100 plus pound light

[mpd]

ramsey

the galvanized strut may be fine, but I would also require you to get an engineer to certify the structure and attachment method

 

[Smart $]

I like the galvanized strut idea, since any length can be laid across several joists to distribute the weight...

I believe this is NOT an option in the OP's case, as he stated somewhere in a later post there is a room above that is not a simple storage attic. If it were a simple storage attic, one could probably get away with just anchoring some strut or lumber across the floor.

 

[Physis 3]

I think 400 lb. lighting fixtures should be outlawed all together so we'd have to get them on the black market. :grin:

This whole debate sorta sounds to me like everything in the world should be impossible to install unsafely and that way we wont need qualified personel anymore. It kind of reminds me of the people I see working for EC's nowdays, maybe it would make sense.

 

[iwire]

iwire

I would find it hard to believe any inspection office, would allow a 400 pound fixture to be installed without an engineer to certify the existing structure and a mounting detail,

So I guess you don't want to provide me with a link to the administrative code you spoke of?

Or you do not want to let me know what the weight limit is before I need engineering?

I can't say I have hung any 400 lb lighting fixtures but as I said I have hung many larger transformers then that and no one has asked for engineering. FWIW Power strut has some nice engineering info available to determine strut capacities.

another example is solar panels installed on a roof, are building inspectors require an engineer certification for the new roof load & a mounting detail,

Now we get down to it, this is a building inspector issue, not an electrical inspector issue.

How about these fixtures?

We mounted them to the roof deck with Tek Screws.

 

[ramsy]

the galvanized strut may be fine, but I would also require you to get an engineer to certify the structure and attachment method

(strut) is NOT an option (when) there is a room above that is not a simple storage attic.

Roger that. If mpd was the site inspector, I would get plans approved by the building department. But without rare jewels like mpd, hole sawing some rigid 1/2" thru a few joints could be a proud day for king Mickey Mouse

 

[ramsy]

How about these fixtures?

We mounted them to the roof deck with Tek Screws.

From now on I will look up, and give everything on the ceiling a wide birth.

 

[mpd]

iwire

if it was an inspection that did not involve a building inspection I would be the only one who could request that info, or I guess as long as the contractor told me he thinks it should be ok I guess I would accept that(yeah right) how much damage to you think a 400 pound light fixture would do if it was attached to a structure that could not support it, do you know any electrical contractors that are quailified to certify a structure, if not they would just be guessing & hoping it works


ramsey

install it any way you want I could care less if your inspectors don't want that info for a 400 pound light,

 

[bkludecke]

To one degree or another, that's what we all do every day. We engineer stuff (based on our knowledge and experience) and hope that it works. I'd wager - right or wrong - that there is more engineering done on the tailgate by us uneducated ECs than is ever done in the offices of the educated PEs. I'm not condoning this but that's the way it is especially in residential work. I'd love to have a PE sign off on everything I do but it's not reasonable to expect that to happen.

 

[iwire]

I guess as long as the contractor told me he thinks it should be ok I guess I would accept that(yeah right)

It seems you have no faith in an electricians ability to do their job and want some one to give you some paper to take all decisions off your back.

I guess that is your prerogative, I am glad where I am inspectors have more faith in my abilities.

how much damage to you think a 400 pound light fixture would do if it was attached to a structure that could not support it, do you know any electrical contractors that are qualified to certify a structure, if not they would just be guessing & hoping it works

Here is one of my earlier posts

To each their own and there can always be odd conditions but I would not be calling an engineer for a directions on how to hang a 400 lb item unless the existing structure was weak.

I would not hang anything from something that I was not sure of.

Again I ask what is the weight limit before you require an engineer.

50 Lbs?

150 lbs?

250 lbs?

How do you know when it's necessary?

If I place a 1000 lb transformer on the floor do you require engineering to prove the floor can support it?


Just curious.

