Service Access

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Having made way too many repairs where service access wasn't even though of, I always try to be considerate with such. Granted I might not always be able to design for wonderfully convenient access, but access is there...

Photo below in rather large storage/mechanical closet in my master bath. It's above a staircase so its "floor" is about 3½' above the actual 2nd floor level.

Loose-looking pipes you see at low-left are for the steam generator (removed). Valves and bleeders across bottom are for hydronic floor. There is a drain trough built-in (shows better in 2nd photo) for the steam generator T&P, steam generator "leak pan", bleeding the floor, and for condensate from a dehumidifier.

Little other storage in bath (pedestal sink, no medicine cabinet)--just a small vanity that doubles as an access cover for whirlpool guts. Closet 3½' deep so have built a sliding unit 4" deep that will go directly behind the door to the closet. About ½ the width of the closet and will slide side-to-side.

Am trying to build all of the shelving, etc. to appear/feel solid and attached, but essentially come apart like a puzzle without tools. An awful lot of work. Have a few thousand feet of Formica from an old auction so everything will be nicely finished--if not all the same color.

Convenient and easy access to the steam generator and the hydronic floor drains & valves is a must but I'm REALLY starting to wonder about those shower guts. When something goes bad it's going to be a complete pain regardless of how easy it is to get in through the back.

So... Would you spend a lot of time making a nice hinged door for access to the guts or just use a panel retained by accessible screws?

Andy Morgan_2

Panel

Why could'nt you build the who side into a panel? Maybe make a 1x3 frame around the walls floor and ceiling, and use a piece of finished Plywood (birch, pine) as a panel to fit inside of the frame. Then, attach your shelf supports to the panel. With the the shelves in place, the panel would be wedged in the opening. To gain access, remove the shelves and the panel falls out. All the room to do whatever you need to do on the valves. If you really want to get fancy, put a rabit (sp?) on the panel and an opposing one on the frame so that there is a nice overlap, but still remaining flush on the outside.

Andy Morgan

R. Morgan Mechanical, LLC

Mike T., Swampeast MO

That's probably what it will be--a flush panel into a rabbet (WEIRD spelling I know).

It may sound crazy but this stupid little "closet" is the most difficult thing I've ever designed. It's almost like a tiny house unto itself.

Ventilation/dehumidification, electric sub-panel, immediate access as well as "long reach" storage and long-term storage. Plumbing concerns for constant (dehumidifier condensate), intermediate (hydronic bleeding) and emergency (steam generator failure) concerns. Service access to extensive plumbing and electric.

So many different concerns that I couldn't make a plan or even a mockup.

Two REALLY wild things will be cantilevered break-down witout tool shelves (due to the sliding "medicine chest" behind the door) and a "door" that is really a casement window that will, I hope, appear to be installed on an outside wall.

Andy Morgan_2

Sounds

like you got quite a project on your hands! Good luck with it!

Andy Morgan

Andy Morgan_2

sounds

like you got a nice little project on your hands! Good luck!


Andy Morgan