closet lights clearances, recessed lights ?

[Stevenfyeager]

With the closet light fixture clearances from shelving in mind, I've been installing recessed LED lights in ceilings as close to the closet door side as possible. This seems to be ok with inspectors. Have you been using these for closet lights ? Do these have different requirements than surface mounted lights ? Thank you

 

[Buck Parrish]

The surface mounted is 12 in clearence the recessed is 6. I think it changed to 12 in for both types. I'll have to get back to you on that.

Most times we install a strip light on the wall above the door unless it's a walk in closet.

 

[kwired]

410.16 addresses this. For recessed you need to be 6 inches from the defined "storage space" which is 12" or shelf width if greater than 12. That means if the closet is less than 18" deep you can not have a light at all, it will never be able to be placed far enough away. If it is exactly 18" deep your only option is recessed in the wall above the door.

 

[Leespark57]

There are some light fixtures which are listed to be installed per 410.16(A)(3), within the clothes closet storage space. This fixture is an example.

Small Space LED Luminaire with Motion Sensor | Engineered Products Company (EPCO)

Our Small Space LED Luminaire with Motion Sensor provides more usable lumens per watt, and is a reliable and sustainable LED lighting solution for ceiling lights in small areas.

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IMO, this fixture is allowed to be installed directly above the shelf with no limitations.

 

[hbiss]

According to 410.16(A)(3), LED lighting, a new technology with a very low heat source, is permitted in clothes closets if listed for closet use.

This from the 2011 handbook. When you stop laughing at how they describe LED lighting the rest of the section is appropriate, and probably even more so now.

-Hal

 

[bkludecke]

The surface mounted is 12 in clearence the recessed is 6. I think it changed to 12 in for both types. I'll have to get back to you on that.

Most times we install a strip light on the wall above the door unless it's a walk in closet.

X 2

 

[Ravenvalor]

Hello,

Does anyone know of a reliable and affordable light that meets the requirement of 410.16(A)(3) ?

Thanks

 

[James L]

Hello,

Does anyone know of a reliable and affordable light that meets the requirement of 410.16(A)(3) ?

Thanks

I've never used it, but seems ok.

Lithonia Lighting 18 in. White LED Motion Sensor Flush Mount Closet Light FMMCL 18 840 PIR M4 - The Home Depot

The 18 in. LED Closet Light from Lithonia Lighting is perfect for lighting small spaces like pantries, stairwells, closets, and small utility areas. This 18 in. white closet light provides a light output

www.homedepot.com

 

[Ravenvalor]

I've never used it, but seems ok.

Lithonia Lighting 18 in. White LED Motion Sensor Flush Mount Closet Light FMMCL 18 840 PIR M4 - The Home Depot

The 18 in. LED Closet Light from Lithonia Lighting is perfect for lighting small spaces like pantries, stairwells, closets, and small utility areas. This 18 in. white closet light provides a light output

www.homedepot.com

Thank you. It looks safe enough but I do not see where it states that it is 410.16(A)(3)

 

[James L]

Thank you. It looks safe enough but I do not see where it states that it is 410.16(A)(3)

410.16.a.3 has no requirement that the fixture packaging (or specs) has to reference that code section.

It simply says that the fixture has to be identified as suitable for use within a closet. That fixture is identified as suitable.

However, 410.16.a.3 also only references recessed and surface mounted fixtures. That fixture is flush mounted, which is not the same as surface mounted.

I can't seem to get very many people on board with my way of thinking on that, but surface mount is not a fixture that sits on the surface, but specifically one that it mounts to the surface. A flush box is not the surface

 

[augie47]

The manufacturers are good about stating their fixtures are approved for use in closets which is not the same as "approved for use in closet storage space". For many years there were very, very few that were approved for use in the actual storage space.

 

[James L]

The manufacturers are good about stating their fixtures are approved for use in closets which is not the same as "approved for use in closet storage space". For many years there were very, very few that were approved for use in the actual storage space.

The code doesn't say it has to be approved by anybody. It just says it has to be identified as suitable

 

[augie47]

Good point. Of course, like anything else it would need to be "approved" by the inspecting agency, but that does seem to be an interesting loophole. I guess one has to assume if it's "listed" the listing agency would allow the wording "suitable for storage space" if the product actually was.

 

[kwired]

Last I knew the most common thing that is listed to be in the storage space is some sort of lighted clothes hanger rod(s) or under the shelves type lighting systems and not so much anything that would mount on a conventional outlet box. Never installed any myself so not familiar with them.

 

[Malywr]

Last I knew the most common thing that is listed to be in the storage space is some sort of lighted clothes hanger rod(s) or under the shelves type lighting systems and not so much anything that would mount on a conventional outlet box. Never installed any myself so not familiar with them.

How about LED rope lights / under kitchen cabinets lights
Would be ok to install in clothes closet?

 

[James L]

How about LED rope lights / under kitchen cabinets lights
Would be ok to install in clothes closet?

I surface mount it in aluminum channel, on the wall next to the door trim. If it's identified by the manufacturer as suitable for use in a closet, then it's ok

 

[Malywr]

I surface mount it in aluminum channel, on the wall next to the door trim. If it's identified by the manufacturer as suitable for use in a closet, then it's ok

I have similar projects as OP. Snd closet has is 16’ wide with 2 door on opposite side (lamp above door would not be enough)
It has slanted ceiling and is tight inside
I taught about rope lights they could be bright. Don’t get hot and 12v. Construction id flimsy so maybe more ridged under cabinet lighting also 12v

 

[James L]

If you put your LED strip lighting in an aluminum channel with a diffuser (lens), it meets the requirement to have a completely enclosed light source

 

[Ravenvalor]

I surface mount it in aluminum channel, on the wall next to the door trim. If it's identified by the manufacturer as suitable for use in a closet, then it's ok

I will try this. Thanks to all for the great insight.

 

[kwired]

How about LED rope lights / under kitchen cabinets lights
Would be ok to install in clothes closet?

In clothes closet you have two different zones to consider, the NEC defined storage space and the remaining space. No luminaire goes in the storage space unless listed to go in there. Otherwise type of luminaire and whether it is flush or surface mounted can effect minimum distance they must be from the storage space. Exposed incandescent lamps are a no-go at any distance within the closet.