Shower Lighting

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gregoryelectricinc

Senior Member
I have always been of the mind that shower
lighting was recessed with wet listed
trims.....period. I have a wireman working for me that says
wall sconces are not prohibited per NEC 410.4.D
Code: 
 (D) Bathtub and Shower Areas. No parts of cord-connected 
 luminaires (fixtures), hanging luminaires (fixtures), 
 lighting track, pendants, or ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans 
 shall be located within a zone measured 900 mm (3 ft)
  horizontally and 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from 
 the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall 
 threshold. This zone is all encompassing and
  includes the zone directly over the tub or 
 shower stall.
I read this several times
and it DOES not specifically exclude wall
sconces. If wet-listed fixtures are used, have I been wrong all these years?

Jim
 
Re: Shower Lighting

I would think if fixtures mounted to an outlet box (wall or ceiling) were included in the intent of this section, then the Code would read "all fixtures" or "any fixtures" instead of naming different types.
In some commercial bldgs we have had wall mounted fixtures in the shower. They were mounted up high (by design) and spec'd as listed for wet locations. Not a problem.
 
Re: Shower Lighting

One thing I learned through training and experience is that electricity is no joke. To have a source of energy that with the flick of a switch, you have light. Not being safe and not treating it with respect, you end up dead.
If you consider yourself an electrician would you want wall sconce in your bathroom? Knowing what can-could-shall happen?
Again, the N.E.C. is the minium code required. That's when your experience kick in to comprehand that it would be a bad situation.
Go beyond the code and say; "I would never do it. " 410.4D should say wall mount, not just hanging fixtures. But really, think about it.
Be Safe, Peace.
 
Re: Shower Lighting

I do not believe there is a documented history of injuries or death assoicated with wall-mounted fixtures in shower or tub areas. If you plan on trying to make this a code issue, then you are going to have to come up with some serious substantial evidence that a true hazard is created by the installation, or the code making panel is not going to accept the proposal.
 
Re: Shower Lighting

Along this same line: Is an open trim on a recessed can acceptable if it is UL listed for wet locations? A local Juno dealer is selling these for use in a shower if used with an exterior bulb.
 
Re: Shower Lighting

If I understand the original post it would appear that the wall mounted fixture in question is located inside the Shower Stall or Tub Zone.

Just my opinion, if we read the statement below it would appear that a wall mounted fixture would be allowed providing the clearance is outside of the minimums, ie higher than 8 ft. The other issue I have with this would be the vertical clearance. If the fixture is inside the Shower Stall or Tub it would be less than the 3ft required by the following quote. I would like to think that we would all like to be safe when dealing with anyones life.

"(D) Bathtub and Shower Areas. No parts of cord-connected luminaires (fixtures), hanging luminaires (fixtures), lighting track, pendants, or ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans shall be located within a zone measured 900 mm (3 ft) horizontally and 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold. This zone is all encompassing and includes the zone directly over the tub or shower stall."
 
Re: Shower Lighting

bryan
Unfortunately you're right in that not enough people have been hurt or killed by a shower light for the code to change.
I could buy a wet location recessed wall light and install it down low in a shower say a foot above the floor and it would not be a code violation, BUT it would not be a very smart thing to do.
 
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