Thread: Code question on lighting.

IRC 3803.4 states lighting is required in storage and equipment areas.
It states under floor spaces, utility room and basements.
Does a walk in understairs closet qualifiy as an area needing a switched light fixture?
If so, what size does this area need to be, to qualiify as needing lighting?

Similar Threads:

• Code of ethics planned for property inspections - Stuff.co.nz
• Change to NAHI Code of Ethics
• Code reference for b-vent support
• Code Change
• Need help with code reference

Originally Posted by Dan Harris

IRC 3803.4 states lighting is required in storage and equipment areas.
It states under floor spaces, utility room and basements.
Does a walk in understairs closet qualifiy as an area needing a switched light fixture?
If so, what size does this area need to be, to qualiify as needing lighting?

Dan,

From the 2006 IRC. (underlining is mine)

- E3803.4 Storage or equipment spaces.

In attics, under-floor spaces, utility rooms and basements, at least one lighting outlet shall be installed where these spaces are used for storage or contain equipment requiring servicing. Such lighting outlet shall be controlled by a wall switch or shall have an integral switch. At least one point of control shall be at the usual point of entry to these spaces. The lighting outlet shall be provided at or near the equipment requiring servicing.

I would have to say that 'under-stair' is 'under-floor' as stairs are also walking spaces.

Also, that section initially states "Storage ... spaces", and that is a "storage space".

Yes, it needs a light - either pull-chain or wall switched.

I'd be inclined to say that lighting is optional .. especially if the 'under stair' cupboard is a small one, such as the one used as Harry Potter's bedroom.

Sure, it's a judgment call. Yet, size is relevant. After all, there are clearance issues with lighting - and it surely was not the intent of the lighting requirement to either introduce a hazard, or to render a storage space useless.

Also, staircases are often in habitable areas- where the 'storage lighting' requirement is absent. For example, there is no requirement that clothes closets have any lighting at all. In many cases, the lighting of the room is plenty to light up the closet as well.

Jerry...

Is there an NEC reference that correlates to the same IRC code?
North Carolina deletes that IRC section, defaulting (?) to NEC.

Dave

Closets are habitable rooms - lighting required.

Dave:

NEC 210.70(a)(3).

Aaron

Dave:

Try this, if it attaches. I've never tried to upload a file other than a picture.

Aaron

Aaron...

It worked.
Awesome !!
Thanks

Originally Posted by Richard Stanley

Closets are habitable rooms - lighting required.

Closets *are not* "habitable rooms".

Jerry:

Only for those who are light in the loafers . . .

Aaron

HABITABLE SPACE.

A space in a building for living, sleeping,
eating or cooking. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls,
storage or utility spaces and similar areas are not considered
habitable spaces.

So... you need to have a light in the under stairs storage space, but, not in a bedroom closet!!!

Aside the code ,if bedroom is habitable space and closet is in bedroom
Why closet is not habitable space.
some old houses dont have closets,not talking about lights

Originally Posted by Richard Stanley

HABITABLE SPACE.

A space in a building for living, sleeping,

eating or cooking. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls,
storage or utility spaces and similar areas are not considered
habitable spaces.

Originally Posted by Rob Pakula

Aside the code ,if bedroom is habitable space and closet is in bedroom
Why closet is not habitable space.

Rob,

Because for a space to be considered "habitable" that space must be large enough for "living, sleeping, eating or cooking", halls, closets, etc. are not large enough to serve as that use.

I know, someone will respond 'but I've seen closets which are lager than most bedrooms', yep, so have I, but they do not require any natural light, natural ventilation, or anything else required by habitable space.

Rob, to add to Jerry's excellent points. Look at the chicago code minimum sqft requirements per person for rooms and occupancy. Also if there isn't a closet it's not a legal bedroom, unless prior 1957