In the Gypsum Wallboard Ceilings construction sequence, which step comes second?

• A. One quarter inch pencil rods attached to decking grid with 4 ft clip angle
• B. Attach carrying channel angles to pencil rods
• C. Attach 1.5 inch U-channel
• D. Attach furring channel (aka hat channel)

Answer: (B)

The step being tested is about building the suspended ceiling grid in the correct order. After you establish the vertical support by attaching pencil rods to the deck (the redirection point that holds everything up), the next move is to create the horizontal frame that defines the ceiling plane. Attaching carrying channel angles to those pencil rods does exactly that: it turns vertical hangers into a workable grid. Once this horizontal frame is in place, you can install the 1.5 inch U-channel to form the main runners, and then the furring (hat) channels to complete the support for the gypsum board. Starting with the vertical rods ensures the grid has a stable, level reference before the horizontal members are added.