Hacky request

Do it and keep head down?

  • Yes

    Votes: 2 100.0%

  • No

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    2
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Dewdler

Member
Location
CO
Occupation
Electrical apprentice 2nd year
Hello, I want to start by saying I still have a lot to learn and don't want to cause trouble, but my foreman's requests bug me. He wants us to support light fixtures off 3/4 EMT, which I know isn't allowed, they are the type that need all thread so he wants us to put struts with strut straps hanging off the EMT with spring nuts to thread the all thread into. I am worried if a higher up comes I would get blamed. Should I tell him to kick rocks and order the correct material so this doesn't bite me in the ass? What would you do?
 
New to the employer then check with someone who's been there longer and see what will get you around this issue

Been there a while and know that a higher up will take issue then go to them since you've seen this before

Are you the competent person in charge if not and you can get the instructions if writing or text message then not your fault and you have proof. My personal conscience doesn't like this option though.
 
Nothing is to be hung from other in use active electrical work, IE another electrical conduit is not allowed to support
another electrical system. Now if it's the case that a structural struts is installed in conjunction to the other existing supports this is
allowed. Proper pipe support technics must be maintained. There's no problem using pipe, pipe and threaded rod in combination
off of a strut to hang a light. You are allowed to build and use like materials, but support most always be independently done.

I don't practice kicking rocks.
 
Dewdler said:
Hello, I want to start by saying I still have a lot to learn and don't want to cause trouble, but my foreman's requests bug me. He wants us to support light fixtures off 3/4 EMT, which I know isn't allowed, they are the type that need all thread so he wants us to put struts with strut straps hanging off the EMT with spring nuts to thread the all thread into. I am worried if a higher up comes I would get blamed. Should I tell him to kick rocks and order the correct material so this doesn't bite me in the ass? What would you do?
Click to expand...
I’m not picturing this with that description, can you post a picture? Is the strut hanging off the EMT? The EMT is not being used as a raceway?
 
hillbilly1 said:
Is the strut hanging off the EMT? The EMT is not being used as a raceway?
Click to expand...
I believe that the EMT is being used as a raceway and the foreman wants to attach a piece of strut to it to hang the fixture with a threaded rod from the strut.
 
hillbilly1 said:
I’m not picturing this with that description, can you post a picture? Is the strut hanging off the EMT? The EMT is not being used as a raceway?
Click to expand...
The EMT is being ran down to the light, at which point a small piece of strut is being attached to the EMT, and then a bolt or something is being ran to the light.

To answer OP's question: Yes, it is hacky. Just do it and make a note of it. Later you can evaluate it. If something happens or someone complains, you simply say, "yea, I agree with you, my foreman told me to do it". That's why we get to be picky - because it is our butts on the line if something goes south. Lots of factors may have weighed into the decision that you are unaware of. If you have a good relationship with the foreman, you can ask them to explain why they decided to go that route so that you can learn from it. You can learn some good reasoning skills, or some pitfalls to avoid. It just depends.
 
Thank you all for your advice I appreciate your time. I will take a picture on monday for you hillbilly. You all gave me good ideas here, I will ask him his reasoning, im pretty sure its to save on material because there is HVAC above the lights so itd take like 5 ft X 2 pieces of strut for support.
 
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