Bulb Guards - 2003 Code Residential Requirements

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williamsmithaud

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Can anyone advise if bulb guards are now required in residential attics and garages with exposed incandescent bulbs?

Also, what about tube guards for open fluorescent
fixtures in these locations?
 
Re: Bulb Guards - 2003 Code Residential Requirements

No requirment that I know of.
read article 410. Maybe your thinking of 410.8 which requires closed fixtures in clothes closets.
 
Re: Bulb Guards - 2003 Code Residential Requirements

410.5 Might apply: fixtures above combustible material shall be equiped with shades or guards....

Steve
 
Re: Bulb Guards - 2003 Code Residential Requirements

Steve
What code book are you reading from?
It seems you have combined parts of 410.5 with 410.6

410.5 only requires that combustible material is not subjected to temperatures in excess of 90?C (194?F). and if it is close enough to the fixture to get that hot it then has to be equipped with shades or guards. (In south Florida you don't need a lamp to do that) :D

410.6 is a whole different story. as it is for Lampholders installed over highly combustible material . And the fact that they cant be installed below 8' kinda leaves out the attic.

[ January 19, 2004, 11:54 PM: Message edited by: hurk27 ]
 
Re: Bulb Guards - 2003 Code Residential Requirements

I sell electrical products in the Dallas, TX area. One of my "contractor" customers told me such guards are now required in residential attics and garages. I've contacted the suburb city he referred to (Plano), but haven't heard back from them. He told me it came out of the 2003 NEC, and the that city of Plano had adopted it and is enforcing it.

I haven't been able to find it in the new code and just need help verifying it is true. I found it kind of hard to believe. I like to keep my customers informed, but only with things that are true. Maybe this came out of a building code. I don't have ready access to that.
 
Re: Bulb Guards - 2003 Code Residential Requirements

William
I like you already :D , the fact that as a supplier you only want to pass on relevant information is outstanding. Keep up with your search in the local jurisdiction to get the proper information, and if you can get it in writing.

Good Luck!

Pierre
 
Re: Bulb Guards - 2003 Code Residential Requirements

I just received a reply back from city electrical code enforcement folks. Here it is:

"Mr. Smith, First let me say there is no 2003 NEC. There are no requirements in the 2002 NEC for guards on lights in garages or in attics. If your contractor would like to discuss this I would be happy to talk to him. There also are no requirements in Plano for protecting these lights.If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 972.XXX-XXXX (Name Deleted)
ps could you e-mail me the name of the contractor?"

Glad I followed up on this. Don't know where my customer got this idea, but its one I won't pass along.
 
Re: Bulb Guards - 2003 Code Residential Requirements

Hurk:

That was a typo, I meant 410.6 If you read it again, you will see it says either
a. 8' above the floor OR
b. individually switched or
c. located or guarded so the lamps cannot be readily removed or damaged.

My attic has blown-in insulation made from recycled paper in it. Although I haven't tried testing this theory, I suspect this insulation is highly combustable.

Steve
 
Re: Bulb Guards - 2003 Code Residential Requirements

Steve If this insulation is highly combustible It would violate most building codes and I don't know how many fire codes. Cellulose insulation has to be sprayed with a flame retardant before it can be installed in any building, and is very acidic. It will smolder but wont break out into a full flame.
 
Re: Bulb Guards - 2003 Code Residential Requirements

Hurk:

You are probably right about the insulation. I know my house was cheaply built, but I wouldn't think filling the attic with "kindling" would be kosher. I may have to do an "experiment" to find out. (i.e. take a small amount of insulation out of the attic and put a ligher to it.)

However, I still think the lumber may be considered combustable. And in a garage, there is the possibility of fuel spilling on the floor or other combustables being present.

I'm not saying the code requires guards on these fixtures, but this article is at least something to think about in this case. I can easily imagine an inspector thinking this article applies.

Steve
 
Re: Bulb Guards - 2003 Code Residential Requirements

Steve
The key here is the wording of 410.6
over highly combustible material
Click to expand...
Wood does not ingite until 700 degrees F. and as far as spilling fuel this would not be a normal every day thing that a inspector could site. otherwise gas fired hot water heaters would not be allowed in a garage. An inspector cannot perdict the future nor can he base his codes on the furure. as to what might happen. I think 410.5 say's it better:
combustible material is not subjected to temperatures in excess of 90?C (194?F).
Click to expand...
 
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