NEC requirement for enclosed shower trim

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Bovolt

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I am trying to find the code section that specifically requires RC fictures
in shower stalls to have an enclosed lens cover
 
There requirement is for a fixture that is listed for a wet location if subject to shower spray. Otherwise it is only required to be listed for a damp location. If the fixture isn't going to get sprayed by the shower an enclosed lamp wet location trim is not required.
 
I recently had a new counter guy give me an open wet location trim (Lightolier) when I asked for a shower trim. I'm not aware of any rule that requires an enclosed trim in a shower, just a wet-location trim. I took them back anyway and got the enclosed trim because I'm happier that way.

Mark
 
cowboyjwc said:
If the water starts to mist and cool down, when it gets on that hot bulb you might wish you had an enclosed trim.
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Won't the resultant precipitation fall?
 
There is a builder that specs progress trims, The shower trim is almost identical to the standard trim.The difference is a foam gasket where the lamp holder attaches to the trim.Along with this shower trim they supply a coated lamp.It is rated as a wet location bulb and this set up allows a full wattage recessed bulb non enclosed trim to be used in a shower.I think phillips makes the bulb but I`m not sure.The inspectors freaked when we started using them.But after reviewing the trim and bulb listings they had no choice but to allow them.
 
infinity said:
There requirement is for a fixture that is listed for a wet location if subject to shower spray.
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And who gets to determine when shower spray comes into play. If you shower the water will certainly slash some so-- at what height as Larry asked, would it not come into play. NEC doesn't seem to address this issue-- or does the code mean when water hits the fixture directly?
I have never put an open can in the shower. I think it is a mistake especially with these hand held shower nozzles being installed. Water can easily hit the bulb and shatter it. IMO, its better to be safe then showered with glass.
 
I wouldn't really worry about the lamp exploding. IF this is a concern then you could use a PAR lamp. I have these all over the outside of my house that receive a direct hit form the rain. Even have a few tree lights with the PAR lamps aiming up into the rain, and at times they're buried in snow. Never had one explode.
 
infinity said:
I wouldn't really worry about the lamp exploding. IF this is a concern then you could use a PAR lamp. I have these all over the outside of my house that receive a direct hit form the rain. Even have a few tree lights with the PAR lamps aiming up into the rain, and at times they're buried in snow. Never had one explode.
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I understand I could do that but you know the HO probably will not change the bulb with a par lamp.
 
LarryFine said:
Does ceiling height come into play?
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I beleive the zone is 8' high by 3' wide, from the rim of the tub, that any fixture has to be wet location and non pendant or is it just non-pendant?

As to the open trims, if it is UL listed for the application....I have seen numerous open trims installed outdoors on porches. I did not think this was allowed either.
 
360Youth said:
I beleive the zone is 8' high by 3' wide, from the rim of the tub, that any fixture has to be wet location and non pendant or is it just non-pendant?
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Where did you get this info? What article?

360Youth said:
As to the open trims, if it is UL listed for the application....I have seen numerous open trims installed outdoors on porches. I did not think this was allowed either.
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Open trims are allowed outside on porches> I install them all the time, as long as the can is and trim are listed for damp location. Most of the halo recessed cans and trims that I am aware of are listed damp location.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I understand I could do that but you know the HO probably will not change the bulb with a par lamp.
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As other members have quoted in past if it is code at time of installation dont worry about the what ifs. I beleive there is a broan fan/light that has an open bulb set up and is listed for wet locations when using a par lamp. Not that I would do this but it is code compliant.
 
360Youth said:
Dennis Alwon said:
Where did you get this info? What article?

410.4 (D)
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I guess what I was asking was the dimension of 8ft and 3 ft does not mean it has to be wet location. The last sentence refers to any light fixture in the zone has to damp location listed unless it is subject to shower spray. An open recessed can can be acceptable over a shower because they are (can be) damp location listed. If it is subject to shower spray then it must be wet location listed. The question was being asked at what point above a shower does spray not come into effect? or how does one determine the spray zone?
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360Youth said:
I beleive the zone is 8' high by 3' wide, from the rim of the tub, that any fixture has to be wet location and non pendant or is it just non-pendant?

As to the open trims, if it is UL listed for the application....I have seen numerous open trims installed outdoors on porches. I did not think this was allowed either.
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There is no requirement that any fixture within the tub zone (8'X3') be listed for a wet location. A damp location fixture is permitted if it isn't subject to shower spray. I don't know about you but I have never sprayed the ceiling above my shower with the shower. Most of the time we simply install a wet location fixture since it eliminates any interpretation by the AHJ. But we have in the past had designers put fancy downlights over a shower within the 8x3 zone. Then it becomes the call of the AHJ to decide if the location is subject to shower spray. IMO most ceilings above a shower are not subject to spray from the shower.


Regarding porches, all that is required is that the fixture be rated for a damp location. This would cover many standard downlights.
 
infinity said:
There is no requirement that any fixture within the tub zone (8'X3') be listed for a wet location. A damp location fixture is permitted if it isn't subject to shower spray. I don't know about you but I have never sprayed the ceiling above my shower with the shower.

Tell that to Shaq. Tall people can repel high water pressure, Not likely, but how much of the NEC is likely??
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Dennis Alwon said:
360Youth said:
I guess what I was asking was the dimension of 8ft and 3 ft does not mean it has to be wet location. The last sentence refers to any light fixture in the zone has to damp location listed unless it is subject to shower spray. An open recessed can can be acceptable over a shower because they are (can be) damp location listed. If it is subject to shower spray then it must be wet location listed. The question was being asked at what point above a shower does spray not come into effect? or how does one determine the spray zone?
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As the owl would say, "The world may never know.":grin:
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