Shop lights above a drop ceiling....?

[tdietrich1]

OK, this defies common senses, based on number of ballast fires I've had to respond too. However, I would like something better than "I said so." I found shop lights, the kind you either hang from chains or mount directly to ceiling surfaces, mounted above a drop ceiling. So they are open to smoke, flame, or break florescent light bulbs in the cavity.

Any references how this is not safe?

tom

[Mike Whitt]

Unless the area above the drop ceiling is being used as return air then nothing I know of can stop the installation.

[Greg Fretwell]

If they are not actually hanging by chain (or otherwise spaced off the ceiling) it is a 110.3(B) The ballast depends on air flow over the metal can for cooling.

[brian winkle]

I see that type of setup in commercial office strip malls. It's usually 8 foot 2 lamp fixtures hung from chains or seismic wires over suspended ceilings with diffusers under the fixtures. I don't really see a safety issue, but they are a pain to work on.

[Bob Elliott]

nice light panels.
That are made for it.Why get laughed at.