Need some good opinions

[Patrick Bolliger]

I would call it out!

Thanks Joe

Your expertise is needed and valuable to us.

I have some over the top electrical nightmare, burn the house down photos for you. Some days you just have to scratch your head and say OMG and WTF!


Pat

[Blaine Wiley]

I would like to know why the light would need to be GFCI protected.

I thought the original intent of GFCI protection was to protect you from a shock hazard when handling an appliance connected to a receptacle at a wet location.

How would someone be at risk from a fixture mounted in the ceiling under normal circumstances?

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by bwiley

I would like to know why the light would need to be GFCI protected.

I thought the original intent of GFCI protection was to protect you from a shock hazard when handling an appliance connected to a receptacle at a wet location.

Blaine,

It's not required, it's simply left to the discretion of the manufacturer.

The UL Standard does not require GFCI protection for luminaires used in the shower area.

[Blaine Wiley]

I know it isn't required, Dave. Some here have said they call it out if it isn't protected. I'm trying to pick their brains.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by bwiley

I know it isn't required, Dave. Some here have said they call it out if it isn't protected. I'm trying to pick their brains.

My Bad, Blaine.

Pick away.

[Patrick Bolliger]

Bare foot in a wet shower stall changing a light bulb... Wet hands changing a "dead" light bulb...with power to the fixture....

Leave it to a person who does not understand the basics about electrical safety.. Protect those from themselves... It's sad but thats part of the game..

I don't see them all the time with GFCI protection but what I do see are cases that just screams someone is going to get hurt... Yesterdays inspection just made me shake my head and say I hope I prevent a death in this place if I emphasize DANGER DANGER...

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by pbolliger

Bare foot in a wet shower stall changing a light bulb... Wet hands changing a "dead" light bulb...with power to the fixture....

Leave it to a person who does not understand the basics about electrical safety.. Protect those from themselves... It's sad but thats part of the game..

I don't see them all the time with GFCI protection but what I do see are cases that just screams someone is going to get hurt... Yesterdays inspection just made me shake my head and say I hope I prevent a death in this place if I emphasize DANGER DANGER...

So if you trip the GFCI and the light over the shower fails to trip...You write it up?

[Patrick Bolliger]

Depends on the inspection.

Sure I would love to call it out for every one but I am not Code inspecting, I suggest for added protection or safety they (client) should consider it.

New construction has it. Seen it City code guys says YES

Rehab...Not present...What ya mean permit.... 90 + jurisdictions around here...

DIY'er...No common sense install

I see just about any and every type of installation here from fans about 3 inches from your head in a shower stall to open incandescent bulbs in shower stalls (old original buildings)... Can't call it a code thing...only a safety suggestion..oh ya about that cloth wrapped wire ....

I had one place where the GFCI at the vanity cut's power off to both bathrooms in the place.

I have another one where the GFCI cuts power to the light in the shower and the vent fan..

I have some with TV sets in the wall next to the jetted tub with track lighting over head... Your call....

[Blaine Wiley]

Originally Posted by pbolliger

Bare foot in a wet shower stall changing a light bulb... Wet hands changing a "dead" light bulb...with power to the fixture....

Leave it to a person who does not understand the basics about electrical safety.. Protect those from themselves... It's sad but thats part of the game.

Do we have any statistics about how many people have been injured or killed changing a shower light bulb that wasn't GFCI protected.

[Patrick Bolliger]

Originally Posted by bwiley

Do we have any statistics about how many people have been injured or killed changing a shower light bulb that wasn't GFCI protected.

No sir

Probably not even on the radar.

I wish I had statistics of how many people have been killed by not having a GFCI at the kitchen counter or bathroom sink

[Blaine Wiley]

Originally Posted by pbolliger

No sir

Probably not even on the radar.

I wish I had statistics of how many people have been killed by not having a GFCI at the kitchen counter or bathroom sink

Well, even cynical sarcastic me can see the reason for having GFCI protection at a sink where electric devices are plugged in. Goodness, I'm glad I have them, I don't want my wife throwing the radio into the bathtub while I'm relaxing.

I just wonder how many things we need to do to protect ourselves from our own stupidity. If someone truly walks into a wet shower, barefoot and changes a bulb with wet hands and the power on...well...I'm not sure we want them in the gene pool anyway...

I suppose given the rare scenario, we should protect every receptacle and fixture in the home with both GFCI and AFCI.

[Patrick Bolliger]

I thought the NFPA / NEC and the NHAB were battling that one out.

Boy O boy do I have some pics for you Blaine..

I'll dig some up for you when I come back from the next inspection...
We'll see what this one has....

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by bwiley

I suppose given the rare scenario, we should protect every receptacle and fixture in the home with both GFCI and AFCI.

I believe that this will truly happen in the not-so-distant future.

[Rick K. Kie]

I inspected a house last week with a bulk head over the shower with a light that a 6' tall mans hair would touch the light fixture. (I called it out for not being GFCI protected) as a safety issue that should be changed in the near future.
The fixture itself could get energized and just touching the fixture inadvertently could electrocute you.

[Speedy Petey]

Originally Posted by rkie

The fixture itself could get energized and just touching the fixture inadvertently could electrocute you.

Explain to me how this can happen if the fixture is properly grounded.