ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Cord drops in warehouse

I am working in a 100,000 sq ft warehouse, it is 36' to the bar joists. It has racking throughout the warehouse with shipping and receiving areas. There are workstations with desks, computors, copiers and etc throughout the warehouse in various locations. They need power and data to these desks. I want to know how to get power down from the bar joists above to the work stations that OSHA and the NEC will approve. Can I drop from the bar joists at 36' with a cord and put a box with a plug on it? I wold use wir grip (kellems) on both ends of the cord and boxes with hubs.

Most of the installation that I have seen for this involve putting the desks against a wall or column and using that as a conduit route from the roof trusses down to the furniture.
A free-hanging (and free-swinging) cord would likely not be looked upon kindly by the AHJ.

Pendant cords are legal but you need the right strain relieving hardware, hard service cord and generally twist lock receptacles.
If they are not moving these around, you could come floor to ceiling with strut and strap EMT to that. Hang a box there.

High cube warehouses have EMT secured to the rack uprights, protected from any physical damage. The furniture is placed where the outlets are located. EMT for data also.

NEC 400.8, and 400.7 is where to look.

I accept, depending on the individual job, a twistlock receptacle at the bar joists, a kellems, and a TL male cap with a compliant device on the 'user' end of the cord. (Basically an 'extension cord)

Cord drops are an item that has been debated for a long, long time. IMHO, talk to your local AHJ, before you start.

Thanks for the help, looks like there is a lot of work to do to straighten up what they have.