ᐅ Light fixture and wiring attached to steel beam in the attic

Hello everyone,

I bought damp-proof lamps (long tube-style) for the attic. Now I want to attach them to the steel ceiling, but several people have pointed out that it’s not as straightforward as I, a naive beginner, thought.

Specifically, I need to install 2 lamps and a cable about 5 meters (16 feet) long connecting them.

Options: 1. Make small drill holes and then screw them in (it’s a kind of T-beam, so I can easily drill through the side and attach a nut from the other side) -> Downsides: 1a) I’m not sure if this is allowed because of structural integrity, even though I’m confident that 16 small holes wouldn’t make much difference. 1b) I would have to paint over it to prevent rust and corrosion.

Option 2: Adhesive – I’m not sure if this would hold over a long period, and if something falls, I don’t want any fire risk, so I think this is the least favorable option.

Option 3: A friend suggested building something from metal that sits on top of the T-beam to hold everything in place. I have no idea what to look for at a hardware store, but this would probably be the best option in terms of causing minimal damage.

Photos attached – the gray part is the mounting bracket for the lamp (2 per lamp).

Looking forward to your feedback. 🙂

I would glue it; it’s simple and holds well.

Adhesive bonding works. So does a neodymium magnetic hook.

There are clamps available for double T-beams; maybe you can find something suitable for your needs. This is a standard solution in metal construction, as the beams must not be drilled into (structural integrity).