the inspectors.
    Not sure how that made it by. Further CE may be needed for the local building inspection depts. There are numerous ways to make it safe and fire rated. metal wrap, type x drywall or metal covered panels, fire rated sealants, bringing the panel to the outer surface of the wall, the list goes on. My favorite is the cutting into the firewall separation for the installation of thin walled recessed plastic plumbing boxes. Another joy is a pull down ladder in the ceiling of an attached garage. List goes on and on. But the fact and blunt truth remains that this wall separation is designed and rated for reasons and those need never be forgotten as human life is more precious than any installed component in a home.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by Eric Gulotta View Post
    In the past I have been able to screw a piece of oversized 3/4" plywood over the hole. Have no idea if it satisfies the code but it has satisfied the inspectors.
    Not sure how that made it by. Further CE may be needed for the local building inspection depts. There are numerous ways to make it safe and fire rated. metal wrap, type x drywall or metal covered panels, fire rated sealants, bringing the panel to the outer surface of the wall, the list goes on. My favorite is the cutting into the firewall separation for the installation of thin walled recessed plastic plumbing boxes. Another joy is a pull down ladder in the ceiling of an attached garage. List goes on and on. But the fact and blunt truth remains that this wall separation is designed and rated for reasons and those need never be forgotten as human life is more precious than any installed component in a home.


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