Al’s Plumbing, Heating & A/C in Plano, Texas provides full-service plumbing; maintenance, repairs, & replacements for every plumbing component in your home. Al’s sells and installs gas & electric water heaters.
Al’s also provides maintenance & repairs for all brands of; Central A/C, Gas & Electric Furnace, and Heat Pumps. Additionally, we sell and install new HVAC Systems from American Standard (same company as Trane), Ameristar, and Coleman HVAC (same company as York HVAC).
Al’s is near your home in Plano, TX; Allen, TX; and Frisco, Texas.
We service homes in southern Colling County and northeastern Dallas County with no additional travel charges.
Call Al’s today to discuss any concerns or problems you have with your HVAC System or Plumbing.
We will arrange an appointment at your convenience.
What Are Nail Plates (guards) & Where Are They Required?
NOTE: This Article Is Written For Building Codes’ Compliance For TEXAS.
Sources & Dates Of Publications Are Shown. Over Time, Updates To Publications Occur.
It’s Unlikely That Future Updates Would Eliminate Requirements For Nail Plates/Guards.
Image Source: YouTube embedded video
The 2021 International Residential Code (IRC)
Section 312.9 Requires Nail Plates (nail guards)
When Building Or Renovating — Nail Plates/Guards Must Be Installed Inside Concealed Locations
Source: https://up.codes/s/protection-of-piping-materials-and-structures
Nail Plates/guards Are Metal Plates That Are Nailed Into Place Inside The Walls Or Attic.
They Protect Mechanical Components* From Becoming Pierced
* (All Types Of; Wiring, Water pipe, Sewer pipe, & HVAC Ductwork.)
Once covered with drywall, it’s difficult to locate mechanical components — and most homeowners wouldn’t think they need to.
Without Nail-Plates/Guards — something so common as; hanging a picture on the wall, or screwing a plant-hanging hook into a ceiling — could pierce hidden mechanical components behind the drywall.
Common (walls) Drywall Is 3/8″ OR 1/2″ Thick
- 3/8″ drywall was often used on walls in older homes.
- The nails length for a 100-Pound (weight capacity) wall hanger = 1-3/8″.
Note: Newer homes often have 1/2″ thick drywall on walls.
Common (ceiling) Drywall Is 1/2″ Thick
- 1/2″ drywall is typically used on ceilings in both older and newer homes.
- A plant-hanger screw = 1-1/4″.
These Measurements Demonstrate How Easily Mechanical Components (hidden behind drywall) Could Become Pierced.
Click On Image To; View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com
Shown: Screw-in Plant Hanging Hook — 1-1/4″ threaded screw end.
Image Source: Amazon.com Embedded Link
Shown: 100-Pound Capacity Wall-Hanging Hook — 1-3/8″ Nails
Nail Plates/guards Are Required At Water & Sewer Pipes (as described below)
Image Source: Shutterstock
Shown: PEX Flexible Water Tubing — Used In Newer Homes
Image Source: YouTube Embedded Video Link
Shown: White PVC Sewer Pipe (used in homes since around 1975) Protected By A Nail Plate
International Plumbing Code (IPC) Section: 305.6 – Protection Against Physical Damage
When Building Or Renovating — Nail Plates/Guards Must Be Installed Inside Concealed Locations
- Anywhere Plastic, Copper (or Copper Alloy) Piping penetrates a framing member (wood stud).
- When pipe is less than 1-1/2″ from any edge (of the lumber).
- A Steel Nail Plate/guard Shall Be Installed.
- Nail Plate may not be less than 0.0575″ in thickness.
- Nail plate shall extend along the framing member — not less than 1-1/2 inches beyond the outside diameter of the pipe/tubing.
Note: 1-1/2″ Is The Distance To The Edge Of The Mechanical Component — Not To The Edge Of The Hole It Passes Through.
