Bath ceiling light fixture within 3 feet of tub

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Stevenfyeager

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United States, Indiana
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electrical contractor
8 feet above highest water level in free standing tub within 3 feet horizontally of edge of tub clearance necessary, correct ? This for a hanging fixture or a surface mounted one, correct ? Any limit on how far down the surface light can be ? Or are all surface mounted ones not allowed ?Thank you.
 
Correct 410.10

(D) Bathtub and Shower Areas. No parts of cord-connected
luminaires, chain-, cable-, or cord-suspended luminaires, lighting
track, pendants, or ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans shall be
located within a zone measured 900 mm (3 ft) horizontally and
2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or
shower stall threshold. This zone is all encompassing and
includes the space directly over the tub or shower stall. Luminaires
located within the actual outside dimension of the bathtub
or shower to a height of 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from the top
of the bathtub rim or shower threshold shall be marked for
damp locations, or marked for wet locations where subject to
shower spray.

It does not give a min but it does say anything in there needs to be marked for damp or wet locations.
 
There was a change for 2020.


2020 Language:

410.10(D) Bathtub and Shower Areas. A luminaire installed in a bathtub or shower area shall meet all of the following requirements:

N (1) No parts of cord-connected luminaires, chain-, cable-, or cord-suspended luminaires, lighting track, pendants, or ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans shall be located within a zone measured 900 mm (3 ft) horizontally and 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold. This zone is all-encompassing and includes the space directly over the tub or shower stall.

N (2) Luminaires located within the actual outside dimension of the bathtub or shower to a height of 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower threshold shall be marked suitable for damp locations or marked suitable for wet locations. Luminaires located where subject to shower spray shall be marked suitable for wet locations.
 
Thanks. It’s not clear to me if a surface mounted light can be closer than 3’. It seems to read hanging fixtures ? (“ cord connected, chain, or cable or cord suspended “)
 
Stevenfyeager said:
Thanks. It’s not clear to me if a surface mounted light can be closer than 3’. It seems to read hanging fixtures ? (“ cord connected, chain, or cable or cord suspended “)
Click to expand...
Really surface mount, or do you mean flush mount?

A chandelier is flush mount, because it's dependent upon where it MOUNTS, not how far it hangs down

A fluorescent strip light MOUNTS to the surface with toggle bolts, or other anchors. Might look funny over a tub
 
As stated above by Greetagger you can have a non hanging fixture in the area, it just needs to be marked for a damp location OR if it will be sprayed at all it has to then be suitable for wet locations.
 
James L said:
Really surface mount, or do you mean flush mount?

A chandelier is flush mount, because it's dependent upon where it MOUNTS, not how far it hangs down

A fluorescent strip light MOUNTS to the surface with toggle bolts, or other anchors. Might look funny over a tub
Click to expand...


A chandelier is not a flush mount, IMO. There is recessed, flush, semi-flush and pendant. A chandelier is a pendant.
 
Stevenfyeager said:
Thanks. It’s not clear to me if a surface mounted light can be closer than 3’. It seems to read hanging fixtures ? (“ cord connected, chain, or cable or cord suspended “)
Click to expand...


You are correct. A fixture can be right over the tub if it is rated wet or damp location depending on whether it is subject to spray.
 
This is compliant as these fixtures are damp location

enhance
 
Dennis Alwon said:
A chandelier is not a flush mount, IMO. There is recessed, flush, semi-flush and pendant. A chandelier is a pendant.
Click to expand...
As far as I know, nothing in the code says "flush" when referencing lights

We're stuck choosing between recessed and surface.

But the difference between surface and flush is in how it mounts. There isn't anything allowing a chandelier to mount to a surface.. It has to mount to a box that's in turn mounted. A chandeluer is also not recessed. The supporting bracket of a chandelier mounts flush with the surface.

The OP is asking about a "surface mount" light and in the same breath mentions "hanging"

I don't think he meant surface mount
 
James L said:
As far as I know, nothing in the code says "flush" when referencing lights

We're stuck choosing between recessed and surface.

But the difference between surface and flush is in how it mounts. There isn't anything allowing a chandelier to mount to a surface.. It has to mount to a box that's in turn mounted. A chandeluer is also not recessed. The supporting bracket of a chandelier mounts flush with the surface.

The OP is asking about a "surface mount" light and in the same breath mentions "hanging"

I don't think he meant surface mount
Click to expand...


I think if you read it carefully he has a surface fixture. He mention the section for hanging lights and was trying to make sure he read it correctly. That is, that the section only referred to hanging lights, fans, etc

Go to lowes or online and look up surface or flush mount, semi flush, chandelier etc...
 
you can install a keyless open bulb in an enclosed shower if the open bulb is 8' above the threshold. not recommended but I tried to insert a code change & NFPA responded with there is no evidence of hazard.
 
If a manufacturer requires a fixture ie. exhaust fan to be GFCI protected when over a shower or tub. Does this mean that the shower or tub location has been expanded three feet beyond it's physical footprint?
 
Knuckle Dragger said:
If a manufacturer requires a fixture ie. exhaust fan to be GFCI protected when over a shower or tub. Does this mean that the shower or tub location has been expanded three feet beyond it's physical footprint?
Click to expand...
No, it just means that the light is not a hanging light and is allowed in the space, and in order to be allowed, it has to be GFCI protected. No boundaries extended.
 
Thanks for the response.
I had the inspector on a bathroom remodel last year explain to me last year that an exhaust fan had to be GFCI protected if within three feet of the tub or shower.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
This is compliant as these fixtures are damp location

enhance
Click to expand...


That's interesting.. looks nice. Wonder if an inspector would question it. It does look questionable. :- )

I know it's a tub... but it would seem like that would more apply to spas, hot tubs, and pools. At least gfci protected.. standing in the tub and grabbing the fixture ( which you shouldn't but) might be an issue.
 
This is not my job but was done by a previous member. He said lights were listed for damp location and the code is okay with this setup.
 
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