Do you really need a code book to know that is not a good idea? Not only most it be tied up but it shall be tied up to a permenant part of the structure. Not drop tile grid wire, pipes, conduit (even if its yours), etc. I cant believe some of the things we find in droptile ceilings. Abd the worst of it all is by being licensed, by code we are obligated to fix it.....

Instalz I am in a similiar situation. A builder I do work for bought an old clinic and is turning it into office suites. The building is 40 years old & 40,000 sqft, but was built like Fort Knox. We are doing access control, cameras, a fire system, and phone to each unit with the oppurtunity to do each unit if the leasee chooses.

Because it is an existing structure the inspectors are allowing a lot that they wouldn't if is was new (i.e. no sprinkler system, wood interior framing, etc.). We are trying to do everything by the book. I made an appointment with the local fire marshall and went over all of his concerns, when he wanted inspections, etc. So far everything has been very smooth. His big concern was to get all the stuff that is existing that will not be used removed. You can only imagine how much stuff is above the tiles after 40 years. Right now I am looking for a place that will take scrap cable.

I have not met with the building inspector, but they have told the builder that we are doing a better job than the electricians.

The reason the wire needs to be properly secured above the grid is for an obvious reason no one has mentioned.

Ever see the result of being the poor bastard installing the 1001st data run on top of the ceiling grid? CAT5 doesn't way much does it? Ever think of the weight when there is a couple hundred runs, plus CATV, video, etc? Ceilings have collapsed.

BTW, your speakers may need to be 'supported' somehow in the grid. In my area, even though we never have had an earthquake, they require stuff to be clipped into place in such an event. It does sometimes depend on the inspector.

Ok... but the two are like apples and oranges in commercial installations

All contractors installing wire and cable of any voltage should own and understand the NEC.

Barry's recommendation to speak with the inspector is key. We usually call and say something like "we're bidding on this job for data speakers etc...and want to find out what your going to be looking for."

Also, we used to hang wire from the grid work but use this stuff exclusively. It should only a couple hundred dollars to your cost, but it makes things go quicker and look nicer which the inspector will appreciate.

[Link: erico.com]

Brian @ Connect Source

Oh one other thing,

If the cieling is plenum rated, YOU GOTTA USE PLENUM TIE WRAPS!

I saw the phone/data guy get red tagged for it and he had to replace every tie wrap in the joint. Took some poor bastard a whole day for a 10K sq ft. bldg.

Brian @ Connect Source