Lighting in a closet

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kellygirl

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My husband and I are contractors in New Jersey, we have a homeowner that's drive us crazy.

I checked with my electrician and he is telling me that it is not a code requirement to have a light in a closet. But the homeowner is now citing this code and trying to tell me that that means she has to have a light in her closets:

6.26(m) and 6.27(d) Electrical Equipment and Wiring
At least one switch controlled lighting outlet shall be provided in every bathroom, hallway, stairway, attached garage, detached garage with electric power, and to illuminate outdoor entrances and exits.

Am I missing something? It doesn't say closets???

Thanks in advance!
Kelly


Thanks in advance!
 
Re: Lighting in a closet

I have no idea what code that is but it seems to clearly leave out closets.

As does the NEC.
 
Re: Lighting in a closet

Every room has to have provision for lighting as well. I have heard that some jurisdictions require lighting in walkin closets, considering them to be seperate rooms.
 
Re: Lighting in a closet

Originally posted by petersonra:
Every room has to have provision for lighting as well. I have heard that some jurisdictions require lighting in walkin closets, considering them to be seperate rooms.
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No doubt some require that, the NEC use the term Habitable Rooms but gives no defintion of what that is. :roll:
 
Re: Lighting in a closet

It is not NEC code,if thats what your asking.Perhaps you have a local code.Where did you find those code numbers as they are not NEC.Now if the print used to sell or build this home showed a closet light then you likely will need to give it to him.I will say that i can not recall ever seeing a walk in closet with no light.So if there is no local codes or light on print i would buy him a roll of string for his new kite :D

[ June 12, 2005, 09:30 AM: Message edited by: jimwalker ]
 
Re: Lighting in a closet

New Jersey electrical code is statewide and is currently under the 2002 NEC. As far as I know it does not allow local amendments.
 
Re: Lighting in a closet

Originally posted by kellygirl:
The homeowner found that code from the NJ Rehabilitation Subcode??
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It seems like the NJ Rehabilitation Subcode pretty much lifted it from the NEC

NJ Rehabilitation Subcode
6.26(m) and 6.27(d) Electrical Equipment and Wiring
At least one switch controlled lighting outlet shall be provided in every bathroom, hallway, stairway, attached garage, detached garage with electric power, and to illuminate outdoor entrances and exits.
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2002 NEC
210.70(A)(2) Additional Locations. Additional lighting outlets shall be installed in accordance with (a), (b), and (c).

(a)At least one wall switch-controlled lighting outlet shall be installed in hallways, stairways, attached garages, and detached garages with electric power.
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Re: Lighting in a closet

NEC 2002 Page#70-255 Section 410 "Luminaires (Lighting Fixtures),Lampholders,and Lamps.
Article 410.8 Luminaires (Fixtures in Clothes Closets)*see figure 410.8 also
________.
NEC 2005 Page#70-255 Section 410 "Luminaires (Lighting Fixtures),Lampholders,and Lamps.
*same as the above
 
Re: Lighting in a closet

Dillon you know those sections do not require a light to be installed in a closet anymore than 410.6 requires us to install Fixtures Over Combustible Material.

Those sections simply tell us how we can install in those locations if we choose to. :)
 
Re: Lighting in a closet

iwire,your correct sir.Misread intention of thread posting..

There is no general requirement in the "insisting of"..in the NEC,of that section.

Pointing out requirements, if one is installed in closet.

Totally misread this posting.. :eek: Still early yet..

[ June 12, 2005, 10:29 AM: Message edited by: dillon3c ]
 
Re: Lighting in a closet

Also I would note that the rehab code is very restrictive in where it can be applied. Most of time it wouldn't apply to a normal installation.
 
Re: Lighting in a closet

Originally posted by kellygirl:
The homeowner found that code from the NJ Rehabilitation Subcode??
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Rehabilitation Subcode: Appendix I Electrical Summary of Electrical Subcode Requirements

No where in this code does it state that a closet light is a requirement...the code does state:
6.26(m) and 6.27(d)Electrical Equipment and Wiring

1) All enclosed areas, other than kitchens, basements, garages, hallways, closets, laundry areas and bathrooms shall have a minimum of two duplex receptacle outlets.
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...the rule removes a closet from general outlet requirements - with no mention of the lighting.
The above quote is the only mention of "closet", in regards to electrical equpiment.


Here is a good article on the Rehab Code:
Rules That Make Sense?New Jersey?s Rehabilitation Subcode


The entire Rehab Code is available here: http://www.state.nj.us/dca/codes/rehab/images/uccrehabsubcode.pdf (requires the Adobe Reader to view, free at adobe.com)


IMHO, the HO is misinformed here.
 
Re: Lighting in a closet

Thank you all for your input. Normally we would put the closet lights in, but because of other issues with this homeowner using up their allowance of recess lights upstairs in their new bedrooms and they now have no lighting left in the contract for the rest of the house which was gutted. Their feeling is that because there used to be lights there we should have to put lights back in at our cost. I keep explaining that if the had not used up all the recess lighting they would have had lighting for downstairs. But it's like talking to wall and now I am so angry about them thinking we should just do stuff for free, I REALLY don't want to give them closet lights. It's becoming quite a battle and the homeowner just finds things on the internet to throw at me. My electrician had cited the code about how closet lights have to be placed but had said that they were not required.
Again thanks so much for your input!
 
Re: Lighting in a closet

the house which was gutted
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Does a house that was gutted even fall under the rehab code? I don't think so. Sounds like the homeowner from hell. Hope that you have everything in writing.
 
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