Switch on the Attic Floor

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mkgrady

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Massachusetts
Customer is requesting I install a switch on the attic floor to control the attic light. The switch would be at the top of the pulldown staircase in a surface mount handy box. I told him I thought it would be a trip hazard but he wants it anyway. Is it an NEC violation?
 
....at or near the point of entrance...

I like to put the switch on the wall near where you pull down the stairway (before you ascend). That said, I've seen the switch face up at the top enough times to agree that it is not a trip hazard.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Not at all. I install the switch at the top of a pull down stairs all the time.
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Article 210.70(3)--- a porcelain pull chain would suffice if it were accessible at the entry point.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I assume you don't mean on the actual floor of the attic.
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Yup, that's where he wants it. A handy box screwed to the plywood floor of the attic. The switch leg will run through the floor from the rafter space below. Does that change your mind about it meeting code?
 
Unfortunately I can't find any specific code on this. I would think that a switch mounted in the floor would have to be listed to be installed there. How can you protect the switch from damage. IMO, It's a NO-NO. Just put a 2x4 post attached at the rafters and toe nail to the floor. Run your wire on the post.
 
Recently an inspector told me no more mounting boxes horizontal in the attic. Not on top of A/C equip or the attic ceiling. "Switch must be up and down" were the words ,maybe it was on AHJ case tho... I could't find the reference for it .
 
Another case of the insp.taking liberties with the code. Why would anyone turn that down. The switch may fall out of the box???? Amazing

Article 404 says nothing about snap switches being mounted vert. or horiz.

Does this insp. think you cannot mount a switch horiz. under a window near the kit. sink????

I would ask for code reference on that one.
 
"floor " of the attic for storage? or the walkway to the HVAC (if there is one, that's a no-no)
 
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