fluorescent troffer support

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little sparkie

little sparkie

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Mt. Airy, MD
Hi all, I'm in Maryland and have seen some posts on this topic but none in this state. I'm getting ready to bid a commercial job that has 70 lay-in 4-tube troffers in the plans. The units I'm bidding are on the lower level of a shopping center. There is currently no support grid to attach fixture support wires to, only a corrugated steel ceiling with concrete over it and fire-retardant material over the concrete. There is HVAC and plumbing conduit attached to the ceiling by rods that go right into the concrete. I read 2005 NEC Article 410 and can't find a lot of guidance other than that the ceiling grid, that the tiles and troffers lay on top of, needs to be secured together and to the building. But nothing about suspending the fixtures themselves other than attaching them securely to the grid. Anybody know anything about Md. building codes or other guidance that would help me out? Thanks.
 
Welcome to the forum! :cool:

Would it be possible to ramset (powder actuated tool) clips to the ceiling to hang support wires from? It is what I have had to do before.

I couldn't find a link to show you what I am talking about. :confused:
 
This is what we usually use to support troffers. Supplied by Hilti brand. They get shot into the concrete through the steel deck. There is a long handle extension for the tool that allows them be installed from the ground.
 
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little sparkie said:
Hi all, I'm in Maryland and have seen some posts on this topic but none in this state. I'm getting ready to bid a commercial job that has 70 lay-in 4-tube troffers in the plans. The units I'm bidding are on the lower level of a shopping center. There is currently no support grid to attach fixture support wires to, only a corrugated steel ceiling with concrete over it and fire-retardant material over the concrete. There is HVAC and plumbing conduit attached to the ceiling by rods that go right into the concrete. I read 2005 NEC Article 410 and can't find a lot of guidance other than that the ceiling grid, that the tiles and troffers lay on top of, needs to be secured together and to the building. But nothing about suspending the fixtures themselves other than attaching them securely to the grid. Anybody know anything about Md. building codes or other guidance that would help me out? Thanks.
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Call the code enforcement office that has jurisdiction over this project. Ask them if the support wires are required. They are not required by the NEC, but you need to check with the building & fire inspectors. If they are required, use the hangers that JohnJ and RedHouse mentioned. Any building supply company should have them.
 
Thanks Everybody!!!!!

Thanks Everybody!!!!!

The subject line says it all...muchly appreciated ya'll! :D ...got an education and a half which I shall shortly put to useful.
 
tool needed

tool needed

If local code requires independent support (It's for the firemen) then usually two corners will do and the tool thaqt we use is the Ramset T3 and will run you around $700 with the extension.
 
The support wires to the fixtures also serve to support your branch wiring that is required to be supported independent of the grid wires.
Rick
 
Maybe you could ask who is going to install the grid, and pay them to install wires for you. You'd basically be subbing that portion of the job out to them, and they already have the tools, know-how and material to do it. As far as I'm concerned, that's the way to go.
 
Mainstreet said:
If local code requires independent support (It's for the firemen) then usually two corners will do and the tool thaqt we use is the Ramset T3 and will run you around $700 with the extension.
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Some parts of the country it is also for earthquake protection in case the grid sways and opens up, the fixture will not fall through and kill you.
 
little sparkie said:
Hi all, I'm in Maryland and have seen some posts on this topic but none in this state..... Anybody know anything about Md. building codes or other guidance that would help me out? Thanks.
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Having worked in many parts of Maryland, I can tell you that each county has its own set of rules, and they can be quite different from one to the next.

What county are you working in?
 
kbsparky said:
Having worked in many parts of Maryland, I can tell you that each county has its own set of rules, and they can be quite different from one to the next.

What county are you working in?
Click to expand...

Agreed. Some require 2 corner support, some 4. We always make a call to check if we haven't worked in a jurisdiction recently.
 
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