Code Q&A

Apr 11, 2006 1:23 PM, By Mike Holt

Q. Can recessed or surface-mounted lighting fixtures be supported by securing them to the suspended ceiling grid, or must they be independently supported from the building structure?

A. The NEC does not specify that suspended ceilings can be used for the support of luminaries. It just specifies that if the suspended ceiling is used for support, then the luminaires must be attached to the suspended ceiling framing with screws, bolts, rivets, or clips listed and identified for such use [410.16(C)]. The building code must be consulted to determine if the suspended ceiling can be used to support the luminaires in question.