I used to install a lot of very large chandeliers for my former company (500-800 lbs) and since going on my own haven't had to do a really big ass one. But the question I used to always bring up to my old boss was "how do we not need to consult the engineer on this?" I don't feel like ceiling joist are rated for those loads. And specifically when they are hung from the bottom of trusses. I am a little concerned now that its my ass on the line. Anyone consult an engineer on this for structural integrity?
Large chandeliers
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For big chandeliers we always put in extra woodwork in, usually for 2 reasons.
One get it exactly center, customers putting in a giant chandelier generally have a specific idea of where they (or their designer) want it placed and usually its not where the joists are (Murphy's law).
Two if it weights 800 pounds don't usually need an engineer to tell me it might be a good idea to add some extra woodwork because I want to be 100% sure that light will NEVER come down unless I take it down. I don't want the hassle of lawyers or the guilt of knowing someone got hurt because I wasn't sure it would hold.
Basically if i'm not sure I add more support better safe then sorry
One get it exactly center, customers putting in a giant chandelier generally have a specific idea of where they (or their designer) want it placed and usually its not where the joists are (Murphy's law).
Two if it weights 800 pounds don't usually need an engineer to tell me it might be a good idea to add some extra woodwork because I want to be 100% sure that light will NEVER come down unless I take it down. I don't want the hassle of lawyers or the guilt of knowing someone got hurt because I wasn't sure it would hold.
Basically if i'm not sure I add more support better safe then sorry
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Hung a Solid Brass Chandelier in an entry way of a funeral home. Took 5 of us to hang and a scissor lift... we set the chandelier on a pallet and set the pallet on the top rails of the lift... One of us got in the attic and put 2 more 2x4 braces. Drilled a hole to allow a 1" all thread....
If you are talking 500 to 800 lb Fixtures and saying 2x4 ...
I do not want to be near it or UNDER IT .
Pete
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Well actually i think it was 2x6 laid flat.... hey it's still hanging after 10+ years....
Be more worried about Lighting striking the huge oak tree outside .... Oh wait it did... should have seen the mexican paiters when sparks flew out of the switch boxes .... EPIC!!!"
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But was it actually 800lbs?
Ive beefed up framing for like 300-400. I lay a piece of strut across the top of the joist and lag it down and hang it from that if its heavier. My thought is I'm dispersing the load better. I also do a lot of light lifts and I always build a grid with strut for the 1000lb lifts. to disperse it really wide.
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I admit I know know beans about safe carpentry, but some of the methods described here would make me nervous as hell for supporting 500+ pounds of light fixture.
All I can add that's constructive is if these are trusses, get in touch with the manufacturer to see about acceptable point-loading.
All I can add that's constructive is if these are trusses, get in touch with the manufacturer to see about acceptable point-loading.
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Well when the carpenter knows there's going to be a heavy chandelier light fixture they make sure there is enough support ... we just added a little more.... so it was actually 4 blocks of 2x6's.
a 500 pound load can require many different load bearing methods depending on where you install it too. A seismically active zone might need a safety factor much higher than a support in a seismically quiete area.
I think the basic safety factor is 4 so a 500 pound light needs a 2000 pound support?
I think the basic safety factor is 4 so a 500 pound light needs a 2000 pound support?
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Tell that to the little Smurfs in the attic trying to hold it from falling on someone's head..... yes they're smurfs because they are so blue in the face...
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