Overcoming joists

[sparrrrk]

Hi all,

Hopefully some bright spark can enighten me. Been asked to move a bathroom ceiling light fitting today. Not a difficult job however I can't gain access to ceiling void due to a functional bathroom directly above the bathroom where the work needs doing. Floor tiles are laid which the customer does not want removing.

From where the fitting is now to where it needs to be a joist is in the way. Does anyone know a trick to overcome this from below. Hopefully there's a trick of the trade I haven't come accross yet.

thanks

 

[uksparks]

Just clip it to the underside of the joist where you have bashed a hole in the ceiling, I do it all the time.

 

[DPG]

Just clip it to the underside of the joist where you have bashed a hole in the ceiling, I do it all the time.

I think I'd have put a smiley after that to show that you were joking. Daz

 

[uksparks]

Lol. I generally cut as small a hole I can get away with either side of the joist to get the cable through, clip it tithe underside. I'll be quite honest I don't put anything over the cable, it's RCD protected and in the ceiling, I don't think putting a bit of steel over it is going to make s great deal of difference, I'm not saying I don't do that, it just depends, each job is slightly different.

 

[Simonslimline]

You could just drill 1 x 100mm or even 75mm hole directly under the joist then cut a small notch for the cable across the underside then screw the plasterboard circle back either side of the notch and fill round the edge.

Pretty much how we do it when needed. Locate joist with a braddle and poke a hole through either side, use multitool and cut a small square out slightly longer than the joist on either side and notch the joist to one side of the square, pull cable through and screw board back and fill.


Edit, refereeing to Davesparks comment regarding Part A, i will certainly be questioning the method described above next time the situation arrises at work.

 

[tomspark93]

From their description on your link: 'A plastic box to insulate connector blocks'

I would say most people would see your phrase 'chock block' in your earlier post and assume you meant screw terminals though. Daz

Your both mistaken, choc block is actually loosely tightend connector strip that creates a high resistant joint which then melts like chocolate:juggle2:

 

[davesparks]

Just clip it to the underside of the joist where you have bashed a hole in the ceiling, I do it all the time.

Seriously? Please tell me this is a joke and you do actually do the job properly by drilling through the joist at a suitable height?

 

[davesparks]

You could just drill 1 x 100mm or even 75mm hole directly under the joist then cut a small notch for the cable across the underside then screw the plasterboard circle back either side of the notch and fill round the edge.

Building regulations part A which is concerned with structural integrity specifically forbids any notching of the bottom surface of joists.

 

[uksparks]

Seriously? Please tell me this is a joke and you do actually do the job properly by drilling through the joist at a suitable height?

I doubt you will find many people who will cut a huge hole in the ceiling to fit a drill in, I always clip it to the under side, more often than not I'll put a bit of capping over it, but nothing more.

show me in the regs where this method is not permitted.

 

[davesparks]

I doubt you will find many people who will cut a huge hole in the ceiling to fit a drill in, I always clip it to the under side, more often than not I'll put a bit of capping over it, but nothing more.

show me in the regs where this method is not permitted.

Part A of the building regulations prohibits any notching of the underside of joists. Unlike bs7671 this is law.

 

[uksparks]

I don't ever notch the underside, I always clip it under it and skim over.

 

[davesparks]

My mistake on that part. It's the other posters who are ignoring that rule.
Clipping it under the joist is not much better, hardly the work of a professional is it?

A 4" hole saw through the ceiling gives plenty of room to get a drill through the joist and it's easy enough to put the disc back in. They've got to fill and paint a hole anyway so it's no more hassle for the customer than other methods

 

[Lazlo]

Underneath the joist = stetson and spurs.

 

[uksparks]

Its not my preferred option, and acknowledge its not the best solution, but sometimes its the best one that fits a particular job.

It all depends on what you are dealing with and how much space, and everything else, i do where possible try to drill holes through, but dont like to drill at too much of an angle as it brings it out high up.

 

[telectrix]

you're all well behind the times here. i use wireless LED fittings supplied by Wong Tong Electrical Supplies in Hong Kong. Not only do they save drilling the ceiling, but they use no electricity whatever, being powered entirely by dylithium crystals which have a service life of 40,000 years. they recharge from the heat generated by the fire caused by your non-metal consumer units.

 

[IzzyS]

I doubt you will find many people who will cut a huge hole in the ceiling to fit a drill in, I always clip it to the under side, more often than not I'll put a bit of capping over it, but nothing more.

show me in the regs where this method is not permitted.

In my opinion it doesn't comply with 522.6.201. (Or in the previous edition, 522.6.100)