We have a Hospital in California that has an older wing with "Pencil Studs" (I can't find a more technical term for this kind of stud.) The stud is basically made of round wire, the stud has 2 vertical runs of wire on each end, then is connected by more wire zigzagging back and forth between the vertical members, then the walls are plaster and wire lathe. We are required by code to have our backboxes mounted to structural elements of the building, and our AHJ (OSHPD) does not consider drywall or plaster part of the structure.
Since these pencil studs are forming the walls, I think they could be considered the structure of the building, however they cannot be screwed to, since there is no flange to attach to. Does anyone have an idea on how to attached to them?
Worst case, we are opening up the wall and installing new studs, so that we can install a backbox for a new nurse call system, however that is not an ideal solution.
Does anyone have any experience or ideas on how to solve this issue?
Thanks,
Since these pencil studs are forming the walls, I think they could be considered the structure of the building, however they cannot be screwed to, since there is no flange to attach to. Does anyone have an idea on how to attached to them?
Worst case, we are opening up the wall and installing new studs, so that we can install a backbox for a new nurse call system, however that is not an ideal solution.
Does anyone have any experience or ideas on how to solve this issue?
Thanks,
