MF Ceiling on concrete ceiling advice please:)

[tobycharlie]

Hi everyone,
Planning to do a suspended ceiling in a ex-council block estate flat and would like some advice please.

1. When fixing the hangers, can i use a nail gun? I figured the loud but instant short noise might be better than SDS drilling for neighbours & me?

2. Planning to route radiator pipes in some rooms(currently goes along the skirting board in some places), assuming the pipes are 22mm? (am i right?). What is the minimum void I should have in the ceiling? -> this is without the MF materials, just the height I need for the pipes.

Would very much apprieciate your help,
Thank you!

 

[bobski]

1
Yes
But some concrete ceilings can have voids, like clinker blocks on some old council concrete structure ceilings. Sometimes fire into a blank void.


2
I'd allow 50mm clear

 

[Steve Brown]

As Bobski says, but what I would also caution is there could be some electric cable etc just below surface in trunking! If you nail into that it'll be a ballache.

 

[tobycharlie]

1
Yes
But some concrete ceilings can have voids, like clinker blocks on some old council concrete structure ceilings. Sometimes fire into a blank void.


2
I'd allow 50mm clear

Thank you for your comment.

How would I know it's hollow? Should I give it a go and try pulling?&see if it pulls out?
It's a 7 storey Flat estate in London if that helps..?

 

[tobycharlie]

As Bobski says, but what I would also caution is there could be some electric cable etc just below surface in trunking! If you nail into that it'll be a ballache.

Thank you for the comment.

I was slightly worried about this too. We are planning a full rewire - with all new lightings and stuff and so will not be using cables in the ceiling. Would it be fine to disconnect all electric, do the ceiling and wire again?

 

[tobycharlie]

Also, the ceiling looks like this, I've come to think it might be skimmed with plaster? if it is, will that affect the way I shoot the nail into ceiling?

 

[Steve Brown]

Thank you for the comment.

I was slightly worried about this too. We are planning a full rewire - with all new lightings and stuff and so will not be using cables in the ceiling. Would it be fine to disconnect all electric, do the ceiling and wire again?

I'd consult your electrician first as sometimes it's not just lighting cables in the trunking!
You could always mark out where the cables are by using a detector, sometimes they can be hit or miss so confirm by knocking a bit out as your going to cover it anyway.

 

[bobski]

Thank you for your comment.

How would I know it's hollow? Should I give it a go and try pulling?&see if it pulls out?
It's a 7 storey Flat estate in London if that helps..?

Yes

Test runs.
If you're not sure use metal hammer fixings (all metal with no nylon), helps in case of fire.

Don't want the f**k*r coming down .

 

[Steve Brown]

Also, the ceiling looks like this, I've come to think it might be skimmed with plaster? if it is, will that affect the way I shoot the nail into ceiling?
View attachment 82740View attachment 82741

Yes it will have a plaster finish over a basecoat, that won't affect nailing into ceiling but like bobski's says there will be void areas that won't get a good hold.

 

[spunky]

Needs to be a concrete fixing screw, nailings or spits can fail