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suspended drywall ceiling

11K views 8 replies 8 participants last post by  Amish Electrician  
#1 ·
So I've got to run some pipe above an existing drywall ceiling. It's suspended on pencil rod in the usual way. About 3 feet of headroom. I've walked on suspended black iron/plaster ceilings before, but never drywall. I asked for a small apprentice from my shop to help me with this. Aside from planks, staying near the hangers and moving real carefully, anything I should know?

To tell the kid that'll actually be up there, I mean. :whistling2:
 
#6 ·
Yup, got those.
Insurance. Check.
About 10 foot drop. Kitchen and bath showroom, so not a soft spot in the place.
There are a number of access panels, but we'll see how convenient the placement is.

Let's hope they send a little elf of a man
 
#8 ·
Thats what I think as well. The code book allows you to not have to support at regular intervals as long as its fished across ceilings that have no access. In my opinion, risking the life of an apprentice= non accessible ceiling .
 
#9 ·
I'm in the 'heavyweight' class, and I've worked in many ceilings like the one you describe.

I learned early, just for my own piece of mind, to take up several of my 24" x 32" "attic boards (5/8" or better plywood) and to have them span as many of the hat channels as possible. Greater comfort, and peace of mind.

Still, I wonder ....

I suspect the next time I work such a ceiling I will find some way to rig a 'zip line' and add a fall harness to my outfit. Just in case .... after all, it's my tail at risk.