lighting

[wireman1]

article 210 ( 70) A 2 B REQUIRES where ligting outles are required is a lite reqired at the entrance to a bilco door since it is a entrance at grade level

 

[rcarroll]

OK, I'm stupid. What's a bilco door? :?

 

[raider1]

In my opinion yes, if you can enter or exit the dwelling from the Bilco door.

This is a picture of a Bilco door.

Chris

 

[peter d]

Bilco is a brand name of a company from New Haven, CT. The generic term is bulkhead door.

 

[rcarroll]

Thanks for the heads up. Now I assume that it leads to an under floor storage room, or what I call a rat cellar. With or without equipment. IMO you would not need a light outside of the door, but you would need a switch near the door for a light in the cellar. 210.70(A)(3). This is a bigger version of a crawl space access from the outside, if you ask me. Please let me know if I'm wrong

 

[bphgravity]

I would think a door switch to a lighting outlet just above the door would be a pretty good idea. 8)

I don't see too many basements down here.

 

[infinity]

I would disagree that you can enter a Bilco door. These doors are designed to be locked with a bolt style lock on the inside only. They can not be opened from the outside.

 

[iwire]

I would disagree that you can enter a Bilco door. These doors are designed to be locked with a bolt style lock on the inside only. They can not be opened from the outside.

As the owner of one of these doors I agree. 8)

 

[charlie b]

I would disagree that you can enter a Bilco door. These doors are designed to be locked with a bolt style lock on the inside only. They can not be opened from the outside.

As the owner of one of these doors I agree. 8)

I disagree (always happy to do that! :lol: :lol: )

Their web site includes the following statement:

Optional keyed exterior lock kit available.

I will admit that the only reason I knew that is from having read another thread in the Forum. That thread asked if it was OK for a main panel to be in a basement area that could only be accessed from the outside, via a bilco door.

 

[iwire]

I disagree (always happy to do that! :lol: :lol: )

LOL :lol:

This is just not right, now I am not even right about things I grew up with and now own. :shock: :lol: :lol:

I have seen a lot of these doors and apart with a few that had padlock hasps 'hacked' onto them by a handyman I have never seen an outside latch.

Bob

 

[rcarroll]

I've never seen a door like raider1 posted. All I've seen are old wooden doors that go to a cellar. It's the only way in or out of these cellars. Would a light be required on the outside of this door be required? I think not. The OP didn't say whether or not there is more than 1 way into the basement or cellar.

 

[dlhoule]

I would disagree that you can enter a Bilco door. These doors are designed to be locked with a bolt style lock on the inside only. They can not be opened from the outside.

In terms of a switch being required; does this mean if I have a dead bolt on some other door I am not required to have a switch? :twisted:

 

[George Stolz]

That's goofy. So, I'm guessing that these are only installed where you can get into the house through the cellar? So this is only an exit to the house? :?:

210.70(A)(2)(b) For dwelling units, attached garages, and detached garages with electric power, at least one wall switch?controlled lighting outlet shall be installed to provide illumination on the exterior side of outdoor entrances or exits with grade level access. A vehicle door in a garage shall not be considered as an outdoor entrance or exit.

Even if it is only an exit, then it still requires an outdoor lighting outlet.

It can be either an entrance, or an exit, or both. In any case, if it's not a garage and you'd get in trouble driving a vehicle through it, it requires a light, IMO.

Just based on the text. 8)

 

[peter d]

George, we never put lights over these doors.

 

[celtic]

That's goofy. So, I'm guessing that these are only installed where you can get into the house through the cellar? So this is only an exit to the house? :?:

No silly.

These doors are *usually* used in tandem with an interior means to access the basement....

- but not always...sometimes they are the only means to enter a basement/cellar

.

Didn't you ever see the Wizard of Oz?
"Tornados a'comin...everyone to the storm shelter"

 

[iwire]

I would disagree that you can enter a Bilco door. These doors are designed to be locked with a bolt style lock on the inside only. They can not be opened from the outside.

In terms of a switch being required; does this mean if I have a dead bolt on some other door I am not required to have a switch? :twisted:

I think it is time we actually look at the code section that covers this. :lol:

210.70(A)(3) Storage or Equipment Spaces. For attics, underfloor spaces, utility rooms, and basements, at least one lighting outlet containing a switch or controlled by a wall switch shall be installed where these spaces are used for storage or contain equipment requiring servicing. At least one point of control shall be at the usual point of entry to these spaces. The lighting outlet shall be provided at or near the equipment requiring servicing.

IMO, generally the bulkhead door with or without outside latch is not the 'usual point of entry' to basements.

If that is the case no switch is required at the bulkhead.

Install one switch at the top of the stairs from the first floor level of the house and you have achieved code minimum.

However as Tom Baker points out an electrician that always wires to code minimums will not have happy customers.

 

[realolman]

Good Grief ... put a light over it. :roll: