Doing a retrofit where we are removing the old access control panels and the power supply panel in a good-sized LAN/Electrical room. The old power supply has a primary 115VAC feed and two transformers for supplying power to mag locks at 4 doors. Re-using 115VAC power feed and verifying existing fire alarm interlock, etc, etc.
We are replacing the old power supply with a new Altronix AL600ULM; the sub-contractor we are working with says that the old power supply as well as the old Brivo panels should never have been mounted directly onto the drywall, but should have been mounted onto a piece of fire-rated plywood which was first attached to the drywall surface.
While I didn't disagree, especially once I saw the big holes left by the large toggle bolts used to hold the old power supply to the wall .. much bigger footprint than the AL600ULM. However, I looked around and saw primary power breaker/distribution panels mounted directly to the drywall walls. So was the fire suppression control panel and power supply on another side of the room.
So, the questions are: 1. How does everyone mount power supply and control enclosures in LAN/electrical rooms? Do you attach directly to the walls, or do you first install piece of plywood?
2. Is the drywall painted with a fire-retardant paint, or is the plywood or panel board already treated to be fire-retardant?
I am thinking back to some of the retrofits I have seen recently, and unless there was an existing demarc wall that had some spare real estate on it to mount an access control enclosure or power supply, most have been mounted directly to the drywall with heavy duty toggle bolts.
Thanks for your input and opinions.