wood or no wood for service panel

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We mount our control panels for TV studio lighting and automation on plywood backers when attached to building structure (as opposed to scenery). In all cases, those backers are painted with FR paint by our paint shop. It's a pretty universal standard in entertainment that no raw wood is allowed.

I'm following the same idea on my own house's service change; I'm mounting everything to 3/4" painted plywood, stood off the wall on Unistrut "legs." The walls of my basement are anything be straight, and it's easier to set some Unistrut rather than deal with making any other solution plumb. I'm told it's one of the inspector's bugaboos that there be plywood, and it be painted.


SceneryDriver
 
kwired said:
Scrap pieces of PVC or EMT work great as well.
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Then you're going to waste a bunch of time trying to cut them all exactly the same.

I guess you could go through the trouble of building a bench, then bringing a vice from home and mounting it. Clamp in your pipe so you make sure to get a good straight cut. Then break out a grinder and a wire brush to make them all perfect and pretty
 
I won't single anyone out but scrap wood that's just laying around for a several thousand dollar service job? 1/2 a sheet of 3/4" pressure treated plywood is about $30.
 
infinity said:
I won't single anyone out but scrap wood that's just laying around for a several thousand dollar service job? 1/2 a sheet of 3/4" pressure treated plywood is about $30.
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Is your point about the scrap or about costs?

If you need a certain dimension board and can find one in the scrap pile who cares if it was new or if it was scrap? The tree huggers probably appreciate you using one from scrap pile vs buying something new, cutting off what you need and trashing the remainder.

I also don't get the comments about requiring painted lumber if attaching a panel to it. If those same people are fitting a flush panel that fits perfectly between two studs do you paint those studs also?
 
dm9289 said:
In my area that has basements it is common practice to put a large piece of plywood on the wall before attaching service panel.
1.It gives you an area to attach romex
2.It gives you a slight barrier with the block wall incase its wet

Is there any other reason to use or not use plywood as a backer, as many know wood is getting very expensive.

Thank you for your input
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I would never use flakeboard any where especially in a damp location. I'm m old school. Usually purchase a 4 by 8' sheet of 3/4" plywood then cut it up in a few different lengths. I installed a 3/4" piece of plywood on my concrete basement wall over 45 years ago. Gave it two coats of Rust-Oleum paint and it still looks great. Like others replied would ask the local AHJ for wood substitutes.
 
garbo said:
I would never use flakeboard any where especially in a damp location. I'm m old school. Usually purchase a 4 by 8' sheet of 3/4" plywood then cut it up in a few different lengths. I installed a 3/4" piece of plywood on my concrete basement wall over 45 years ago. Gave it two coats of Rust-Oleum paint and it still looks great. Like others replied would ask the local AHJ for wood substitutes.
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I'd be asking the building supply places for wood substitutes and not the AHJ.;)
 
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