Thread: Light switch proximity to entry door

How close are light switches require to be to the entrance of a bedroom door ? What are the codes ? TKS in advance

Unfortunately, the only code which addresses that is the code of common sense.

Originally Posted by Sam Morris

How close are light switches require to be to the entrance of a bedroom door ? What are the codes ? TKS in advance

No location requirement for a bedroom, just needs to have one. With something like you have in the picture I would just say it is poorly located and they might want to have it relocated for convenience.

The requirement is for a switch controlled lighting outlet or receptacle in the room. The switch location is not mandated as it is a design issue. The switch could be located in the basement near the panel if one so chooses and it would meet the code.

Originally Posted by Sam Morris

How close are light switches require to be to the entrance of a bedroom door ? What are the codes ? TKS in advance

Looks like a door swinging over a stairway?
Also when I see an odd switch location such as this, it usually meant a (remodel) change in the door location to alter the layout/use of the room.

In AZ.. The switch is required to be on the opposite side of the hinge.

Originally Posted by Dan Harris

In AZ.. The switch is required to be on the opposite side of the hinge.

Is there a requirement for the switch to be within a certain distance or just opposite the hinge side? Can you post the exact wording?

Originally Posted by Jim Port

Is there a requirement for the switch to be within a certain distance or just opposite the hinge side? Can you post the exact wording?

All boxes for switches should be located on the side of the door frame opposite the hinge.
Contractor should make necessary repairs.


This is a reply from a builder to a new home owner on a one year inspection last week..
The customers concern is , her 80 year old mother has to enter the room and turn the switch on that's on the back side of the door.

" There was also one item that we believe is not an issue. The report indicates a switch in the wall behind the hinge at the front bedroom. It is actually in a wall perpendicular to the door wall. The reason for this location was also due to the fact that we may not have the support necessary near the door since the modification indicates we framed for an additional door into that room. I included the mod sheet for reference. The challenge also is that there will be demolition and full repairs versus touch ups required to move the switch.

Originally Posted by Jim Port

Is there a requirement for the switch to be within a certain distance or just opposite the hinge side? Can you post the exact wording?

Originally Posted by Dan Harris

All boxes for switches should be located on the side of the door frame opposite the hinge.
Contractor should make necessary repairs.

Dan,

"All boxes for switches should be located on the side of the door frame opposite the hinge."

That is the exact code wording? Strange wording for being in a code.

Originally Posted by Dan Harris

All boxes for switches should be located on the side of the door frame opposite the hinge.
Contractor should make necessary repairs.

The picture as shown has the switch box opposite the hinge side.

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

Dan,

"All boxes for switches should be located on the side of the door frame opposite the hinge."

That is the exact code wording? Strange wording for being in a code.

It's the ROC. State Registrar of Contractors Workmanship Standards

I looked up Arizona building codes and found that building codes are adopted locally (that must really confuse contractors as there would be so many different variations of the codes) - anyway, Mesa, Arizona has adopted these codes (in addition to other codes, but these are for dwellings):
- IRC with the following amendments:
- - http://www.mesaaz.gov/clerk/codebook...F/T4/T4Ch3.pdf

- NEC with the following amendments:
- - http://mesaaz.gov/clerk/CodeBook/CodeinPDF/T4/T4Ch4.pdf

I may have missed it, but I did not see anything about the location of light switches in those codes.

Originally Posted by Dan Harris

Contractor should make necessary repairs.

.

You say the contractor should make repairs.
What do you base that on?

Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell

You say the contractor should make repairs.
What do you base that on?

I don't say it.
That's the quote/ wording from the ROC .. AZ Registrar of Contractors Workmanship Standards

Originally Posted by Dan Harris

I don't say it.
That's the quote/ wording from the ROC .. AZ Registrar of Contractors Workmanship Standards

http://www.azroc.gov/Acrobat/Public/..._Standards.pdf
Bottom of pg 19 and top of page 20

Originally Posted by Dan Harris

http://www.azroc.gov/Acrobat/Public/..._Standards.pdf
Bottom of pg 19 and top of page 20

How about starting at the top of Page 1?

(bold and underlining are mine)

INTRODUCTION


These standards cover performance of those construction items of major concern to the buyer for the first two years of ownership, unless otherwise specified. The contractor should stand behind the product, but the buyer should be responsible for owner-maintenance items. Contractor responsibility under these standards should not extend to items which have been subject to owner neglect, modification or abnormal use.