Source: https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IPC2018P3/chapter-3-general-regulations#IPC2018P3_Ch03_Sec305
Nail Plates/guards Are Required At Any Type Of Wiring (as described below)
Image Source: Shutterstock
Shown: Electrical Wiring
In June, 2020 Texas adopted the 2020 National Electric Code (NEC) as Texas’ Electrical Code.
NEC – 300.4(A) Cables and Raceways Through Wood Members.
Bored Holes in wood frame, where any cable, or enclosed conduit, is installed — holes shall be bored so the outside edge of the hole is not less than 1-1/4″ from any nearest edge of the wood.
Where this distance cannot be maintained, the cable or conduit shall be protected from penetration by a steel plate(s) or at least 1/16th inch thick — and of appropriate length & needed to cover the area of the wiring.
Source: https://forums.mikeholt.com/threads/nail-protection-plates.2557649/
Nail Plates/guards Are Required At HVAC Ductwork (as described below)
Texas’ Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) — Covers HVAC Ductwork
Building codes in Texas follow the 2018 Uniform Mechanical Code. The Uniform Mechanical Code details requirements for HVAC Systems’ mechanical equipment for (new & existing) construction.
Source: https://airfixture.com/texas-building-code/
2018 Uniform Mechanical Code — 316.6 Steel Nail Plates
HVAC ducts penetrating framing members (lumber) — to within 1″ of the exposed framing (the lumber’s edge) — shall be protected by Steel Nail Plates not less than No. 18 gauge (0.0478 inches) in thickness.
The steel nail plate shall extend along the framing member not less than 1-1/2 inches beyond the outside edge of the duct.
Source: https://up.codes/s/steel-nail-plates
Copy The Link Below Into Your Browser To See Diagrams Of:
Various Nail Shield Styles
Locations Where They Must Be Installed:
- Click Here To See Nail Plates Protecting Electrical Wiring: Nail Plates Protecting Wiring
- Click Here To See Nail Plates Protecting Water & Sewer Lines: Nail Plates Protecting Water & Sewer Lines
Source: https://s3.amazonaws.com/uploads-east-1.nachi.org/forum-archives/usrfiles/w/wall_protection.pdf
Does My Older DFW Home Have Nail Guards?
For your protection, assume an older DFW home does not have nail plates/guards. Piercing a water pipe can create tremendous water damage. Guessing about the location of electrical wires could become deadly.
No Need To Guess
Click On Photo To: View Product, Read Details, or Order directly from Amazon.
SHOWN: Bosch GMS120 Digital Wall Scanner
This Verbiage Is Displayed In The Amazon. com Listing: “The Bosch GMS120 Digital Wall Scanner features multi-mode laser detection for; wood studs, metal objects (studs and steel/copper pipes) and live wiring.”
Most older DFW homes have copper water pipes. This device can help determine the locations of pipes and live electrical wires.
If you are unsure if your home has copper water pipes — you may be able to see the water pipe material where it comes through the wall. You may need to pull the trim ring (sits against the wall) outward to see the water pipe material as it comes through the wall.
Image Source: Shutterstock
Shown: Water & Sewer Pipes Coming Through The Wall.
Note: There’s typically a trim-ring against the wall.
Al’s Plumbing, Heating & A/C in Plano, Texas provides full-service plumbing; maintenance, repairs, & replacements for every plumbing component in your home. Al’s sells and installs gas & electric water heaters.
Al’s also provides maintenance & repairs for all brands of; Central A/C, Gas & Electric Furnace, and Heat Pumps. Additionally, we sell and install new HVAC Systems from American Standard (same company as Trane), Ameristar, and Coleman HVAC (same company as York HVAC).
Al’s is near your home in; Murphy, TX; Wylie, TX, and Rowlette, Texas.
We service homes in southern Colling County and northeastern Dallas County with no additional travel charges.
Call Al’s today to discuss any concerns or problems you have with your HVAC System or Plumbing.
We will arrange an appointment at your convenience.