3 way switch required - stairs in garage ?

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iwire said:
Why not leave it to the person paying for the work?
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That's the easy way out. We are talking about what the Code requires. Many more minds other than ours went into the writing of this section. I would like to hear their reasons.
 
I scanned through the volumes of proposals and found several that deal with section 210.70. These are the only two that come close to dealing with the subject of this thread :

Log # 1648
2- 168 - (210-70(c)-(New): Accept in Principle SUBMITTER: Ralph R. Bickner, Kimball, SD
RECOMMENDATION: Add paragraph (c) to 210-70 (c) Where lighting outlets are installed according to (a) above in stairways, there shall be a wall switch at each floor level to control the lighting outlet when the difference between floor levels is three steps or more. All switches installed according to (a) and (b) in 210-70 shall be installed on the strike side of the door when installed next to a doorway in which a door is installed.
SUBSTANTIATION: At the present time the NEC requires wall switches but does not specify where they are to be located. This can create some real hazards. When inspecting residences, the biggest complaint homeowners have is "why don't you require a three-way switch for stairways so I don't have to go back down to the landing to shut off the entrance stairway light once I have reached the living area". This creates a safety hazard as they are subject to using the stairway without lighting. In both residential and commercial installations, switches for many rooms, especially rest rooms are found behind the door so that it is necessary to go into a dark room and nearly close the door to get to the switch. This may be called a design problem but it is also a safety problem when you have to stumble around in a dark room to find the switch.
PANEL ACTION: Accept in Principle. The Panel accepts (c) but change "three steps" to "six steps". The Panel rejects the second paragraph.
PANEL COMMENT: Six steps is the reasonable difference in floor levels. In some cases it is impractical to locate the switch as requested.
VOTE ON PANEL ACTION; Unanimously Affirmative.
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Log # 2819
2- 166 - (210-70(a): Reject SUBMITTER: Larry E. Fuhrman, Titusv!lle, FL
RECOMMENDATION: Revised text: At least one "switched" lighting outlet may be installed in an attic, under floor space, utility room and basement only where these spaces are used for storage or contain equipment requiring servicing. Note: Added material in quotations.
SUBSTANTIATION: Code now allows a lamp holder (porcelain) without a pull chain or switch. Adding word switched would eliminate keyless fixture and turning lamp into light and out to extinguish.
PANEL ACTION: Reject.
PANEL COMMENT: The Code already permits the recommendation. The proposal is permissive.
VOTE ON PANEL ACTION; Unanimously Affirmative.
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Neither of these deal with the logic of having only one switch at either the top or bottom of the stairs if the uninhabitable space at the top (or bottom) is used for storage with no means of exit.
 
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