[Bullfrog44]

Fire Rated Ply Wood
Get some people. Little more expensive but if you install behind ballast and plug strips (plug stips not reccomended for use period) you can prevent a good portion of grow room fires.

In case some people are having a hard time picturing this, I will try to explain.

First explaination is install - Home Depot, Lowes, most lumber yards will carry 4x8 sheets of fire rated plywood with various thicknesses. Depending on what you will hang off this I suggest 1/2 inch thickness. Depending on how big of a piece you use, this will hold hundreds of pounds. For example, if you use the entire sheet and screw it off into studs then this will hold just about anything needed. If you decide to take a piece that is 24inch by 16inch and screw into a set of studs, this will hold several ballast no problem.

Second explanation, why? - Most fires start from a surge in electrical current caused by flaws in connections, sheathing, or overloads. These type of fires are minimized by making all electrical connections in junction boxes ext ext..... In the event this does happen, it is likely to happen in your plug strips and ballasts. When this electrical surge happens it can draw power at large amounts before tripping a breaker. During this time temperatures can reach extreme levels, hence fires. This recommended fire rated plywood will prevent these types of fires because of high temperature ratings,

The reason I have come across this is because I am in the trades and in commercial buildings in California any networking devices mounted to a wall now has to have fire rated ply wood. That is just LOW VOLTAGE. All electrical 120v is already in boxes and subject to higher standards. This seems like it should be a minimum for grow rooms.

Hope this gives some people something to think about. I know most wont bother, and i don't blame you guys. I sleep better at night knowing my house is as safe as I could make it and same with any builds I do. This is just another step towards this goal.

[Bullfrog44]

Not sure this applies to many people, but if you are getting things inspected you have to put the spray painted label facing up and unpainted for the inspector to see. After being inspected you can paint over label. Label insures you are using a fire rated product.

[Tilt]

3/4" ply is the usual standard. The ply has fire retardant. I would recomend it too. We used to use the stuff in 12x12 cans for vibration isolation for contactors. It also has a smooth side and a rough side. mount your devices on the smooth side.

[Bullfrog44]

3/4 is the standard. The ply I have used is sanded on the side that the stamp isn't. Why i don't know, but if you are getting inspected you have to show that label. Otherwise, mount sanded side up, good call.

Double layers of sheetrock is firecode around here.

[Bullfrog44]

For what? Can you read the exact code? Is that for a common wall in a commercial building or residential? Please explain. Sheet rock can only give a rating of 1 hour. This ply has a higher rating.

Edit: it is also hard to hang ballast off sheetrock. Pig dicks (WDK-8's) I wouldn't trust, maybe molly anchors.

[Tilt]

bull is right ply for surface mounted equipment. We have to run a #6 awg wire to building steel or cold water for grounding for the phone guys.

[Bullfrog44]

Grounding is always very important. It is a standard now for all voltage, low and high. Technically anything under 600v is considered low voltage, however most people consider low voltage anything under 120v.

[Mizzafishkilla]

Does anyone use cement backer board to affix plug receptacles or ballasts to? Good idea or bad?

[Bullfrog44]

Cement board would work for sure. I don't think you would have the sheer value that ply wood carries, but it would for sure block out any electrical fires with ease. Sheer value = weight that can be hung from it.