flourescent strip light in a closet

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Re: flourescent strip light in a closet

Scott where did I blame it on the GC ??? I just said should we have to bear the cost !!! Well anyway the problem has been resolved,the GC went and added the tube guards to the light pack so the debate ends.At least as far as who should pay for them still in debate is should they be required at all IMO no but I can see his point.
How`s that for taking both sides of the fence :eek:
 
Re: flourescent strip light in a closet

About a year ago I was red taged for a fluoresent light in a closet to close to storage area. I QC'd the house so I was perplexed as to why. When I got to the house the tag said closet off the bounus room. It was a short closet built back into the attic but the ceiling of it was only about 5'9" And when I mesured the fixture the first time, I went by the 12" rule instead of the 24" under 6' The builder had installed a shelf with a rod under it so the inspector called it a clothes closet. I never cought the requirment that under 6' the storage space is 24" off walls. :eek:

But Allen I would present this problem to the GC since he bought the fixtures and tell him that the inspector wont allow them unless the lamps have covers on them then explain that if you supplyed the fixtures you use the wraped type and this would not have occured. That he needs to ether needs to clear this up with the inspector of supply the covers the inspector want's. That way the fight is placed upon his shoulders. :D
 
Re: flourescent strip light in a closet

Allen I was reffering to goldstars post regarding the GC. As for the problem being solved I tend to doubt that. When you cave to the whims of the inspector the problem is hardly solved. This will come up again. Wayne, what code does the inspector have to back up "what he wants"? Nothing, NOTHING pisses me off more than letting inspectors dictate their likes and dislikes with no legal backing whatsoever. Legitimate code issues fine but demanding something "he likes", no way.
 
Re: flourescent strip light in a closet

This guy has let alot slide a bay window area where it would be alost impossible to meet 12 ft spacing,almosy but to get there from here was a ridiculos senario he said forget it.So Gc has purchased the guards and ends we install for free and all is now status quoe :D
 
Re: flourescent strip light in a closet

If the guy is "letting alot slide" you have more problems than him. Shouldn't there not be anything to let slide? Psst hey buddy over here. I'll trade you two violations for closet light tube gaurds. We got a deal? :roll:

[ May 21, 2005, 07:50 AM: Message edited by: electricmanscott ]
 
Re: flourescent strip light in a closet

Not buying this at all. What about basements, garages, anywhere? If these lights are so dangerous why are they allowed at all.
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Scott, I wasn't trying to irritate anyone with my comments but it looks like I really hit a nerve. The issue in question isn't the light fixture it's the closet . Stop and think about this possible hazard scenario: you're attempting to put a blanket up on the top shelf of a small closet, you're looking straight up and suddenly you hit the unprotected fluorescent tube with the folded blanket and the tube explodes in your face. This is exactly what the inspector is trying to prevent. Installing these types of light fixtures in garages or basements where ceilings are open and higher doesn't pose the same type of problem. I don't believe this is an NEC issue but rather a building code issue. I can't cite the section but I will research it and post it on the forum when I find it.

By the way, Mass. doesn't have a lock on overzealous inspectors. Here in NJ we have several that are "south ends of north-bound horses", some of which were the worst craftsmen and code violators when they were contractors.
 
Re: flourescent strip light in a closet

allenwayne said:
This guy has let alot slide a bay window area where it would be alost impossible to meet 12 ft spacing,almosy but to get there from here was a ridiculos senario he said forget it.
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What about a floor box and duplex?
 
Re: flourescent strip light in a closet

Originally posted by goldstar:
The issue in question isn't the light fixture it's the closet . Stop and think about this possible hazard scenario: you're attempting to put a blanket up on the top shelf of a small closet, you're looking straight up and suddenly you hit the unprotected fluorescent tube with the folded blanket and the tube explodes in your face. This is exactly what the inspector is trying to prevent.
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Phil, that's not the point at all. :D

The point is, if this is a legitimate hazard, and the inspector can present a reasonable explanation of the hazard and how it can be avoided, he has every right to submit a proposal to the NFPA. If they agree, then they will add his opinion to the enforceable text of the NEC.

