In industrial manufacturing buildings, such as one I recently wired, where the ceiling is 35', the building measures 460' x 500' and the support columns are 60' OC how else would you provide electrical service to machines and work stations on the floor if you didn't use pendant drops? If you used conduit what would you support it to? Besides, when it snows the roof flexes up to 8" between columns. Stub ups in the concrete floor would eventually encourage the use of extension cords as assembly lines and processes changed requiring the re-arranging of work areas and machinery. Cord drops are the safest way to go when properly installed.
