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title: Access Doors and Panels
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description: >
When to use: Architectural access doors and panels set into walls and ceilings to provide concealed, repeatable access to valves, dampers, cleanouts, junction boxes, shutoffs, and other serviceable equipment hidden behind a finished surface. Covers panel type by substrate and finish (flush universal for drywall, masonry, and plaster; recessed for tile; recessed for drywall or plaster infill; drywall-bead taping-flange; surface-mount), gasketed and insulated panels for exterior or thermal-barrier locations, fire-rated access doors that are UL or ULC listed and labeled (insulated, self-closing, self-latching, for use in fire-resistance-rated wall and ceiling assemblies under IBC Section 716), security panels with no exposed hardware, materials and gauges (cold-rolled and galvannealed steel, stainless steel, aluminum), frame types for each substrate, latch and hinge selection, prime and factory finish, sizing for the largest serviceable component, accessibility of operable parts, and coordination so a panel is provided wherever a concealed device requires service.
− Not intended for: Floor access doors and floor hatches, roof hatches and smoke vents; duct-mounted access doors that are part of the duct system (see [[syncs/hvac-ductwork]]); large equipment-access or louvered doors; finish swinging doors and frames (see [[syncs/doors-frames-and-hardware]]); fire dampers and their listing (see [[syncs/firestopping]], adjacent); and access to equipment that is reached through a normal door rather than a wall or ceiling panel.
+ Not intended for: Floor access doors and floor hatches, roof hatches and smoke vents; duct-mounted access doors that are part of the duct system (see [[sync/hvac-ductwork]]); large equipment-access or louvered doors; finish swinging doors and frames (see [[sync/doors-frames-and-hardware]]); fire dampers and their listing (see [[sync/firestopping]], adjacent); and access to equipment that is reached through a normal door rather than a wall or ceiling panel.
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## The location of each access door and panel shall be [[drawing: as indicated on the architectural reflected ceiling plans, wall elevations, and the mechanical, plumbing, and electrical drawings that locate the concealed devices served]].
−## This work shall be coordinated with [[syncs/gypsum-board-assemblies]] for panel openings, framing, and finishing at gypsum walls and ceilings.
+## This work shall be coordinated with [[sync/gypsum-board-assemblies]] for panel openings, framing, and finishing at gypsum walls and ceilings.
−## This work shall be coordinated with [[syncs/ceramic-tile]] for recessed tile-infill panels so that the panel module aligns with the tile coursing.
+## This work shall be coordinated with [[sync/ceramic-tile]] for recessed tile-infill panels so that the panel module aligns with the tile coursing.
−## This work shall be coordinated with [[syncs/firestopping]] where a rated penetration and a rated access panel occur in the same assembly.
+## This work shall be coordinated with [[sync/firestopping]] where a rated penetration and a rated access panel occur in the same assembly.
## This work shall be coordinated with the mechanical, plumbing, and electrical trades so that a panel is provided at every concealed valve, damper, cleanout, shutoff, and serviceable device, and sized for the largest component to be reached.
−## This work shall be coordinated with [[syncs/hvac-ductwork]] so that wall and ceiling access panels serving duct-mounted devices are distinguished from the duct-mounted access doors furnished as part of the ductwork.
+## This work shall be coordinated with [[sync/hvac-ductwork]] so that wall and ceiling access panels serving duct-mounted devices are distinguished from the duct-mounted access doors furnished as part of the ductwork.
# Referenced Standards {toc}
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### A flush universal panel shall not be used in a tiled or otherwise finished surface where a recessed infill panel is required to receive the finish.
−### A recessed-for-tile panel shall be located and sized so that the panel tile aligns with the surrounding tile coursing, coordinated with [[syncs/ceramic-tile]].
+### A recessed-for-tile panel shall be located and sized so that the panel tile aligns with the surrounding tile coursing, coordinated with [[sync/ceramic-tile]].
### Recessed infill panels shall have the infill pan depth coordinated with the thickness of the finish material to be received, so that the finished door is flush with the surrounding surface.
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## A fire-rated access door is insulated, self-closing, and self-latching, and is tested under UL 10B (or NFPA 252) and labeled by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory for the assemblies and rating periods in which it is listed. {note}
−## A fire-rated access door is NOT the access door used to reach a fire damper inside a duct; duct-mounted access doors that serve dampers are part of the duct system under [[syncs/hvac-ductwork]] and are tested and listed differently. A wall or ceiling access panel that happens to be near a fire damper does not serve that damper's access. {note}
+## A fire-rated access door is NOT the access door used to reach a fire damper inside a duct; duct-mounted access doors that serve dampers are part of the duct system under [[sync/hvac-ductwork]] and are tested and listed differently. A wall or ceiling access panel that happens to be near a fire damper does not serve that damper's access. {note}
## When a Fire Rating Applies {toc}
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### The rough opening shall be framed to the panel manufacturer's required dimension for the panel type and size, with framing to carry the panel and resist racking.
−### At gypsum board walls and ceilings, the opening shall be framed and the panel installed and finished in coordination with [[syncs/gypsum-board-assemblies]].
+### At gypsum board walls and ceilings, the opening shall be framed and the panel installed and finished in coordination with [[sync/gypsum-board-assemblies]].
### Drywall-bead taping-flange panels shall be set and the flange finished into the gypsum board joint compound so the frame line is concealed.
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### Fire-rated access doors shall be installed in accordance with the listing and NFPA 80, in the assemblies for which they are listed, without field modification.
−### The annular space and any firestopping at a fire-rated panel installed in a rated assembly shall be coordinated with [[syncs/firestopping]] so that the rating of the assembly is maintained around the panel.
+### The annular space and any firestopping at a fire-rated panel installed in a rated assembly shall be coordinated with [[sync/firestopping]] so that the rating of the assembly is maintained around the panel.
### The self-closing and self-latching function of each installed fire-rated access door shall be verified to operate from the full-open position before turnover.
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## The Contractor shall warrant the installation, including plumb and square setting, anchorage, finished flush condition of recessed and taping-flange panels, and self-closing and self-latching operation of fire-rated panels, for the specified period.