sbutler
Member
- Location
- North Charleston, SC
Is it a code violation to install receptacles in stairwells? If so, where is it stated.
Receptacles in Stairwells
- Thread starter sbutler
- Start date
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jumper
Senior Member
- Location
- 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses
No. Why would it be?
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Perfectly compliant. In fact someone posted that they had a very large landing and the inspector required a receptacle.. Notice I said the inspector req. it not the nec.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
Point taken, but when is it a landing vs. a room, or similar definition. I could claim an entire 1200 square foot floor of a dwelling is a landing for the steps, but I doubt anyone will believe that either
More realistically some lofts could easily be confused as a landing or not a landing.Are you asking about residential or non-residential stairwells? It's not a violation in either case, but if you're asking about non-residential stairwells, I think the confusion may come from a section in the building code. IBC Section 122.5 generally prohibits penetrations into or through a rated stair enclosure, but it does allow electrical penetrations that serve the stairway. So, a receptacle would not be prohibited, but it is possible that someone could miss read this and use it to prohibit the receptacle.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
That is when you smack them in the head and ask why it is allowed to have lighting, switches, fire alarm devices, sprinkler penetrations, elevator controls, security devices, and so forth.
sbutler
Member
- Location
- North Charleston, SC
HA!! Thanks all.
mgookin
Senior Member
- Location
- Fort Myers, FL
This is from Florida, 2010, the basis of which is the ICC.
SECTION 1020 EXITS
1020.1 General.
Exits shall comply with Sections 1020 through 1026 and the applicable requirements of Sections 1003 through 1013. An exit shall not be used for any purpose that interferes with its function as a means of egress. Once a given level of exit protection is achieved, such level of protection shall not be reduced until arrival at the exit discharge.
That replaces previous code edition language which stated that stairwells can only be used for exiting (you don't set up the laundry lady's ironing station in a rated stairwell).
SECTION 1020 EXITS
1020.1 General.
Exits shall comply with Sections 1020 through 1026 and the applicable requirements of Sections 1003 through 1013. An exit shall not be used for any purpose that interferes with its function as a means of egress. Once a given level of exit protection is achieved, such level of protection shall not be reduced until arrival at the exit discharge.
That replaces previous code edition language which stated that stairwells can only be used for exiting (you don't set up the laundry lady's ironing station in a rated stairwell).
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
Kind of makes sense, now can we have a receptacle at a landing in this egress stairwell for using a vacuum or floor polisher? Or are we supposed to run a cord to somewhere outside the area when performing such tasks?
Gregg Harris
Senior Member
- Location
- Virginia
- Occupation
- Electrical,HVAC, Technical Trainer
Yes as long as it meets the rating of the wall type 2 hour rating
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
Doesn't the NEC forbid you to run a cord through a doorway?
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
As part of the building wiring system, anyway.
And then there is the whole question of the extent to which such manufactured cords are covered by the NEC.
- Location
- Massachusetts
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
The fire codes also prohibit keeping the door to fire stairway open.
That must explain why so many stairwell are never vacuumed.
hmy:
- Location
- Massachusetts
That must explain why so many stairwell are never vacuumed.
I knew there was a reason.
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