Any Framers? I have q????

[SEmerson]

I have a 2 story commercail building that has a large open room. I need to frame in many office rooms inside. The room is concrete with metal studs on 2 walls that are drywalled. So my question is how do I tie the wood walls into the concrete wall and also the metal studs with dry wall on them? 2 walls I need to tie to the metal studs and drywall. One other I need to tie to concrete.



Thanks for any info

Steve

 

[fkovalski]

It sounds as if you are doing a typical commercial tenant finish.

Assumptions: concrete floor with 2 dry walled demising walls. Are there any windows in any existing walls?



Are there any plumbing routes in the concrete floor? If you are using new steel stud construction and shoot floor plates it might be risky hitting something in the concrete- i. e. in floor heting? Are any "as- built" drawing avalable? If using wood studs, I would PL glue a floor plate per design. Steel vs. wood depends on what building type that code dictate (as does cost. ). Do you need any fire separations for your spaces? Will you be installing any plumbing fixtures?



Are the existing demising walls fire rated and do you have to keep that rating intact? If no and you have enough area it might be easier to fur out that wall for new stud packs of new wall you may have fame to.

What is the ceiling condition? Is it exposed to structure or is there a drop ceiling. And, do any separations need to be kept at the ceiling.



Is noise transmission (privacy) a concern between walls such as one might want in doctor’s examination rooms or at conference rooms? There are many ways to mitigate sound transmission by different framing. What type of office tasks will the employees be doing?



Sorry for the questions back at you, but more information about the use of the offices would be helpful. You mention “concrete wall” in your post. Is this in a basement or at a retaining wall of sorts?



edit:

You mentioned "2 Story. " Are you going to frame a second floor into the space?

 

[SEmerson]

The concrete walls divides the units. They are covered with metal studs and drywall. So no windows. The secound floor will be dead space. All work has to pass inspection. There are pipes in the floor but I know where so hitting them isnt a problem. However I do need to open up the floor and add some drains. It will have drop ceiling. currently it has open rafters. It is a reality office so sound is a concern. I have aproved blue prints.



Thanks

 

[TPCDrafting]

I think i'd cut out the dry wall (narrow strip) vertically so you could attach directly to the conc. wall. Fur out the metal stud depth (likely 3 1/2"), then attach new stud wall to furring. You can use a powder actuated fastener (ramset to most) to attach the first fur stud to the concrete, then nail the next members to that. You can also ramset (and glue) the bottom plate to the concrete if you know where all plumbing is. Double top plate the stud wall with the cap plate attaching to that first furring stud to give it some rigidity. Or build the stud wall tall enough to attach to the framing above. If it is to be just a partition wall, you might get by just using a stud finder and attaching to that through the drywall. This is how it can be done here and in many juristictions, but you should check with your local building dept.

 

[loncray]

I am in no way a professional at this, but I'm framing my basement now and my powder nailer is my favorite tool! I build a wall, put it where I want it, level it and BAM it's there 'till the rest of the house comes down.

 

[TPCDrafting]

They are fun . I was sifting through old tools in the wifes gramma's garage. Grandpa had a powder nailer that used . 38 cal blanks. He had a box of 1/4" dia. powder driven anchor bolts. I'm too skeered to try it. :-laf

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

The metal stud wall would not have the proper triple stud partition framing member but you could use long grabber screws to tie into an existing stud. This is the cheap and easy method that I would not recommend. Recommendation is to remove some drywall and put the correct triple stud partition member in. You are going to have to rock and tape the new walls anyway.



For the concrete wall, if you are just tying into the wall you can use a Hilti powder actuated gun to shoot the end stud into the concrete. However, if you are going to finish the concrete wall you should fur out the concrete wall, fasten to the furring, rock, tape, and finish. Going to the library for a book on framing may be useful too.



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