switching location

[John@Matros]

Good afternoon all, anyone ever heard of an issue locating a switch OUTSIDE a door for the bathroom lights?

 

[Cold Fusion]

Following is a non-electrician, DIY opinion:

I did that once at a house I lived in.

I will do all I can to not do it again.

cf

 

[acrwc10]

Good afternoon all, anyone ever heard of an issue locating a switch OUTSIDE a door for the bathroom lights?

Is this because you have too many switches to put all of them in the bathroom? Or you think they can't be in the bathroom due to the location of the tub/shower?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Good afternoon all, anyone ever heard of an issue locating a switch OUTSIDE a door for the bathroom lights?

You could legally put the switch in the basement if you wanted to. The code does not specifically address where to locate switching for lights.

 

[raider1]

I agree with Dennis,

There is no code section that requires a switch to be located within the bathroom. If you so choose you could put the switch in the attic.

Chris

 

[Steviechia2]

There are requirements for light fixtures in certain area's of a dwelling but no requirements on where the switch goes

 

[Hendrix]

Good afternoon all, anyone ever heard of an issue locating a switch OUTSIDE a door for the bathroom lights?

I have done this many times for one reason or another.

 

[John@Matros]

Thanks Guys, thought so. As a FYI the entire bath is being uitlized as a steam shower and that would be the reason to locate a switch outside the door.

 

[charlie b]

There are, I believe, some local building codes that explicitly require that. I never understood why. I know I have seen that in many hotel rooms. I suppose there is something to be said for making sure the lights are on, before you step into the room, and not making the user feel around in the dark to find the light switch. But I don't agree with that philosophy.

For my part, and especially in the case of the master bathroom, I think it a matter of courtesy to enter the bathroom, close the door, then turn on the light (reversing the process on your way out), so as not to disturb any other person in the room with a sudden light in the face.

 

[zbang]

There are, I believe, some local building codes that explicitly require that. I never understood why.

IIRC, Massachusetts requires it, and ISTR seeing them outside the bathroom in other parts of New England. There probably was a decent reason at one time, and now nobody wants to change the code. Seems kinda silly to me.

 

[John120/240]

I would rather have all switches inside the bathroom. I can picture the kids
turning the lights off on little sister or brother.

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

I have seen it but never done it. If NEC was to add anything smart (not likely) It would be to say the switch needs to be in the room with the light with perhaps a few exceptions where that would not be safe.