 

[mpd]

iwire

we are talking about a 400 pound light fixture, are you qualified to make a determination about an existing structure? if the answer is no then you would have no choice but to get an architect or engineer involved, it has nothing to do with not having faith in the electricain, a 400 pound light fixture would not be a common installation

there are many factors that may require an architect or engineer, not just the weight of the fixture

if a contractor pulls a permit to hang a light fixture it most likely would not involve a building inspector, when I got out there and saw this 400 pound light fixture I would have no choice but to question it, and I would hope any inspector would do the same

 

[stickboy1375]

I'm hanging a 300lb fixture tomorrow, i'll snap some pics... of my engineering ability...:smile:

 

[bikeindy]

iwire

we are talking about a 400 pound light fixture, are you qualified to make a determination about an existing structure? if the answer is no then you would have no choice but to get an architect or engineer involved, it has nothing to do with not having faith in the electricain, a 400 pound light fixture would not be a common installation

there are many factors that may require an architect or engineer, not just the weight of the fixture

if a contractor pulls a permit to hang a light fixture it most likely would not involve a building inspector, when I got out there and saw this 400 pound light fixture I would have no choice but to question it, and I would hope any inspector would do the same

I made the decision on this one care to guess how much it weighs? Think I want to call my insurance agent explain why I let an engineer decide how to hang it and thats why it fell? NOPE, thats why I hung it the way I know since I am the one who has to stake my reputation on the quality of the work I do. That thing is 99% glass and hangs 14' off the floor I am disappointed that I didn't take pictures of the framing I installed to hang it. But you'll have to trust me it won't fall or damage the home in any way. oh it weighs in at 420# In these pictures the lacing has not been put on the fixture as it was not at the site yet.

 

[mpd]

bekeindy

to each his own, I am stating what I would require, if you want to take that responsibility, it could cost you your business, but whatever have fun install a 600 pounder I could care less, I can only speak for myself and what I would require, and if I was the inspector for your light fixture, you would be getting a engineer or architect involved

 

[ramsy]

install it any way you want I could care less if your inspectors don't want that info for a 400 pound light,

There are a few members here that periodically write NFPA amendments and national standards, however, the archived dialogs that lead to these new developments usually refer to relevant authorities, and codes.

While forum dialogs absent of such authority are not ignored, they seem to serve a different purpose, which may best be described as a source of amusement .

Regardless if common sense is on their side, predominately inspectors, these characters that don't back up opinion with code usually make the easiest targets to goat, gore, and barbecue, since toying with them usually results in glorious flaming displays of self-destructive implosion, and barrels of giggles for the lurking audience.

I hear iwire kindly hinting where the authority may be found, "in the local administrative code," but that olive branch was ignored.

 

[bikeindy]

bekeindy

to each his own, I am stating what I would require, if you want to take that responsibility, it could cost you your business, but whatever have fun install a 600 pounder I could care less, I can only speak for myself and what I would require, and if I was the inspector for your light fixture, you would be getting a engineer or architect involved

I am not an architect or engineer but I slept in a holiday inn express before I hung that fixture.

 

[mpd]

bekeindy

why didn't you say that first

 

[quogueelectric]

Rennart Mansion

Rennart Mansion

We installed many heavy chandeliers in the Rennart mansion in Sagaponnack. Some as heavy as 1100 lbs and all on lifts. I worked for months hand in hand with the french artisans who directed my assembly because my french is not that good. reassembled the custom chandeliers designed with 17th century flare in mind they were absolutely spectacular. All assembled around heavy threaded rod.

 

[JohnJ0906]

I am not an architect or engineer but I slept in a holiday inn express before I hung that fixture.

OK, that's all we need to know.

 

[splinetto]

400 pound light update

400 pound light update

The good news is that the light is up and is properly supported...And the better news is that the light ended up only weighing 35 lbs. . They decided to go with a differnet light..Thank God....I didn't need an engineer:grin:

 

[acrwc10]

I am not an architect or engineer but I slept in a holiday inn express before I hung that fixture.

"Now I don't care who you are, thats funny"



quote from Larry the cable