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  1. #1
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    Mar 2007
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    Default Entrance exterior light required?

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
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    Memphis TN.
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    Default Re: Entrance exterior light required?

    Quote Originally Posted by John Arnold View Post
    .
    Here's a basic question: Is an exterior light required at the home's main/front entrance?
    .
    Yes.
    .

    It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie! Our Gang " The Pooch " (1932)
    Billy J. Stephens HI Service Memphis TN.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Fletcher, NC
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    Default Re: Entrance exterior light required?

    Expanded basic answer: And not 'just' at the main/front entrance.

    From the NEC: (bold and underlining is mine)
    - 210.70 Lighting Outlets Required.
    - - (A) Dwelling Units.
    - - - (2) Additional Locations.
    - - - - (b) For dwelling units, attached garages, and detached garages with electric power, at least one wall switch–controlled lighting outlet shall be installed to provide illumination on the exterior side of outdoor entrances or exits with grade level access. A vehicle door in a garage shall not be considered as an outdoor entrance or exit.

    From the IRC:
    - E3803.3 Additional locations. At least one wall-switch-controlled lighting outlet shall be installed in hallways, stairways, attached garages, and detached garages with electric power. At least one wall-switch-controlled lighting outlet shall be installed to provide illumination on the exterior side of each outdoor egress door having grade level access, including outdoor egress doors for attached garages and detached garages with electric power. A vehicle door in a garage shall not be considered as an outdoor egress door. Where one or more lighting outlets are installed for interior stairways, there shall be a wall switch at each floor level and landing level that includes an entryway to control the lighting outlets where the stairway between floor levels has six or more risers.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    1,970

    Default Re: Entrance exterior light required?

    The entryway needs to be lit. The NEC does not say where the light has to be located. I think you could argue that a remote mounted light pointed at the door could satisfy the rquirement.

    All answers based on unamended National Electrical codes.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Fletcher, NC
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    Default Re: Entrance exterior light required?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Port View Post
    The entryway needs to be lit. The NEC does not say where the light has to be located. I think you could argue that a remote mounted light pointed at the door could satisfy the rquirement.
    One can argue almost anything ... heck, we do that here.

    I suspect that if the remote mounted light could, in any way, for any reason, intentionally or unintentionally, be moved/turned/pointed/etc in any manner which might not illuminate the entryway ... that argument would be lost.

    Then again, even if the remote mounted light could not be -see above - in any way, that argument could still be lost.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    Philadelphia PA
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    Default Re: Entrance exterior light required?

    Thanks. You guys are enabling my laziness.

    "There is no exception to the rule that every rule has an exception." -James Thurber, writer and cartoonist (1894-1961)
    www.ArnoldHomeInspections.com

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Memphis TN.
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    Default Re: Entrance exterior light required?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jerry Peck View Post
    .
    One can argue almost anything ... heck, we do that here.
    .
    .
    What?

    This well versed , thoughtful input , gentile conversions ?.
    .

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  8. #8
    Robert Meier's Avatar
    Robert Meier Guest

    Default Re: Entrance exterior light required?

    Funny thing is a lighting outlet is required at the door to provide illumination but the switch can be located anywhere even the basement.


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Comer, GA
    Posts
    26

    Default Re: Entrance exterior light required?

    I recently OK'd a motion sensor for a soffit mounted spot to illuminate an exit/entrance stair on a fire repair, where a "sunroom" with a newly vaulted ceiling and a concrete slab floor and brick walls did not give sparky a reasonable path to feed a switched light. BTW there was no landing, just brick steps leading to entry. It sucked but it was existing.


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