Chicago Plenum sounds like a fancy jazz bar, but it’s actually an important lighting and HVAC regulation—officially known as the CCEA (City of Chicago Environmental Air other than Ducts and Plenums.)
In cities like Chicago, known for it’s strict fire safety laws, compliance with the Chicago Plenum standard isn’t optional—it’s mandatory. But what exactly does it mean, and how does it impact your lighting?
Chicago Plenum IC boxes pre-painted black
What is Chicago Plenum?
Chicago Plenum is a fire safety standard requiring low-smoke, low-toxicity materials to be used in air-circulating spaces (plenums) within Chicago buildings, especially where HVAC and lighting components like recessed lighting are involved. These materials must comply with UL 2043 standards.
Why is Chicago Plenum needed for lighting installations?
Lighting components in plenum spaces must be fire resistant to meet Chicago’s strict fire safety codes. These requirements apply to drop ceilings, recessed lighting, HVAC spaces, and any zone where airflow circulates.
Ignoring these standards will result in failed inspections, costly retrofits, and even fines. So, if you buy, sell, or install lighting in any of these areas, Chicago Plenum compliance should be at the top of your list.
What lighting components need to be Chicago Plenum-Rated?
- IC Boxes (Insulated Ceiling Boxes): IC boxes that are rated for Chicago Plenum are widely used because they help contain fire within the fixture area, making them ideal for ceiling installations. This containment feature is essential for preventing the spread of fire through plenum spaces.
- Driver Boxes & Junction Boxes: These boxes house and protect wiring in plenum-rated installations. They play a crucial role in ensuring that wiring is contained safely and that the spread of smoke and flames is minimized, which is a key consideration in buildings with strict fire codes like those of Chicago.
- Bar Hangers & Brackets: Bar hangers and brackets are essential for securely mounting lighting fixtures within plenum spaces. These components are vital for the stability of the installation.
These components must meet specific Chicago Plenum regulations, ensuring that they are fire-resistant and safe for use in spaces like air ducts, ceiling cavities, or between floors, where air circulation could otherwise spread fire hazards.
What materials are used for Chicago Plenum?
Metals like aluminum and galvanized steel are the go-to due to its fire-resistant properties.
Any insulation used also needs to meet strict smoke and flame spread standards, typically achieved with materials designed for low combustibility. You’ll often see plenum-rated components with a UL certified stamp on it.
Are Chicago Plenum IC boxes airtight?
No. Chicago Plenum IC Boxes are not inherently airtight.
To meet Chicago Plenum standard the IC boxes requires: no holes, all seams and joints be tightly overlapped or gasketed, and junction box covers that open into the ceiling to be gasketed. The knockouts must also be “flush” or “press-back” types to prevent any gaps. The CCEA does not provide any specific airflow metric.
By contrast, when insulation is involved and municipal or state laws impose specific airflow standards (eg. < 2 CFM to meet Florida’s Building Code), the luminaire must be enclosed by a metal barrier or enclosure (IC Box) that restricts airflow to the applicable specifications. Tripar’s ultra-airtight IC boxes meet both Chicago Plenum and these reduced airflow restrictions, ensuring compliance across various building codes.
How does Tripar meet Chicago Plenum Standards?
At Tripar, we specialize in recessed lighting components designed to meet or exceed Chicago Plenum standards. Our product lineup includes everything from IC boxes, plaster frames, bar hangers to brackets, driver boxes and more—all rigorously tested to ensure they meet applicable requirements.
In fact, we serve hundreds of lighting OEMs across North America requiring the best Chicago Plenum-rated lighting parts. We offer standard products and custom fabrication for your commercial lighting needs. Our expertise extends to helping OEMs build lighting products to meet Chicago Plenum and UL1598 regulations.
Key takeaways
- Safety: Chicago Plenum standards protect against fire risks in airflow areas.
- Durability: Metal-based, fire-resistant materials offer long-lasting performance meeting the Chicago Plenum standards.
- Compliance: Using plenum-rated lighting components ensures a smooth approval process for commercial building projects.
- Tripar Expertise: With 75+ years of experience, Tripar is a trusted provider of Chicago Plenum-compliant IC boxes, driver boxes, plaster frames, and more, meeting the needs of OEMs across North America.
Conclusion
In Chicago, keeping lighting installations in plenum spaces compliant isn’t just a good idea—it’s a legal requirement. Using Chicago Plenum-rated components keeps your building installations safe, compliant, and future-proof. When it comes to fire safety, investing in the right products is worth every penny.
