Clg. FA Device

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Alwayslearningelec

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I have a job with A LOT of ceiling fire alarm devices. THey are in a 2x2 acoustical ceiling. Would you always use a T Bar to mount the box?
 
The cables at least need to be at least supported by the building structure, so a t-bar would be needed

760.24 Mechanical Execution of Work.
(A) General. Fire alarm circuits shall be installed in a neat workmanlike manner. Cables and conductors installed exposed on the surface of ceilings and sidewalls shall be supported by the building structure in such a manner that the cable will not be damaged by normal building use. Such cables shall be supported by straps, staples, cable ties, hangers, or similar fittings designed and installed so as not to damage the cable. The installation shall also comply with 300.4(D).
 
Do a Google search for Orbit or Caddy fire alarm box for ceiling grid. This is my first time using them but they are so worth it. Since you need at least a 3" box for a speaker, in the past you had to use a Caddy 512HDEEP, and either a 3" box or a box and an ext ring. The cost is about $10 it takes some labor, the bracket interferes with a 3/4" flex connector in the back and with the flimsy grids they are installing nowadays, the box and bracket tend to lean, making it a pain to look good. I tell you all that because the Caddy assembly is not cheap. $27 is what we are paying, but it includes box and all already assembled. Cut the tile, snap on the box, adjust two screws to depth. In Florida, it is worth the labor offset. I New Jersey it should really be worth the offset.
 
Strathead said:
Oops. I first read it wrong. You sai FA device, I read speaker for some reason. Just use a caddy 512 with 4s box and mud ring.
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No worries. Are you responsible for cutting ceiling tiles or does the ceiling guy on site do it? In the past I have typically had to cut tiles as needed, so an octagon box means I can just find center and hole saw. I’m imagining it being a pain to cut a rectangle for a mud ring into a tile, unless there’s some technique I don’t know about.
 
Choice_Gorilla said:
No worries. Are you responsible for cutting ceiling tiles or does the ceiling guy on site do it? In the past I have typically had to cut tiles as needed, so an octagon box means I can just find center and hole saw. I’m imagining it being a pain to cut a rectangle for a mud ring into a tile, unless there’s some technique I don’t know about.
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Some devices only fit in a rectangle. I can set a mudring down close enough to my center mark and run a pencil mark cut with drywall saw just as fast pretty much.
 
do you alway need a mud/plaster ring for a ceiling fire alarm device? Thought the device goes in the box with a plaster ring for devices in a acoustical ceiling.
 
Alwayslearningelec said:
do you alway need a mud/plaster ring for a ceiling fire alarm device? Thought the device goes in the box with a plaster ring for devices in a acoustical ceiling.
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It depends on the device. Some like speaker stobes may go into a 1900 box with no ring. Others may require a single gang mud ring.
 
Choice_Gorilla said:
No worries. Are you responsible for cutting ceiling tiles or does the ceiling guy on site do it? In the past I have typically had to cut tiles as needed, so an octagon box means I can just find center and hole saw. I’m imagining it being a pain to cut a rectangle for a mud ring into a tile, unless there’s some technique I don’t know about.
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For some reason, our quotes all exclude cutting the ceiling tile, but our techs always do it when they are on site. They want to be in an out and don't have time to wait around for someone to mosey on over and cut some tiles when they feel like it.
 
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