Lay-in Fluorescent fixtures and earthquake clips

[Ragin Cajun]

Was at a fast food construction site and the electrician said the AHJ rejected the use of the fixture supplied "earthquake" clips. The fixtures also had tie wires on two corners. The AHJ required that he screw the fixtures to the grid.

Anybody hear of this? Or was the AHJ having a bad day?

Thanks in advance,


RC

 

[benaround]

RC,

the only NEC is to fasten to the grid ( or screw to the grid ) other means

fall under building codes.

 

[Inspectorcliff]

2x4 troffers

2x4 troffers

410.16 (C) should be the requirements, unless the drawing are engineered to do something other than that. :roll:

 

[rcarroll]

Look at 2005 NEC 410.16. I think your inspector is wrong, unless there is a local amenment. 300.11 also has some info. Good luck

 

[raider1]

Keep in mind that the building codes can require more securing of the luminaires for seismic requirements.

I live in an seismic zone D1 and we are required to attach the fixture to the grid as well as provide 2 wires or safety chains on opposing corners. This requirement comes from the CISCA guidelines for seismic restraint direct hung suspended ceiling assemblies guide for seismic zones 3 & 4.

Chris

 

[JES2727]

Every inspector I have ever dealt with does not accept the built-in clips. I don't know why. Seems to me they work just fine. We have always been required to use the caddy clips, or screws. The support wires are not required by the NEC, so I don't use them unless the building inspector requires it.

 

[Cavie]

Every inspector I have ever dealt with does not accept the built-in clips. I don't know why. Seems to me they work just fine. We have always been required to use the caddy clips, or screws. The support wires are not required by the NEC, so I don't use them unless the building inspector requires it.

The clips get turned down because they are not used properly. Most electricans only bend them out over the top of the grid. They are designed to clip onto and hook over the lip of the grid. If I can push up on the fixture they get rejected and screws are required. Fire inspectors sometimes require hanging wires. If they do, it is in addition to the screws required by the nec.

 

[Ragin Cajun]

Thanks, guys.

AHJ add-on's are a real killer. Make us all "look bad".

RC

 

[Minuteman]

AHJ add-on's are a real killer. Make us all "look bad".

If they have written amendments, than it's not so bad. When they pull stuff out of their... hat, it's another story.

 

[cowboyjwc]

I agree with Cavie. I very seldom see the clips installed properly. The requirements for attaching the fixtures to the grid is not a "pull it out of your hat" requirement, it is in the IBC and may be in the t-bar standards.

 

[RayS]

Every inspector I have ever dealt with does not accept the built-in clips. I don't know why. Seems to me they work just fine. We have always been required to use the caddy clips, or screws. The support wires are not required by the NEC, so I don't use them unless the building inspector requires it.

The justification I have heard for the clips not being acceptable is that the clips must be listed for the particular ceiling grid used. I didn't bother looking up the data, just screwed them to the grid.

Maybe the light mfgrs can start providing a list of acceptable grids...