Until then, it's just an opinion and should not be enforced by the inspector. ;)

[ May 21, 2005, 01:26 PM: Message edited by: georgestolz ]
 
Re: flourescent strip light in a closet

George, I don't know how to put this.

Inspectors are not endowed with some presumed right to alter peoples property by virtue of their ignorance. Or any other "virtue" for that matter.

If an inspector wants to do something to a building that he or she does not own then they need a contractor's license.

And if they want to enforce building codes, that's ok too.

Edit: I'm not sure why I directed that at you George, I mean other than you were the last guy to say something.

[ May 22, 2005, 03:39 AM: Message edited by: physis ]
 
Re: flourescent strip light in a closet

Originally posted by tshea:
allenwayne said:
This guy has let alot slide a bay window area where it would be alost impossible to meet 12 ft spacing,almosy but to get there from here was a ridiculos senario he said forget it.
Click to expand...
What about a floor box and duplex?
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Yeah I guess he could have had us tear up the marble floor tear out base boards cut concrete and install a floor box.Just glad he said forget it :D
 
Re: flourescent strip light in a closet

Originally posted by allenwayne:
Originally posted by tshea:
allenwayne said:
This guy has let alot slide a bay window area where it would be alost impossible to meet 12 ft spacing,almosy but to get there from here was a ridiculos senario he said forget it.
Click to expand...
What about a floor box and duplex?
Click to expand...
Yeah I guess he could have had us tear up the marble floor tear out base boards cut concrete and install a floor box.Just glad he said forget it :D
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Allen, don't you rough in befor all that stuff is installed?
 
Re: flourescent strip light in a closet

George,

Your point is well taken and I agree that if this boils down to just an NEC issue, if it is not written in the code then it cannot be enforced. However, if it is a building code issue then it can and should be enforced.

My comments were from the standpoint of safety. If standard open tube fluorescent fixtures can be installed without a lens or tube cover inside a small closet then why not take the cheap and dirty way out and install a 25 cent bulb in a $1.50 keyless fixture ?

Phil,
Gold Star Electric
 
Re: flourescent strip light in a closet

Originally posted by goldstar:
George,

Your point is well taken and I agree that if this boils down to just an NEC issue, if it is not written in the code then it cannot be enforced. However, if it is a building code issue then it can and should be enforced.

My comments were from the standpoint of safety. If standard open tube fluorescent fixtures can be installed without a lens or tube cover inside a small closet then why not take the cheap and dirty way out and install a 25 cent bulb in a $1.50 keyless fixture ?

Phil,
Gold Star Electric
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The issue the code is addressing is not lamp breakage it is heat. An incandescent lamp is a different animal than a fluorescent in this regard. Safety is one thing but just because one person says something is unsafe does not mean that it is or is not. It is only that persons opinion. This is why we have the rules addopted. That prevents (or should prevent) one person from making things up as they see fit.
By the way Phil, your example of lamp breakage in the closet was pretty funny. A folded blanket? Maybe a box or something but a nice fluffy blanket causing a lamp to explode. A little dramatic.

[ May 22, 2005, 03:11 PM: Message edited by: electricmanscott ]
 
Re: flourescent strip light in a closet

Of course, there is that one code... :D

410.6 Luminaires (Fixtures) Over Combustible Material. Lampholders installed over highly combustible material shall be of the unswitched type. Unless an individual switch is provided for each luminaire (fixture), lampholders shall be located at least 2.5 m (8 ft) above the floor or shall be located or guarded so that the lamps cannot be readily removed or damaged.
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I think the key to this issue lies in the difference between the requirements of 410.6 and 410.8. Apparently, to the NEC, a lamp being struck in a clothes closet is not as large a threat as other locations. Apparently, a clothes closet does not contain "highly combustible material." :D

Scott wrote:
By the way Phil, your example of lamp breakage in the closet was pretty funny. A folded blanket? Maybe a box or something but a nice fluffy blanket causing a lamp to explode. A little dramatic.
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I've shot out lamps with a supersoaker, Scott. :D Never had a pillowfight? :D :D
 
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