PDA

View Full Version : ceiling fans in bathrooms



brianmiller
03-12-2011, 05:51 AM
The ceiling fan was located 12" away from the shower stall, but 8ft up from the floor. Doesn't the fan need to be 8 ft up and 3ft away?

thanks,

brian

Rick Cantrell
03-12-2011, 06:08 AM
Of course everything is dependent on the code that was in effect when installed.
This is from the IRC 2006
Bold added

E3903.10 Bathtub and shower areas. Cord-connected
luminaires, chain-, cable-, or cord-suspended-luminaires,
lighting track, pendants, and ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans
shall not have any parts located within a zone measured 3 feet
(914 mm) horizontally and 8 feet (2438 mm) vertically from
the top of a bathtub rim or shower stall threshold. This zone is
all encompassing and includes the zone directly over the tub or
shower. Luminaires located in this zone shall be listed for damp
locations and where subject to shower spray, shall be listed for
wet locations.

Jerry Peck
03-12-2011, 09:35 AM
The ceiling fan was located 12" away from the shower stall, but 8ft up from the floor. Doesn't the fan need to be 8 ft up and 3ft away?

To add some clarity to the question and the answer:

1) The closest part of the ceiling fan (tips of the blades) must be at least 3 feet horizontally from the edge of the shower stall.

2) The lowest part of the ceiling fan (the switch housing or light kit if there is a light kit) must be at least 8 feet vertically above the top of the shower curb (including the 3 foot horizontal measurement in 1) above).

Think of it this way: If you were to set a large box over the shower stall and rest it on the shower curb.

The box was 8 feet high, and the box stuck out 3 feet from the edge of the shower, the ceiling fan blades (ceiling fan, pendant light, etc.) would need to clear that box.

The ceiling fan blades could rotate 'over' that box, but if the ceiling fan blades were lower and the fan was turned on, the blades would hit that box - and that you are not be allowed to hit that box with anything. :)

Gunnar Alquist
03-12-2011, 11:33 AM
This has been posted here before.

Michael Thomas
03-12-2011, 11:40 AM
Jerry,

Did they ever get around to requiring GFCI protection on wall mounted fixtures?


http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b342/twoskinsoneman/4104.jpg

Jim Port
03-13-2011, 11:13 AM
Jerry,

Did they ever get around to requiring GFCI protection on wall mounted fixtures?




Unless required by the instructions there is no separate code requirement for GFI protection for the fixtures.