Light location in stairwell

[ronkepner]

Can light fixtures be placed in a basement stairwell on the side walls, is so at what height must they be off the steps?

 

[rcarroll]

The building code requires a clear height of 6'8". A handrail or a light fixture can't project more than 3.5" into the stairwell. You can install a recessed fixture any height.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Can light fixtures be placed in a basement stairwell on the side walls, is so at what height must they be off the steps?

As Ron has stated it is a building code issue not an NEC issue. You need to measure the clearance from the lowest projection of a fixture and to the correct spot on the thread below. I believe if you measure straight up from the end or bullnose of each finished tread and drew a line, then that would be the point of measurement. Nothing can hang below that point.

 

[jim k]

As Ron has stated it is a building code issue not an NEC issue. You need to measure the clearance from the lowest projection of a fixture and to the correct spot on the thread below. I believe if you measure straight up from the end or bullnose of each finished tread and drew a line, then that would be the point of measurement. Nothing can hang below that point.

Ron & Dennis are correct. For those who're interested, the International Residential Code Section is:

R311.5.2 Headroom. The minimum headroom in all parts of the stairway shall not be less than 6 feet 8 inches measured vertically from the sloped plane adjoining the tread nosing or from the floor surface of the landing or platform.

Handrails may project up to 4.5 inches on either side. Light fixtures can't project into the stairway at all unless they're above 6 feet 8 inches as described above.

- Jim Katen