Access panels eliminate the need to cut through walls, ceilings, and floors when interacting with concealed objects

Access panels don’t seem very complicated but like many topics in construction and fire code, there’s more to these simple devices than meets the eye.

Among the most common types of access panels are those designed for installation in ordinary drywall. Made from steel, durable plastic, or other materials, these panels allow installers to conceal unsightly but important spaces. They come in a wide variety of sizes, with some just large enough for an arm and others big enough to permit human entry.

Access panels make it easier to inspect, maintain, and repair critical parts of a building. Instead of slicing through drywall or tile, they facilitate access to plumbing, fire protection piping, electrical components, or other objects in concealed spaces. While most such panels hide openings in interior walls, panels may serve indoor and outdoor walls or ceilings. And many of them arrive ready for paint, allowing installers to minimize any unsightly mismatches between the new assembly and the surrounding structure.