The Above Ceiling Inspection Part 1.

Make sure all temporary lighting has been removed from the above ceiling space before allowing the ceiling tiles to be installed.
Click to Enlarge
Make sure all temporary lighting has been removed from the above ceiling space before allowing the ceiling tiles to be installed.

When an inspector approves the electrical work above the ceiling, the inspector is assuming that after the inspection is over, the ceiling tiles will be installed soon after with no additional electrical work needing to be done in that area above the ceiling. The electrician should never modify or add more electrical wiring or equipment in an area above the ceiling that was approved by the inspector after the inspector leaves unless another inspection occurs.

The size and type of job will dictate how many above ceiling electrical inspections are likely to take place. For a commercial job such as a multi-story office building or airport terminal, the inspector will be called to inspect electrical work above the ceiling many times as the electrician completes work in each area of the building. For a small business office in a strip mall, the electrical inspector will want to come out once to inspect all electrical work above the ceiling after all electrical wiring methods have been installed, but before any ceiling tiles are in place.

Before the electrician requests an above ceiling electrical inspection, they should be sure to have the below items ready. The below list is general and does not address every possible type of installation:

Below is a preview of the NEC® (NFPA 70). See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the edition of the NEC® being enforced.

NEC 200.6 Means of Identifying Grounded Conductors.

(A) Sizes 6 AWG or Smaller. An insulated grounded conductor of 6 AWG or smaller shall be identified by one of the following means:

(1) A continuous white outer finish.

(2) A continuous gray outer finish.

(3) Three continuous white or gray stripes along the conductor's entire length on other than green insulation.

(4) Wires that have their outer covering finished to show a white or gray color but have colored tracer threads in the braid identifying the source of manufacture shall be considered as meeting the provisions of this section.

(5) The grounded conductor of a mineral-insulated, metal sheathed cable (Type MI) shall be identified at the time of installation by distinctive marking at its terminations.

(B) Sizes 4 AWG or Larger. An insulated grounded conductor 4 AWG or larger shall be identified by one of the following means:

(1) A continuous white outer finish.

(2) A continuous gray outer finish.

(3) Three continuous white or gray stripes along the conductor's entire length on other than green insulation.

(4) At the time of installation, by a distinctive white or gray marking at its terminations. This marking shall encircle the conductor or insulation.

NEC 210.5(C)(1) Branch Circuits Supplied from More Than One Nominal Voltage System. Where the premises wiring system has branch circuits supplied from more than one nominal voltage system, each ungrounded conductor of a branch circuit shall be identified by phase or line and system at all termination, connection, and splice points in compliance with 210.5(C)(1)(a) and (b).

(a) Means of Identification. The means of identification shall be permitted to be by separate color coding, marking tape, tagging, or other approved means.

NEC 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 member 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.

Did You Like This? Let Us Know With A Like! Thanks!

The Above Ceiling Inspection Part 1.

Below is a Real Question from our Electrical Continuing Education Courses for Electrical License Renewal:

Which of the following is the best practice?

A: The above ceiling electrical inspection should be scheduled before the ceiling tiles are installed.
B: Always encourage the electrician to add more electrical wiring above a ceiling where the inspector has already approved it after the inspector leaves.
C: All ceiling tiles should be installed before the above ceiling electrical inspection.
D: The electrician should request the inspection before any electrical wiring methods have been installed, and then try to hurry and get it done before the inspector arrives to issue a red tag for “work not ready”.
Please register or sign in for electrical continuing education courses.

If you were already signed in, your session probably expired, please sign back in.