I'm refinishing my basement. It's basically suited although I don't rent it out or plan to I would like to finish it up to fire code between units. In the main room the prev owner ran 2x4 across the ceiling cross ways to the floor joists to run wire pipes etc. I'd like to be able to access it later if required without ripping down 5/8 drywall. Could anyone recommend a material I could finish with that could be accessed later without destruction but meet fire code?

Thanks!

 

I can't comment on Canada but where I live, fire code ceiling material only has to be over the boiler. I've dealt with that before. It doesn't have to cover the entire ceiling. You should be able to use whatever you want & add access doors, for future use.

 

Thread moved to walls and ceilings from the tile forum for better exposure.

 

Yes that's correct I need to cover the ceiling. The catch here is that its a basement suite ceiling so there needs to be fire rated material between upstairs and downstairs units. In Canada that's usually 5/8 drywall instead of 1/2 inch. Obviously if dry walled and I need in there again I'd have to rip it all down and redo. Currently there is a Gas line, hot/cold water, Main water feed, and 3 wired circuits in there with space to add more stuff.

I'm not actually renting it our or have plans to in the near future anyways but if I'm redoing it I would like everything to be up to code.

 

This doesn't answer your question of access, but...
Generally there is no access. None of these lines require access for maintenance, or shouldn't. There should be no hidden electrical boxes up there.
If the pipes do require work, you would have to open up the ceiling, but those cases should be very rare.

 

Once again, I don't know Canadian code but basement apartments are illegal here no matter if everything else complies. Some places may allow them if there is an egress window installed.

 

Don't know anything about Canadian fire codes but this might point you in one direction...

http://www.armstrong.com/commclgpac/...iles/17280.pdf

 

Renting out basement space in a home is not for the faint of heart!
Because money changes hands you need to build to commercial standards.
Fire separation for the ceiling, the furnace room and fire dampers if duct work penetrates floors.
You also can't hide electrical junction boxes behind a fireguard separation.
That fireguard suspended ceiling system in XSleeper's link looks interesting

A contractor friend did it and had to install a walk-out door in a house that wasn't practical to enlarge bsmt windows.

 

I have installed similar grid ceilings in restaurant situations where it extends over to a "buffet" area or other cook surfaces. The panels are quite heavy, will wipe clean since their surface is hard, and meet fire code.

 

Actually, 2 exits are needed to be safe.

 

There must be two means of egress from a basement apartment