Term:Access Panel [AP]

An access panel is a door or opening that is provided in order to provide access on the other side. As an example, a drywall ceiling may conceal a piece of mechanical equipment. An access panel would be installed in order to allow workers to reach the piece of equipment for maintenance.

Access panels come in many different shapes and sizes. The smallest access panels can be 2-4″ square, however, they can grow as large as 3-4′ and in many cases small doors might be used.

Access panels come with different features, some of those include different finishes including tapable, paintable, provisions for additional finishes ie tile, they also come with different locking mechanisms, and ways in which the open and stay in place including hinges, magnets and catches.