So, following on from my thrilling thread on what sort of tumble dryer for the garage, I need some advice on boarding a ceiling.

Specifically, the ceiling will be in an integral garage, so will need meet building regs for fire safety.

The theory is great, but I need to know the reality. I can’t believe boarding a ceiling (even with heavy fire-proof boards) is that hard. But that’s where my DIY knowledge finishes.

What else do I need to know/do to make sure I create a (30 minutes) fire-proof compartment of the garage? How do I successfully board a ceiling to make this work?

I spoke to building control earlier today – the chap’s answer was to seal around the edge of the boards where they join the wall with intumescent mastic. And the same for where any pipes or wires penetrate the boards.

The he also said I should tape and scrim – what’s the best way to do this for this purpose? Also, he didn’t really give a clear answer on whether the ceiling should then be plastered (I’d need a plasterer to do that – haven’t the time to learn!).

Cheers!

This should help: http://www.british-gypsum.com/~/media/Files/British-Gypsum/WHITE-BOOK-Sector-Guides/RMI/White-Book-Refurbishment-Guide.pdf

Thanks. I’ll take a look.

OMG spoiler alert ! Some of us havent read the tumble-drier thread yet ! 😉

You can double board with normal plaster board (12.5mm) or use specific fire boards but they’re bloody heavy. (37kg) I’ve just done my garage on a self build. I bought a board lifter as I had the whole house to do.
I ply lined mine to make fixing things to the ceiling easier. Fill with insulation if there is a room above.
Scrim the joints and plaster or tape and fill. Seal the edges etc.

Sorry orangeorange – I’ll make sure I give a warning next time.

@ russ295 – bloody hell..! I’d heard there was a weight penalty but that’s heavy..! You’re not bear the north west and fancy selling me your board lifter, do you (assuming you’ve finished your house)..?

The ceiling will remain uninsulated as the “room” above doesn’t have a properly reinforced floor (it’s a bungalow) and will be sorted as part of the loft conversion starting early next year. Removing the asbestos ceiling is a pre-step (and an opportunity to avoid a builder putting their foot through it).

But once the asbestos ceiling is removed, I’m going to sort the garage so that everything has a place to be stored and that I can get a car* in there as well.

*money is aside for an S1 Elise for a weekend car….

Newcastle upon Tyne.

Board lifter, and a mate to help, will make a huge difference. Having neither and being pestered by MrsB to get it finished, we are getting a builder in to board and plaster, single garage, £500 ish iirc. Asbestos was removed by a specialist, don’t mess with that stuff! You can do it yourself but discretion better part of valour, I’d rather do 2 extra shifts at work than get asbestosis.

Ah, no imminent plans to visit the North East. Lovely part of the world! Hope the house is good.

@ TomB – men in space suits are coming in 10 days (after notifying HSE). You’re right – AIB one of the worst kinds, so I’m not going near it!

This is a double garage, so am currently debating DIY or GSI. Also need to line up a spark to sort the electrics (def GSI). TBH I’m looking forward to it as a project to get stuck into that isn’t work..!

It will be when it’s finished! There’s light at the end of the tunnel tho.
As mentioned I ply lined the ceiling (shuttering ply) so I can fix hooks etc wherever I need. Also makes the boarding a bit easier as your not looking for joists to hit.
It do-able by hand. 2 men and some T bars made of 3×2 cut to the right height to wedge in.
I’ve gone through about 250 8×4 boards so I’m getting pretty handy at it.

Hmm. Not sure I’ll ply line. Am going to build a garage full of ply cabinets.

If I do it, I’ll get a lift. Can always sell on eBay afterwards.

Photos of your house build please!

No need to plaster. Buy tapered edge boards put a scrim-tape in and fill with joint filler..( easifill ).
Stagger the boards ie no cross-joints.

Thanks tymbian.

2x 12.5mm normal boards will have better noise insulation, especially if you use some acoustic sealant between the 1st and 2nd layer, if that is of any use to you.

Are you off of mumsnet?

ourmaninthenorth – Member
Ah, no imminent plans to visit the North East. Lovely part of the world! Hope the house is good.
@ TomB – men in space suits are coming in 10 days (after notifying HSE). You’re right – AIB one of the worst kinds, so I’m not going near it!
This is a double garage, so am currently debating DIY or GSI. Also need to line up a spark to sort the electrics (def GSI). TBH I’m looking forward to it as a project to get stuck into that isn’t work..!

Cheers twisty. Aby tips on how to make that successful?

@ glasgowdan – I believe the standard response is to ask you to FOTTFSOF…! 😉

The first layer of boards is the hard one to put up, not easy without a 2nd pair of hands. For the 2nd layer put the acoustic sealant on the top side of the board you are putting up which then sticks to the ceiling so it is possible to hold it up with one hand while screwing it into the joists with the other hand. Use big 1L tubes of sealant.

[Hmm. Not sure I’ll ply line. Am going to build a garage full of ply cabinets.

If I do it, I’ll get a lift. Can always sell on eBay afterwards.

Photos of your house build please!]

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/self-build-part-2