Data wires tied to ceiling support wires

[dcspaul]

I know.. it's a big can of worms. On several jobs in the past we have hung our own J hooks for the backbone cabling, but when we peel off of it toward the location, when it is only a few wires, we clip a batwing to the grid wire and cable tie to the wing. Most inspectors accept this because it is a branch circuit. I read an article somewhere, I think from Mike Holt about it being OK to do this as long as they had some maximum weight that worked out to 16 cat 5 cables over a 5 foot span. I cant find it in my 2002 NEC and our current job the G. C. is saying the inspector wants everything off the grid wires.

 

[peter]

It would be OK if the manufacturer of the ceiling system approved. But I've never heard of them doing that.
One problem, especially if there is a change in direction, is that the tension can place a side load on the grid wire and pull it up slightly and cause the grid itself to be lifted up at that spot.
~Peter

 

[quogueelectric]

Thank the inspector for warning you not to put the wires on the ceiling system so you dont have to resupport it instead of complaining about it.

 

[raider1]

The 2005 NEC added 300.11 to 800.24. This required that communications cables met the securing and supporting requirements of 300.11 which prohibit using ceiling grid support wires from being used to support CAT 5 wires unless the ceiling grid was designed to do so.

Chris

 

[JASMITH7520]

Fire Marshall Bill (his real name) once told me that they dont want anything but the ceiling supported off the grid wires in case there's a fire above the ceiling and they have to yank down the grid to get to the flames....Also there are several local codes here in Ohio that specificially prohibit it....I don't use the grid wires for support myself either bridle rings and beam clamps or i run my own ceiling wires that are NOT tied to the grid for support.....Everyone else seems to get away with it though....Most burglar alarm techs just run there cable across the grid itself not tied to anything anywhere.....

 

[brussell]

South Florida inspectors are very strict and won't let you use the existing ceiling hanger wires at all. Some municipalities require that if you are going to put in your own hanger wires, they must be supported at both ends so they won't swing. Of course this makes them look exactly like the ceiling hangers! So I spray paint the end of the bundle of wire blue (the alarm guys often use red) before intalling them so the inspector can identify mine.