Access panels are the product you need for access, protection, and storage for these three. These excellent products provide your needs for these three aspects with innovative design and engineering. Access panels are installable on multiple surfaces on the wall, floors, and ceiling, with each place having its own set of benefits for the owner of the establishment and its occupants to enjoy.
These products also possess exquisite aesthetic qualities that blend with your interior design, and an excellent example of such an access panel is the Windlock AP-HRK Ceiling and Wall-Hinged Gypsum Access Panel that combines aesthetics and functionality.
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Access panel for ceilings
The ceiling’s purpose is not limited to shielding you from sunlight or rain. It also provides storage for the commercial building or residential house’s essential components, such as electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, that keep these establishments functioning. Installing an access panel in the ceiling provides many benefits, and these are quick and easy access with a seamless installation finish.
The benefit of seamless access
Installing an access panel on your ceiling gives you seamless access, which means an installed access panel gives a sleek and clean seamless finish while providing quick and clean access to the space above the ceiling. This benefit of the access panel checks two aspects, namely, protection and aesthetics.
The seamless finish protects your commercial building’s essential parts by hiding them in plain sight. The access panel’s aesthetical seamless finish blends it with the installed surface, making it seem that there is no existing panel. This kind of protection means the same essential parts are safe from unwanted access from unauthorized persons that might meddle with these building elements affecting the same building’s daily operations.
The main benefits of installing access panels in ceilings
Access panels, whatever the model, type, or material it possesses, give you benefits that are perfect for any commercial or residential setting. Here’s a list of the benefits of installing an access panel in your ceiling:
Benefit #1: Quick and easy access
The main benefit an access panel provides is the benefit of access or accessibility no matter if you have installed drop ceiling or any other ceiling type. The building is full of components that make it tick, and you must maintain these components to keep the business going.
Installing access panels can provide quick and easy access to the space above your ceiling where the components of electrical and HVAC, such as cables and wires, are found. With an access panel installed, the maintenance or repair personnel will be okay with doing their task.
Benefit #2: The perfect storage for the essential components
Another benefit of installing an access panel is that you use it as storage. The ceiling is the perfect place for storing electrical components such as wires and cables and plumbing fixtures such as pipes and valves, especially when your commercial building possesses fire sprinklers.
Concealing these components, especially the electrical cords and wires, is a must as the exposure of these can create two scenarios; ruining the interior design of your commercial building and risking the entire building from electrical fires made by these sensitive electrical components.
Benefit #3: Give advanced protection and security
As these access panels provide the storage for the critical components of your commercial building, it also possesses the capability of protecting the same features from tampering and malfunction due to natural elements. As mentioned above, the seamless finish can save these vital building parts from unwanted persons, and along with this feature comes the access panel’s durability depending on the material, which can even withstand physical blows from forceful entries.
The protection from natural elements mentioned above means protection from the harmful effects of water, fire, and debris, such as corrosion, mold, burned components, and tiny rocks that can malfunction building parts or make them unusable. You won’t experience these problems anymore when you install the access panels, as variations are specially for protecting your commercial building from this set of problems.
The many variations of access panels
Throughout the years, access panel engineers have modified these products into new ones that cater to a specific function with other options to the user’s preferences on locking mechanisms, material, or aesthetic finishes. Here’s a list of some variations of the access panel:
Variation #1: Fire-rated access panels
Suppose your commercial building is prone to an office or electrical fire for reasons such as being involved in flammable materials or a restaurant business. In that case, the fire-rated access panel is what you need to install for fire protection. This type of access panel possesses “fire-rating,” which you must not confuse with fire prevention.
Fire-rating means that this product can hold only compartmentalized fire and smoke produced by the office fire during a specific period. The product won’t eliminate the smoke and fire but rather keep it in place for minutes to hours, depending on its fire rating, which ranges from 30 minutes to 3 hours. This innovative feature allows the access panel to prevent the spread of fire for a specific time, giving time for the help of fire-fighters to come and handle the office fire.
Variation #2: Security access panels
This variation of access panels focuses on its security features which are door and lock mechanisms. Security access panels have two variations you can choose from which are medium security and high security. Medium security is enough to protect your components, but if you want to beef up your security, increase safety. The factor that makes this access panel a “security access panel” is the locking system, which comprises high-grade components such as detention-grade materials, deadbolt locks, and a key-operated cam latch.
These access panels are perfect for banks, hospitals, mental institutions, prisons, and government offices.
Variation #3: General Purpose Access Panels
The General Purpose Access Panels are the products you need for immediate access, protection, and storage. These popular access panels are usually the “to go” access panel when you rush to get an access panel. But don’t get me wrong; this access panel does the job when discussing the need for accessibility, security, and storage.
Final Thoughts
Access panels are innovative products that shine with benefits wherever you install them. This product covers aspects of aesthetics and functionality with its seamless access. The ceiling, walls, or floor makes no difference as these products are perfect for accessibility, security, and storage.
