Old Work Recess Question

[mkgrady]

I'm getting ready to put recess cans in an existing ceiling and a large apartment building. Above the sheetrock ceiling is metal firring, bar joists, steel beams and a metal deck supporting a poured concrete floor above.

Do the new recess lights need a fire rating? Are old work fire rated recess cans even made? If not, I guess a very large part of the sheet rock ceiling will have to come down to install new work recess. The metal firring strips are 24" apart.

 

[raider1]

I would check with the local building department, but I would guess that the ceiling would have a fire rating.

To my knowledge there are no fire-rated old work recessed cans.

Chris

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Chris if there is a concrete floor above would there still be a need for fire rating?

 

[mkgrady]

Chris if there is a concrete floor above would there still be a need for fire rating?

That's what I was thinking.

 

[raider1]

Chris if there is a concrete floor above would there still be a need for fire rating?

Typically there needs to be a rated floor ceiling assembly with a rating from both sides. The steel members holding up the floor would need to be protected from fire.

Chris

 

[kwired]

Typically there needs to be a rated floor ceiling assembly with a rating from both sides. The steel members holding up the floor would need to be protected from fire.

Chris

My thoughts also, too much heat and the steel members give up and the floor collapses.

 

[mkgrady]

Does it make a difference that the place has sprinklers in every room throughout the building?

 

[kwired]

Does it make a difference that the place has sprinklers in every room throughout the building?

It should have a real effect on minimizing a fire, but I have no idea if it makes any difference to building codes, and ratings required for the ceiling.

 

[raider1]

Does it make a difference that the place has sprinklers in every room throughout the building?

Maybe, there are some rules that relax the fire rating if you use sprinklers.

Chris

 

[mkgrady]

Electrical inspector says ok to old work recess. The only other thing I noticed is that the steel beams have a fireproof material sprayed on them.

 

[raider1]

Electrical inspector says ok to old work recess. The only other thing I noticed is that the steel beams have a fireproof material sprayed on them.

Then that would be used instead of the 1 hour rated ceiling.

Chris

 

[mkgrady]

Then that would be used instead of the 1 hour rated ceiling.

Chris

I'm assuming the concrete floor is the fire barrier between floors.