I am working for a builder that wants us to blank off the lighting outlets in all the bedrooms and stairways of 5 new houses. There is no switched receptacles either. Each room has a wall switch and ceiling J-box. I can see them getting away with the arguement "there is a lighting outlet in the bedroom". Maybe. But I can't see the inspector letting the stairway get by without an installed fixture. My favorite part of this is they are going to market the houses at over a million $ each.
required lighting outlets ?
- Thread starter acrwc10
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Massachusetts
acrwc10 said:
An inspector inspecting for NEC should let it go.
The CMP has stated that the requirements for illumination are addressed in other codes.
That said your builder may find there are building codes that require actual illumination not just an outlet in some areas.
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- Hospital Master Electrician
Click here for some related threads. 
brantmacga
Señor Member
- Location
- Georgia
- Occupation
- Former Child
I showed up to a job in an upscale neighborhood to trim out, and found a box full of blanks had been left by the lighting store. the decorator took the lighting allowance and used it for higher priced paint and extra trim work. she no longer decorates for that particular builder.
mdshunk
Senior Member
- Location
- Right here.
That's only happened to me once. I just sprang for the cheap plastic keyless fixtures from the supply house and lamps from the dollar store. In my case, it was for nearly every fixture in the whole house. Felt a little less wrong to do it that way. I pay a tad more for flush ceiling blanks then the cheap plastic keyless fixtures anyhow, so it was pretty much a wash money-wise.
- Location
- Massachusetts
tonyi said:
Where does it say I have to 'prove' anything?
Interesting...do you often use device boxes as lighting outlet boxes or do you use octagon boxes for garage door receptacles? :wink:
mdshunk
Senior Member
- Location
- Right here.
But how would you propose to compliantly use them in a flush application?tonyi said:
- Location
- Massachusetts
tonyi said:
Yes they do.
Do you use them?
Do you see ECs who rough new work (remember there is an inspection happening in this thread) rough with an octagon with the intention of placing a receptacle in it?
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- Hospital Master Electrician
I don't really understand the point of those. What are they primarily useful for?
mdshunk said:
I agree and asked about doing that, and was told "NO". I guess they think a cheap light looks cheaper then no light ???? "Penny wise and pound foolish"
As far as inspectors go we have combo inspections on these houses. One guy inspects it all except for the fire inspector who looks at fire sprinklers and smoke alarms.
I would blank them as the GC wishes.
As already stated, the NEC does not require fixtures on lighting outlets in most cases, and if you are not sure of any local building codes that do this will be away to have what ever local inspector that is calling for them show you an applicable code in writing that requires a fixture.
In my experience with upscale homes, picking fixtures is best left to the buyer.
Roger
As already stated, the NEC does not require fixtures on lighting outlets in most cases, and if you are not sure of any local building codes that do this will be away to have what ever local inspector that is calling for them show you an applicable code in writing that requires a fixture.
In my experience with upscale homes, picking fixtures is best left to the buyer.
Roger
roger said:
They do have a lighting allowance in my bid that would cover some sort of fixture that would not stand out as ''cheap''. We are also putting in exterior, bath, and dinning room fixtures. It just amazes me where people cut corners.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
I guess when the realtor has to show the house at night they will use flashlights.
- Status