Exterior Shower light

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by jhagarty

Are exterior fixtures required to be caulked in Florida?

Who cares,it would be dumb not to.Anyone here a code inspector ?

Best practice certainly could not be to allow water intrusion in to the substrate.

[Barry Adair]

Originally Posted by jhagarty

Are exterior fixtures required to be caulked in Florida?

nationally: all penetrations must be sealed with a compatible sealant as recommended by the stucco system manufacturer and required by model codes

strongly advised at all wet location penetrations through other bldg. materials also, but you knew this

[Joseph Hagarty, CMI]

So an Inspector in Illinois and Texas "Knows" that "Florida requires caulking of light fixtures" ....

Wondering what Florida Inspectors know about Florida requirements...

[Blaine Wiley]

AHJ passes them all of the time here without caulk, even on the brand new home yesterday that just got a CO. Since this is almost always stucco over cement block (never seen EIFS here) it isn't an issue for the wall.

That looks like a standard exterior fixture that would be mounted on just about any home anywhere in this area. I would not write it up as anything of concern. I probably see that type of installation on 8 out of 10 houses here.

The darn thing might even get some condensation on it if it's metal at various times of the year...

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by bwiley

AHJ passes them all of the time here without caulk, even on the brand new home yesterday that just got a CO. Since this is almost always stucco over cement block (never seen EIFS here) it isn't an issue for the wall.

That looks like a standard exterior fixture that would be mounted on just about any home anywhere in this area. I would not write it up as anything of concern. I probably see that type of installation on 8 out of 10 houses here.

The darn thing might even get some condensation on it if it's metal at various times of the year...

So because the AHJ says nothing that makes it all good?.

For crying out loud we have porches collapse and kill people weeks after approval of the AHJ around here so if you inspect you would just leave it be and not write up anything the guy approved?

They have no liability but you do.

[Blaine Wiley]

Tell me what the issue is, Bob. I've never seen any water in any fixture installed in this manner. I've never seen corrosion on the wiring connections. I've never moved a metal fixture after a rain storm and seen any moisture at all.

None of the outdoor fixtures at either house today were caulked. I can't even think of the last time I saw an outdoor light fixture caulked to the masonry. I do see it on frame construction, and would expect to.

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by bwiley

Tell me what the issue is, Bob. I've never seen any water in any fixture installed in this manner. I've never seen corrosion on the wiring connections. I've never moved a metal fixture after a rain storm and seen any moisture at all.

None of the outdoor fixtures at either house today were caulked. I can't even think of the last time I saw an outdoor light fixture caulked to the masonry. I do see it on frame construction, and would expect to.

The issue is that you need to keep out water intrusion to prevent brick and mortar damage along with associated spalling, efflorescence,not to mention insect entry.

http://www.chicagopropertyinspection...#1204833809332.

I suggest you make use of this info for the report.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by bwiley

Tell me what the issue is, Bob. I've never seen any water in any fixture installed in this manner. I've never seen corrosion on the wiring connections. I've never moved a metal fixture after a rain storm and seen any moisture at all.

None of the outdoor fixtures at either house today were caulked. I can't even think of the last time I saw an outdoor light fixture caulked to the masonry. I do see it on frame construction, and would expect to.

So water doesn't enter electrical penetrations in masonry but does enter the same holes in wood based sidings???????

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by jhagarty

So an Inspector in Illinois and Texas "Knows" that "Florida requires caulking of light fixtures" ....

Wondering what Florida Inspectors know about Florida requirements...

I agree with Bob. The top of all exterior light fixtures should be sealed. It's an NEC requirement. (Please don't make me look it up.)

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by lkage

Did you look to see if the luminary is marked "suitable for wet locations"?

Could that light be installed in an interior shower? What's the difference?

Is the circuit even GFCI protected? What's to keep someone from resting their hand on it while they fondle, I mean wash, themselves?

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

Could that light be installed in an interior shower? What's the difference?

Is the circuit even GFCI protected? What's to keep someone from resting their hand on it while they fondle, I mean wash, themselves?

This is what I see...

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

I would call it out as being within the shower area. Would you trust your life to a luminary made by the chicoms?

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

I would call it out as being in a restricted zone.

That type of fixture is likely permitted in the shower zone. There are a few factors here:
1-Forget the shower for a moment, is the location wet or damp?
2-Is it subject to shower spray?
3-Is it permitted in the shower zone?
4-Is GFCI protection required?

Answer:
1-If the location is wet then the fixture is required to be listed for wet locations. If it's location is covered by a roof then the location is damp.
2-IMO it is not subject to shower spray therefore if this is a damp location then only a damp location fixture is required.
3-Wall mounted fixtures are permitted in the shower zone if damp or wet listed. Wet location fixtures are required if subject to shower spray.
4-GFCI protection is not required for fixtures in the shower zone unless the fixture manufacturer requires it as part of the listing of the fixture.

[Jim Port]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

I would call it out as being in a restricted zone.

You did see that wall mounted fixtures are ok in the graphic above?

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by Jim Port

You did see that wall mounted fixtures are ok in the graphic above?

Larry's illustration shows the light outside the immediate shower area. That's not my interpretation of the OP's exterior light. You wouldn't be wrong to disagree. It's a judgement call.