ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Dry wall installers

Your GC does not sound like a guy I would like to work for.

Nick, what are these metal plates you speak of? Are they "home-made" or an available product from a distributor? Also, I assume the ears must be cut off the devices to avoid interference with the sheetrock. So if the edge of the sheetrock does not line up exactly flush with the box, won't you have a "fit and finish" problem come trim-out?

There is another product available for this situation. I can't remember the name but I have some in the truck. "Device leveler" or something like that. I'll check into it and see what I find.

On one building I had a lot of trouble on the first floor with cut wires so I installed utility box blank covers on all of the plaster rings. I tried the three different brands available and found one that fit really well. When I had complained about the damaged conductors on the first floor the GC had pointed out some boiler plate language in the specs that required all crafts to protect work in place. I showed the GC the new technique and assured him that I had photographs of the covers in place. I told him that the dry wall guys could not remove my covers without his accepting responsibility for the work. When he told the dry wall guys that they could not remove the covers they tried to jack him up for more money and he threw them off the job. When the new dry wall crew arrived they were greeted by signs that said "Danger All wiring under stress test. 277 VOLTS. Do not tamper. I had no problem with the new crew.
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Tom

Every day is a stress test. Good idea with the covers.

The covers are made by our prefab department. Yes, the ears have to be cut off so the box has to be mounted very secure. Kick plates with the brackets that push against the other side of the wall work best.