bathroom lighting

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fidel

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I have a jaccuzzi bath tub and I would like to install 2 wall sconces behind the tub is this legal and how high must the sconces be?
 
Re: bathroom lighting

I would say that you should not be within the allowances of 410.4(D). In this case, you will have to keep a 3' horizontal by 8' vertical zone around the tub rim where no fixtures should be. This makes placing fixtures in bathroom areas very limited for most bathrooms. :)
 
Re: bathroom lighting

Bryan,
I don't think that 410.4(D) prohibits wall hung fixtures in the tub area. I think that it should, but I don't think that it does. It is all based on what a "hanging fixture" is. Is a wall hung fixture a "hanging fixture"? I think that this was addressed in a ROP but I don't remember exactaly when.
If this was a hot tub, then 680.43(B) would prohibit the installation. As long as it is a hydromassage bathtub, then 410.4(D) applies.
Don
 
Re: bathroom lighting

Don,
I had a feeling someone was going to bring up that point. The section is definitely not clear on wall mounted fixtures. It probably wouldnt be a direct violaton of the code, but I think the section would be good parameters to go by.
Bryan
 
Re: bathroom lighting

I don't know exactly how to define these but the illustrated Guide to the NEC says that "surface mounted lights" are allowed in the "bathtub zone" under 410.4(D). Recessed are as well.

This doesn't seem right to me because it looks as if you can put the right kind of fixture well within reach of someone in a bathtub. :eek: I wouldn't take my word for this unless someone else agrees with me.

I personaly wouldn't want any electrical within reach from a big vat of water that I'm submerged in. But if I did it would definitely be GFCI protected.

Can anyone tell me what a pendant is?

For what it's worth this Illustrated Guide is showing a hanging fixture as chain suspended. But that's just an illustration, not a definition.

[ May 15, 2003, 11:50 AM: Message edited by: physis ]
 
Re: bathroom lighting

A pendant is a suspended fixture by means of a flexible cord. It is just redundant classification of a hanging fixture.
 
Re: bathroom lighting

This is one of my peeves too.
I can't understand why wall fixtures in the Tub area are not specifically prohibited. No mention of GFCI protection either. I keep picturing bare bulb fixtures next to the soap dish and kids in the Tub.

:confused:
Bill
 
Re: bathroom lighting

Code technicalities aside, there are two very good reasond not to have lights near tubs.
First of all, it can be difficult to access the fixture to change a bulb.
Secondly, glass -say, from a broken bulb- is absolutely invisible under water. I don't like getting cut.
 
Re: bathroom lighting

Open bulbs in the bathroom around water should not be allowed as they will burst when water hits the hot bulb then you have broken glass everywhere. I never understood this (why this was allowed)
 
Re: bathroom lighting

Wayne have you sen the new recessed can bulbs that are listed for direct contact with water,these are used in place of a covered lense and a 40 watt bulb shower trim assy.
 
Re: bathroom lighting

What about the vanity lights when the vanity is located next to the jacuzzi? Alot of people want strip lights with bare G-25 bulbs. The NEC should just require all bathrooms to be GFCI protected.
 
Re: bathroom lighting

I agree with you Tim, I like the idea of the whole bathroom being protected by GFCI. Makes more sense than arc protecting smoke alarms.
 
Re: bathroom lighting

Allen, are you talking about the Progress trims?
They are a baffle trim with a gasket at the top and you use a standard outdoor flood bulb with them.
 
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