roach1521
Member
- Location
- Deptford nj
Are pull down attic stairs considered "permanent stairs or ladders"
Pull down attic stairs
- Thread starter roach1521
- Start date
- Status
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
Depends on who you talk to, but I say they are permanent.
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Engineer
I would say yes. If, for example, there is a device on the floor above that is require to be "readily accessible," then a pull-down ladder would not put you into the "no portable ladders" arena. I think the rule against portable ladders has to do with the difficulty you might face if you are not able to find the ladder when you wish to use it.
luckylerado
Senior Member
- Location
- Lake of the Ozarks
I do not consider trusses to be floor joists if there is no flooring or sub-flooring installed but that is just how I would argue the point knowing that it is a long shot. Some assumptions were made in creating this response...
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- engineer
The term is not defined in the NEC so it means whatever whomever is interpreting it thinks it means.
I would suggest any reasonable definition of the word permanent would include a pull down stair that is secured in place, unless one argues that a house is not permanent because it will eventually be torn down. Don't laugh. I have heard argument that are close to that silly made here before.
growler
Senior Member
- Location
- Atlanta,GA
This is a free country and if you have an IQ of over 21 you are allowed to vote and have an opinion.
Knuckle Dragger
Master Electrician Electrical Contractor 01752
- Location
- Marlborough, Massachusetts USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
If the pull down is defined as permanent, do we need to install three way switches at the top and bottom of the stairwell when pulled down:huh:
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
There is no requirement for three way switches at a stairwell, only that there be a switch at each level.
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- engineer
it is clearly not a stairwell.
rcarroll
Senior Member
- Location
- Fort Collins, Colorado
I say no.
Johnnybob
Senior Member
- Location
- Colville, WA
How bout 20.5? Close enough, eh?
mbrooke
Batteries Included
- Location
- United States
- Occupation
- Technician
Every pull down ladder attic around here has a pull chain socket with the string hanging down around the opening. One condo complex takes it further and has a lighted switch in the hallway- ie glows red when the attic bulb is lit.
From a code perspective, my understanding is that unless you have heating or cooling equipment up there, you do not need a light source and the pull down stairs are not "permanent".
From a code perspective, my understanding is that unless you have heating or cooling equipment up there, you do not need a light source and the pull down stairs are not "permanent".
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
I am working on a house that was moved from one place to another, they just finished setting it in it's new place today, does that make it a mobile home now?
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
Nope, and it does not make it a manufactured home either.
- Status