Middle Atlantic STL SHL FLR BX SGL SRV - 885B

Middle Atlantic 885B Shallow Steel Single-Service Concrete Floor Box

Overview

The Middle Atlantic 885B is a shallow-profile, single-service steel floor box from the 880 Series, engineered for low-profile in-floor service access in commercial and institutional concrete floor installations. At just 2.44 inches deep with a 4.8-inch square footprint, the 885B fits flush in poured-concrete slabs where a standard-depth box would hit rebar or post-tension cables — making it a practical answer for finished lobbies, open-plan offices, conference rooms, and similar architectural environments where cable management needs to disappear into the floor. TAA compliance means it qualifies for U.S. federal, state, and local government procurement programs that require Trade Agreements Act-compliant products. Explore the full Middle Atlantic catalog for rackmount and infrastructure accessories that pair with floor box installations.

Key Features

• Shallow 2.44-inch depth (6.2 cm): Designed specifically for concrete slabs where depth clearance is limited — fits in thin-pour floors without requiring core drilling around structural elements. If you've had a standard box rejected by a structural engineer on a post-tension deck, this is the spec that resolves that conversation.
• 4.8-inch square footprint (12.2 cm × 12.2 cm): Compact plan dimensions keep the box within a single tile grid on 6-inch or larger floor tile, minimizing finished-floor disruption and trim ring visibility in architectural spaces.
• Single-service configuration: One service opening keeps the installation straightforward for AV, data, or power drops where a multi-gang cutout is unnecessary — fewer gang blanks to manage, cleaner cover plate appearance.
• Steel construction: Rated for concrete encasement; steel shell handles the compressive load of a poured slab without deforming, maintaining cover plate alignment after the concrete cures.
• TAA compliant: Satisfies Trade Agreements Act requirements — usable on GSA Schedule orders, federal construction projects, and state/local bids with TAA mandates without requiring a waiver or substitution.

Integration & Compatibility

The 885B is part of the Middle Atlantic 880 Series shallow floor box family. It is designed for installation in concrete floors prior to pour — coordinate rough-in depth with your concrete contractor against the 2.44-inch body height. The single-service opening accepts industry-standard keystone inserts, décor-style devices, and pass-through grommets depending on finish trim selection. For floor box and in-floor service fitting projects requiring power, data, or AV service at the workstation level, pair with compatible cover plates and device inserts from the 880 Series line. Review your structured cabling pathway plan to confirm conduit stub-up dimensions align with the 4.8-inch body before the slab is poured — repositioning after concrete placement is not an option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Middle Atlantic 885B TAA compliant?

A: Yes. The 885B is TAA compliant, making it eligible for U.S. federal, state, and local government procurement under GSA Schedule and similar programs requiring Trade Agreements Act compliance.

Q: What is the installed depth of the 885B?

A: The 885B has a body depth of 2.44 inches (6.2 cm), making it one of the shallower options in the 880 Series — suitable for thin concrete slabs or post-tension decks where clearance below the slab surface is limited.

Q: What are the plan dimensions of the 885B floor box?

A: The 885B measures 4.8 inches × 4.8 inches (12.2 cm × 12.2 cm) in footprint, fitting within a compact floor cutout and minimizing disruption to finished tile or terrazzo floors.

Q: How many service openings does the 885B provide?

A: The 885B is a single-service box, providing one service opening for AV, data, or power drops. For multi-gang requirements, other configurations in the 880 Series should be evaluated.

Q: Is the 885B suitable for post-tension concrete slabs?

A: Its shallow 2.44-inch depth makes it a candidate for post-tension or thin-pour slabs where standard-depth floor boxes cannot clear structural cables or rebar. Always confirm clearance with your structural engineer before rough-in.

Karl Wilson

The spec that drives the 885B decision is its 2.44-inch body depth — on any post-tension deck or thin-pour architectural slab, that number is the difference between a box that fits and one that gets flagged by the structural engineer before the pour. I specify the 885B on projects where the finished floor aesthetic matters and depth below the slab is constrained, typically finished lobbies, board rooms, and open-plan commercial offices.

Technical Highlights:

• 2.44-inch shallow depth: At 6.2 cm, the 885B clears most post-tension cable zones in standard commercial slab construction — check your structural drawings, but this is the depth spec that opens up installations that a 4-inch or deeper box cannot touch.
• 4.8 × 4.8-inch square footprint: Compact enough to land inside a single 6-inch tile grid without cutting across grout lines — preserves the finished-floor appearance that architects care about in high-visibility spaces.
• TAA compliance: On any federal or GSA-funded build, TAA compliance is a procurement gate, not a preference. The 885B clears that gate without requiring a product substitution or compliance waiver mid-project.

Deployment Considerations:

• Rough-in coordination is critical — the 885B must be positioned and secured before the concrete pour. Confirm stub-up conduit dimensions fit within the 4.8-inch body plan before the slab contractor arrives; there is no adjustment after the pour.
• Single-service configuration limits this box to one device opening — if the workstation needs simultaneous power, data, and AV at the floor, evaluate a multi-gang 880 Series option rather than forcing multiple single boxes into proximity.

The 885B is the right specification for architectural commercial interiors — finished lobbies, conference centers, or any space where a shallow slab and a demanding finish schedule make depth clearance and small footprint non-negotiable requirements.