Old lighting in a remodel.

[wrobotronic]

Hi All,
During a courtesy inspection today, the EC asked me about what I wanted done with existing lighting.

He had several questions in which I felt confident in my answers. One, kind of threw me though. During this remodel, the existing fixtures will be used as much as possible. He wanted to know if they don't touch the lights (ie re-wire, move, add new fixtures to the circuit, etc), if I would make him use tie wire to attach them to the ceiling.

As an electrician, I would want to make the updated space as safe as possible and would probably just tie them up. However, as an inspector, I'm not sure if there is a directive in the NEC, that requires this. To be honest, I'm not even sure where in the code it says the fixtures are required to be tied in each corner, independently of the grid on new installations.

So, any direction to the safety aspect of the ECs question or if there is in fact a code section I can quote would be great. Thank you all very much!!!

 

[ActionDave]

.... To be honest, I'm not even sure where in the code it says the fixtures are required to be tied in each corner, independently of the grid on new installations.....

There isn't any in the NEC. The closest thing there is for suspended ceilings is 410.36 and that requires the lights be secured to the ceiling grid, not be independent of it.

Building codes, on the other hand, may have independent support requirements.

 

[donaldelectrician]

Hi All,
During a courtesy inspection today, the EC asked me about what I wanted done with existing lighting.

He had several questions in which I felt confident in my answers. One, kind of threw me though. During this remodel, the existing fixtures will be used as much as possible. He wanted to know if they don't touch the lights (ie re-wire, move, add new fixtures to the circuit, etc), if I would make him use tie wire to attach them to the ceiling.

As an electrician, I would want to make the updated space as safe as possible and would probably just tie them up. However, as an inspector, I'm not sure if there is a directive in the NEC, that requires this. To be honest, I'm not even sure where in the code it says the fixtures are required to be tied in each corner, independently of the grid on new installations.

So, any direction to the safety aspect of the ECs question or if there is in fact a code section I can quote would be great. Thank you all very much!!!

We out in California had to tie or chain , screw , 2 corners of a fixture in ceiling Grid .

I thought this was because of Earth Quakes and if Fire Men ripped down a ceiling .


i agree with it … You will find something in Fixtures in Ceiling Grid … and amendments .



Don

 

[MiElectrician]

I was in Detroit and the inspector said we had to hang all of the fixtures so they don't fall down in a fire, we didn't and another inspector came and passed us. I think it goes city by city though.