Pot lights at suspended ceiling

[Jon mackay]

These are required to be secured to the framing correct?

[James Duffin]

The lights have to be supported independent of the ceiling structure. The wires that support the ceiling grid can not support the light. The fixture has to have additional wires installed dedicated to its support.

[ken horak]

From the 2008 NEC Article 410 ( luminaires,lampholders,and lamps)

410.36 Means of Support
410.36(B) Suspended Ceilings
Framing members of suspended ceiling systems used to support luminaires shall be securely fastened to each other and shall be securely attached to the building structure at appropriate intervals.Luminaires shall be securely fastened to the ceiling framing mmember by mechanical means such as bolts,screws,or rivets. Listed clips identified for use with the type of ceiling framing member(s) and luminaire(s) shall also be permitted.

So to answer your question - yes that recessed light should be secured to the suspended ceiling framing members. It can not just sit on the top of the tile like that. Recess lights are sold with bars that go through brackets on the light and attach to the suspended ceiling tee's.

The requirement to tie it up to the structure and that it can not be supported by the ceiling grid is a local issue. This would vary depending on the jurisdiction and the rules they have.

[James Duffin]

This section also has to taken into consideration. In the areas I work in you have to install additional wires to support fixtures and other wiring above a suspended ceiling. The ceiling wires can support the ceiling only.

300.11 Securing and Supporting.
(A) Secured in Place. Raceways, cable assemblies, boxes,
cabinets, and fittings shall be securely fastened in place.
Support wires that do not provide secure support shall not
be permitted as the sole support. Support wires and associ-
ated fittings that provide secure support and that are installed in addition to the ceiling grid support wires shall be permitted as the sole support. Where independent support wires are used, they shall be secured at both ends. Cables and raceways shall not be supported by ceiling grids.

[Jerry Peck]

(bold red is mine)

From the 2008 NEC Article 410 ( luminaires,lampholders,and lamps)

410.36 Means of Support
410.36(B) Suspended Ceilings
Framing members of suspended ceiling systems used to support luminaires shall be securely fastened to each other and shall be securely attached to the building structure at appropriate intervals.Luminaires shall be securely fastened to the ceiling framing mmember by mechanical means such as bolts,screws,or rivets. Listed clips identified for use with the type of ceiling framing member(s) and luminaire(s) shall also be permitted.

So to answer your question - yes that recessed light should be secured to the suspended ceiling framing members. It can not just sit on the top of the tile like that. Recess lights are sold with bars that go through brackets on the light and attach to the suspended ceiling tee's.

The requirement to tie it up to the structure and that it can not be supported by the ceiling grid is a local issue. This would vary depending on the jurisdiction and the rules they have.




This section also has to taken into consideration. In the areas I work in you have to install additional wires to support fixtures and other wiring above a suspended ceiling. The ceiling wires can support the ceiling only.



300.11 Securing and Supporting.

(A) Secured in Place.

Raceways, cable assemblies, boxes,

cabinets, and fittings shall be securely fastened in place.
Support wires that do not provide secure support shall not
be permitted as the sole support. Support wires and associ-

ated fittings that provide secure support and that are installed in addition to the ceiling grid support wires shall be permitted as the sole support. Where independent support wires are used, they shall be secured at both ends. Cables and raceways shall not be supported by ceiling grids.


James,

Ken has the correct code reference.