Illuminated Stairway Switches

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mmandilk

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A fellow electrician said he was told interior stairway switches must be illuminated per NEC 2002(I assumed to the basement)I have looked through the code book and have not forund anything. Have I missed it or was he miss informed?
 
Re: Illuminated Stairway Switches

Illuminated switches for stairwells are not required per the NEC. See section 210.70(A)(2)(c).
 
Re: Illuminated Stairway Switches

Thanks Guys I looked there and thought it might be referenced in another location.
 
Re: Illuminated Stairway Switches

1207.2.1 Controls:
The control for activation of the required stairway lighting within a dwelling unit shall be operable from the top and bottom of each stairway without traversing any step of the stair. All switches that control interior stairway lights shall be illuminated switches. The illumination of an exterior stairway serving a dwelling unit shall be controlled from inside the dwelling unit, unless continuously illuminated or automatically activated.

This is the BOCA National Building Code, This is enforced on multiple dwelling units
 
Re: Illuminated Stairway Switches

Indiana uses the International Residential Code with the Indiana amendments to become the Indiana Residential Code. I don't believe you will find that language there. :D
 
Re: Illuminated Stairway Switches

Are the switches iluminated when the light is off or on? I don't think I've seen any of them, except the ones when the pilot light to tell you a light or whatnot is one...
 
Re: Illuminated Stairway Switches

Originally posted by midget:
Are the switches iluminated when the light is off or on? I don't think I've seen any of them, except the ones when the pilot light to tell you a light or whatnot is one...
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I would say they would illuminate when off so to lead an occupent to the switch location, but with a 3 way for stairs I would say they would just have a neon pilot light. I will check with the additions through Michigans links maybe they regulate it that way not NEC.
 
Re: Illuminated Stairway Switches

Posted by midget:

Are the switches iluminated when the light is off or on?
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The code section quoted by gregory doesn't say, does it. That may make it the most useless code requirement ever. :D

All switches that control interior stairway lights shall be illuminated switches.
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I think the intent is to have the switches illuminated in the dark, when the lights are off, so people can find them. They really should have added that in the code section :eek:
 
Re: Illuminated Stairway Switches

The code says

shall be illuminated switches
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I would interpret that to mean it either always has to be on or it has to be illimuninated when off and when on, the stairway lighting would probably pass as illuminating it.

a dwelling unit shall be controlled from inside the dwelling unit, unless continuously illuminated
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I don't have a copy of it but I think this part would conflict with California Energy Code.
 
Re: Illuminated Stairway Switches

I would interpret that to mean it either always has to be on or it has to be illimuninated when off and when on, the stairway lighting would probably pass as illuminating it.
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Thats an interesting way of looking at it. I think they really should have said "illuminated all the time" or "illuminated when the lights are off". But maybe they thought the concept of making the switch easy to find was so obvious and simple that it didn't need more elaboration.

Steve
 
Re: Illuminated Stairway Switches

they thought the concept of making the switch easy to find was so obvious and simple that it didn't need more elaboration.
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They probably didn't count on this forum analyzing it to death. :D
 
Re: Illuminated Stairway Switches

They probably didn't count on this forum analyzing it to death
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I was thinking the same basic thing. A Senate ethics committee probably couldn't find as many loopholes as this forum does :D
 
Re: Illuminated Stairway Switches

Everything is illimuninated .Unless they indicate candlepower or some other standard.So what if my eyes take 30 minutes to adjust. :D

[ December 02, 2004, 06:28 PM: Message edited by: jimwalker ]
 
Re: Illuminated Stairway Switches

Jim, you're just a trouble maker. It's an interesting point though. If ambiant light works, now you have to put a value on it. Uh oh, what about visual impairments. I think those little neon gizmos in the switches only make 40 or 50 photons a minute.

Not actually editted

[ December 02, 2004, 09:34 PM: Message edited by: physis ]
 
Re: Illuminated Stairway Switches

Originally posted by physis:
The code says

shall be illuminated switches
Click to expand...
I would interpret that to mean it either always has to be on or it has to be illimuninated when off and when on, the stairway lighting would probably pass as illuminating it.

a dwelling unit shall be controlled from inside the dwelling unit, unless continuously illuminated
Click to expand...
I don't have a copy of it but I think this part would conflict with California Energy Code.
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When you say the CODE Which one are you refering to? BOCA NEC or International Residential Code
 
Re: Illuminated Stairway Switches

You're right, I should have specified it's NOT NEC. This:

By Gregory:

1207.2.1 Controls:
The control for activation of the required stairway lighting within a dwelling unit shall be operable from the top and bottom of each stairway without traversing any step of the stair. All switches that control interior stairway lights shall be illuminated switches. The illumination of an exterior stairway serving a dwelling unit shall be controlled from inside the dwelling unit, unless continuously illuminated or automatically activated.

This is the BOCA National Building Code, This is enforced on multiple dwelling units
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Is what I'm refering to.

[ December 03, 2004, 05:21 PM: Message edited by: physis ]
 
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