How to reserve access panels for commercial ceiling renovations to avoid rework at inspection

In commercial renovations, ceiling access panels are often overlooked until the ceiling is closed, only to find that VAV boxes, valves, cleanouts, and fire dampers are inaccessible. Cutting holes at that point isn't just about patching the board; light fixtures, furring channels, sprinklers, and air vent locations might all need to be changed. When I review the reflected ceiling plan now, I mark…