The effective date for the start of coverage of these standards should begin with the close of escrow, when the buyer occupies the structure, or the date of discovery, whichever occurs first or as otherwise noted.

Defects in appliances and plumbing and electrical fixtures properly installed by the contractor should be limited to the manufacturer's warranty.

These standards are subject to revision as methods of construction or materials used in construction continue to change. If there is any conflict between the workmanship standards and building code requirements, the latter should prevail.

RULE 4-9-108 WORKMANSHIP STANDARDS

A. A contractor shall perform all work in a professional and workmanlike manner.
B. A contractor shall perform all work in accordance with any applicable building codes and professional industry standards.
C. All work performed by a contractor in a county, city, or town that has not adopted building codes or where any adopted building codes do not contain specific provisions applicable to that aspect of construction work shall be performed in accordance with professional industry standards.

Note that "should" does not mean "shall" and that when "shall" is used, "shall" is used in relation to the building codes and "professional industry standards" and does not state that the work shall be performed in accordance with these standards nor does it state that the work shall be performed in accordance with "Workmanship Standards for Licensed Contractors" and that the "Workmanship Standards for Licensed Contractors" are NOT "professional industry standards" - the "Workmanship Standards for Licensed Contractors" are Arizona standards ... not industry standards.

Then what follows for definitions reads more like something for a home inspection report guide than a "Workmanship Standard for Licensed Contractors" in that someone is expected to be writing these things up:

DEFINITIONS


The following standards are expressed in terms of permissible tolerances. The format is designed for easy comprehension as follows:


PD Possible deficiency
A brief statement of the problem to be considered.


AT Acceptable tolerance
A statement in measurable terms above which repair may be required and below which the condition is considered to be acceptable. “None” means that the possible deficiency identified is completely unacceptable and no tolerance is allowed.


CR Contractor responsibility
A statement of the corrective action needed to correct the deficiency or damage.

Based on what I see, those are "recommendations" ... i.e., things that "should" be done ... while defaulting what "shall" be done back to the building codes - as it should be.

There are A LOT of things which "should" be done", and far fewer things which "shall" be done throughout life and business in order to live a "good life" and operate a "good business" with "good practices" for each ... but "shall" - if only that were true ...

Originally Posted by Dan Harris

http://www.azroc.gov/Acrobat/Public/..._Standards.pdf
Bottom of pg 19 and top of page 20

Page 19 is about painting, page 20 is about plumbing. The correct pages numbers are 13 and 14.

From the Definitions page:

PD Possible deficiency
A brief statement of the problem to be considered.


AT Acceptable tolerance
A statement in measurable terms above which repair may be required
and below which the condition is considered to be acceptable. “None”
means that the possible deficiency identified is completely unacceptable
and no tolerance is allowed.

CR Contractor responsibility
A statement of the corrective action needed to correct the deficiency or
damage.

From page 13: PD Switch located behind door.

From page 14: AT All boxes for switches should be located on the side of the
doorframe opposite the hinge.

Using the loosely worded reference materials from the enforcement agency leaves a lot to interpretation and dispute.

Originally Posted by Dan Harris

All boxes for switches should be located on the side of the door frame opposite the hinge.
Contractor should make necessary repairs.

The rule contradicts itself. A switch behind a door is listed as a possible deficiency, not an absolute that the "all switches should be..." should mean.

Again, the picture as shown meets all the vague requirements as set forth be the AHJ.

Also the CR is a stand-alone notation and not a continuance about the possible deficiency.

A fan light fixture, with remote control in a holder by the door Shall be an easy solution.

Originally Posted by Jim Port

Page 19 is about painting, page 20 is about plumbing. The correct pages numbers are 13 and 14.

From the Definitions page:

PD Possible deficiency
A brief statement of the problem to be considered.


AT Acceptable tolerance
A statement in measurable terms above which repair may be required
and below which the condition is considered to be acceptable. “None”
means that the possible deficiency identified is completely unacceptable
and no tolerance is allowed.

CR Contractor responsibility
A statement of the corrective action needed to correct the deficiency or
damage.

Using the loosely worded reference materials from the enforcement agency leaves a lot to interpretation and dispute.

You are correct on the pg #s I was taking the #s off of the PDF file..

I found what ever it takes to get a defect corrected by the builder works best for me and the new home owners.

To date anything disputed by the builder, the ROC investigator found the defect should be corrected and in favor of the customer , end result the builder corrected the defect based on the "loosely worded" ROC standards.

Even the standard says this is a possible defect, not an absolute. Either the builders are unwilling to question an inspector or just afraid of losing a sale.