Switch location

[rdawes]

Yesterday I inspected a new construction house. One bedroom had the ceiling light switch located outside the bedroom on a hall wall about 3 feet outside the bedroom door. There was no switch inside the bedroom for the ceiling light. Other than being weird and dumb, is this location wrong?

[gbeaumont]

Hi Ronald,

building codes (IRC/NEC) require a minimum of one wall switched lighting circuit IN every habitable space.

I would suggest that 3 feet outside of the space did not meet the requirements.

Regards

Gerry

[Joe Farsetta]

Ron,

gerry makes a point. However, if the home has a certificate of occupancy, then the appropriate AHJ has determined that the configuration is acceptable, and therefore not a defect.

Note it, without quoting a code requirement. You are not the AHJ. The municipality may allow it.

[gbeaumont]

Hi to all

Originally Posted by jfarsetta

Ron,

gerry makes a point. However, if the home has a certificate of occupancy, then the appropriate AHJ has determined that the configuration is acceptable, and therefore not a defect.

Note it, without quoting a code requirement. You are not the AHJ. The municipality may allow it.

Joe, there is also a second concideration beyond pure code, and that is a safety one, I don't believe that having the switch outside of the bedroom provides a safe lighted path, that is the intent of the regulation.

Regards

Gerry

[dbush]

In our area only one town (city) has an AHJ and no one issues a CO. They are not used. Therefore, what we tell most of them for safety purposes becomes even more important. I would and have called it out for being incorrect from a safety standpoint.

[Greg Fretwell]

You are not constrained by code. Your job is to point out things the buyer will be pissed about later. I say good call.

[Russel Ray]

I would submit that the lighting circuit actually is in the room, only the switch that controls the lighting circuit is outside the room.
I bet the AHJ allows it, but all I have to bet with is a margarita pie.
I also think it is dumb, dumb, dumb from a safety standpoint.
However, perhaps it's the kid's room, and when mom says, "Lights out," she means it--and has full control over it.
Perhaps she learned from her dad, who was in the military when she was young.