Luminaire in Elevator Pit

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charlie b

charlie b

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A client commented on a drawing package, say that since the elevator pit is sprinklered, all electrical components must be rated 4X. He went on to say that the luminaire, being a standard strip fixtgure with wire guard, did not satisfy that requirement. First of all, I don't believe NEMA ratings apply to luminaires. Secondly, I don't think the fact that an area is protected by a fire sprinkler system causes it to meet the definition of wet or damp area. Finally, the only requirement I could find was that if a luminaire is in a wet or damp area, it must be listed for that area. So I think this client is "all wet."

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charlie b said:
A client commented on a drawing package, say that since the elevator pit is sprinklered, all electrical components must be rated 4X. He went on to say that the luminaire, being a standard strip fixtgure with wire guard, did not satisfy that requirement. First of all, I don't believe NEMA ratings apply to luminaires. Secondly, I don't think the fact that an area is protected by a fire sprinkler system causes it to meet the definition of wet or damp area. Finally, the only requirement I could find was that if a luminaire is in a wet or damp area, it must be listed for that area. So I think this client is "all wet."

Comments?
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I will agree with you that an area protected by a sprinkler system is not Wet under the NEC.
Would the ground floor and basement of a building subject to flooding also be a wet area? Not in my opinion. :)
You just have to accept that there will be damage when a sprinkler is activated and using a dry or damp rated fixture in that case does not seem to me to be a particular safely hazard except to an elevator tech who is in the pit the time and started the fire. :angel:
 
charlie b said:
A client commented on a drawing package, say that since the elevator pit is sprinklered, all electrical components must be rated 4X. He went on to say that the luminaire, being a standard strip fixtgure with wire guard, did not satisfy that requirement. First of all, I don't believe NEMA ratings apply to luminaires. Secondly, I don't think the fact that an area is protected by a fire sprinkler system causes it to meet the definition of wet or damp area. Finally, the only requirement I could find was that if a luminaire is in a wet or damp area, it must be listed for that area. So I think this client is "all wet."

Comments?
Click to expand...

I think you are correct. Think about it. Is every sprinklered office area around the world now suddenly a wet or damp area? That would be a ridiculous conclusion.
 
Do they make a 4X smoke head? All lights I've ever seen are water resistant!

Is there a personal interest in the pit that the owner is not stating?
It just seems totally loopie!
 
I don't have an answer, but I do know I have been forced on the past few elevator pits to install fluorescents rated for wet locations "due to the elevator code." FWIW.
 
Fulthrotl said:
that was my first thought.... everything under a sprinkler head needs to be waterproof?

tell the customer to go soak his head... see if it meets classification.....
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As George pointed out, the NEC will not be the only code in play here, so be careful what you advise the customer to do. :)
 
GoldDigger said:
As George pointed out, the NEC will not be the only code in play here,
so be careful what you advise the customer to do. :)
Click to expand...

so... there is a specific section of a code preventing
me from telling a customer to go soak their head?

i had no idea. thanks... ;-)

this is distressing. i may have to quit contracting.
i just lost all my contract negotiating skills in one fell swoop.
 
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