I apologize if this has been asked before, but my search could not find a direct answer. Is a drywall ceiling mounted to the bottom of trusses considered structural as it pertains to the dedicated equipment space? There is nothing above the ceiling except insulation and bottom of roof deck.
Does Drywall Ceiling = Structural Ceiling
- Thread starter jbt260
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LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Yes, a drywall ceiling as you described is a structural ceiling.
I know this post is almost a year old, but it came up in my office. I say that a gypsum ceiling mounted to joists would be structural, but others disagree. Is there any supporting documentation to answer this topic?
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
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- Electrical Contractor
I agree such a constructed ceiling is structural, while a suspended ceiling is not.
It doesn't need to actually support the building to be structural.
It doesn't need to actually support the building to be structural.
- Location
- New Jersey
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- Journeyman Electrician
What's the difference between this ceiling and a suspended Sheetrock ceiling?
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
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- Electrical Contractor
Do you mean a solid, finished hanging ceiling or loose drywall panels in a T-bar ceiling grid?
The former, structural; the latter, not. The difference? Physical permanence vs immediate lift-out access.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
I’ve seen 2x4s suspended from structure, by wires, that were then rocked. Key word being suspended.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
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- Electrical Contractor
That I would call structural.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
It adds nothing to the structure.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
That's what I meant by "It doesn't need to actually support the building to be structural."
You're referring to a ceiling that goes from wall to wall, is mudded, and looks permanent, right?
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
No I'm referring to a finished drywall ceiling that is hung from the structure. Some thing like this drywall T-bar grid system. I'm having a hard time envisioning this as a structural ceiling.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
No, hangs like a cloud
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
If the drywall is screwed into the grid from below, mudded into a single slab and mudded where it meets the walls, and no panels lift out, then it's more like than unlike a wood-framed ceiling.
There is nothing that says that a structural ceiling is one on which the building's integrity depends.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
See previous post.
Hangs stiff like any framed ceiling, or flexible and easily removed and replaced?
I've seen stores and restaurants with sections of hanging ceiling and sections open to the roof structure.
Those I would not consider structural. They're not necessarily in the way of wiring additions.
letgomywago
Senior Member
- Location
- Washington state and Oregon coast
- Occupation
- residential electrician
A non structural ceiling would be able to be removed without tools in my personal definition.
Clearly this sparked a nerve. I'm guessing there is no clear definition? I would consider the grid type that infinity mentioned to not be structural because it is suspended and by the code... suspended ceilings are not structural.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
It's a good question because there doesn't seem to be definitive answer. IMO the NEC could do a better job with the definition.
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
Why should the NEC define a building code item? The electrician should not be the one making these decisions as others trades are also impacted by the ceiling construction. Ask the architect or the AHJ.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
The question is related to dedicated equipment space in 110.26 which uses the term structural ceiling. How can one determine if the space above the ceiling is part of the dedicated space when there is no definition of structural ceiling?
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