Pendant light over tub - InspectionNews

fritzkelly · #1 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 03:18 PM

Is this light OK? It is about 7 feet from the bottom of the tub.
Would you consider that the windows behind the tub (about 18 inches back) should be tempered?HPIM3329.JPG

David Banks · #2 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 03:24 PM

Honey, your hot bath is awaiting you

No can do.

fritzkelly · #3 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 03:41 PM

Thanks David, I've been remiss about catching up on the postings!

Scott Patterson · #4 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fritz Kelly

Is this light OK? It is about 7 feet from the bottom of the tub.
Would you consider that the windows behind the tub (about 18 inches back) should be tempered?Attachment 5510

Window needs to be tempered or safety glass and the light needs to be 8' above the top of the tub, so I bet that it is OK.

This diagram might help.

fritzkelly · #5 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 04:19 PM

Got the light part. Scott, did you mean to say OK or NOT OK? Is there a certain distance from the tub for the tempered window to be required? There really wasn't a "tub surround" here.
BTW, I'm stealing your diagram.

David Banks · #6 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 04:36 PM

R308. Glazing
R308.1 Identification. Except as indicated in Section R308.1.1, each pane of glazing installed in hazardous locations as defined in Section R308.4 shall be provided with a manufacturer's or installer's label, designating the type and thickness of the glass and the safety glazing standard with which it complies, which is visible in the final installation. The label shall be acid etched, sandblasted, ceramic-fired, embossed marked, or shall be of a type which once applied cannot be removed without being destroyed.
Exceptions:
1. For other than tempered glass, labels may be omitted provided the building official approves the use of a certificate, affidavit or other evidence of confirming compliance with this code.
2. Tempered spandrel glass may be identified by the manufacturer with a removable paper label.

R308.4 Hazardous locations. The following shall be considered specific hazardous locations for the purposes of glazing:
1. Glazing in swinging doors except jalousies.
2. Glazing in fixed and sliding panels of sliding door assemblies and panels in sliding and bifold closet door assemblies.
3. Glazing in storm doors.
4. Glazing in all unframed swinging doors.
5. Glazing in doors and enclosures for hot tubs, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms, bathtubs and showers. Glazing in any part of a building wall enclosing these compartments where the bottom exposed edge of the glazing is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) measured vertically above any standing or walking surface.
6. Glazing, in an individual fixed or operable panel adjacent to a door where the nearest vertical edge is within a 24-inch (610 mm) arc of the door in a closed position and whose bottom edge is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above the floor or walking surface.
7. Glazings in an individual fixed or operable panel, other than those locations described in Items 5 and 6 above, that meets all of the following conditions:
7.1. Exposed area of an individual pane greater than 9 square feet.
7.2. Bottom edge less than 18 inches (457 mm) above the floor.
7.3. Top edge greater than 36 inches (914 mm) above the floor.
7.4. One or more walking surfaces within 36 inches (914 mm) horizontally of the glazing.
8. All glazing in railings regardless of an area or height above a walking surface. Included are structural baluster panels and nonstructural in-fill panels.
9. Glazing in walls and fences enclosing indoor and outdoor swimming pools, hot tubs and spas where the bottom edge of the glazing is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above a walking surface and within 60 inches (1524 mm) horizontally of the water's edge. This shall apply to single glazing and all panes in multiple glazing.
10. Glazing adjacent to stairways, landings and ramps within 36 inches (914 mm) horizontally of a walking surface with exposed surface of the glass is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above the plane of the adjacent walking surface.
11. Glazing adjacent to stairways within 60 inches (1524 mm) horizontally of the bottom tread of a stairway in any direction when exposed surface of the glass is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above the nose of the tread.

Fritz. See Hazardous locations #5.

Jerry McCarthy · #7 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 04:38 PM

Fritz, here's a couple of more you can steal. Hey, that's what we do here, steal, I mean borrow from each other. This is the only profession I know that helps in training its compitition.

Jim Robinson · #8 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 04:53 PM

Good question Fritz. I bet it would just come down to what your AHJ decides on that type of situation. The farther away the window gets, the less likely they would be to require it, but I don't think I've ever seen an actual number.

No go on the light, however. That's pretty clear cut.

Jerry Peck · #9 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 04:54 PM

David point this #5 out, but I am underlining the applicable part.

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Banks

5. Glazing in doors and enclosures for hot tubs, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms, bathtubs and showers. Glazing in any part of a building wall enclosing these compartments where the bottom exposed edge of the glazing is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) measured vertically above any standing or walking surface.

Rick Hurst · #10 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 04:59 PM

Thats a nice tub if you didn't have to put your legs in there.

rick

fritzkelly · #11 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 05:12 PM

Looks to me like it would be much better full of ice and beer.

Rick Hurst · #12 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 07:53 PM

This chandelier over the tub was high enough, but the light fixture was supported only be a ceiling fan support hanger at the ceiling joist.

Jim Robinson · #13 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

David point this #5 out, but I am underlining the applicable part.

I think we all get the traditional description for a tub enclosure and the need for tempered glass. What defines "enclosure"? If it is 6 feet away from the tub, I doubt anyone of us would consider it the tub enclosure. At 18", a lot of inspectors would. If there is a toilet or vanity sink in between, what would you call it?

Who decides what is or is not the "enclosure"? That's what I was talking about.

Jerry Peck · #14 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Robinson

I think we all get the traditional description for a tub enclosure and the need for tempered glass. What defines "enclosure"? If it is 6 feet away from the tub, I doubt anyone of us would consider it the tub enclosure. At 18", a lot of inspectors would. If there is a toilet or vanity sink in between, what would you call it?

Who decides what is or is not the "enclosure"? That's what I was talking about.

I would go with the traditional 36" horizontally found in other sections for hazardous locations - within 36" of a walking surface, measured horizontally.

That window looked to be within 36" horizontally of the edge of the tub, so I said "David point this #5 out, but I am underlining the applicable part.", and highlighted this part "Glazing in any part of a building wall enclosing these compartments " (and more).

No, 'that' code does not say 36", but 'other' code sections do address that 36" horizontal dimension.

Jim Luttrall · #15 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 10:22 PM

If you could fall while entering or exiting the tub and hit the window, that would be hazardous to me. If there is a clear walkway between the tub and the window, that would give me a little less apprehension. But the same standard as in other sections like Jerry said makes sense.

Jerry Peck · #16 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall

If you could fall while entering or exiting the tub and hit the window, that would be hazardous to me. If there is a clear walkway between the tub and the window, that would give me a little less apprehension.

Jim,

That's the reason for the 36" from a walkway/standing surface - with 36" horizontal distance between the walkway and the window, the risk of serious injury is greatly reduced, aka "less apprehension". Code is minimum and cannot remove all risk, just reduce the risk.

Quote:

But the same standard as in other sections like Jerry said makes sense.

The other sections are referencing 36" between the walkway and the window, with the tub, you are in the tub, thus a walkway between it and the window will accomplish the same goal by giving 36" between where you can stand and the window.

Nolan Kienitz · #17 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Hurst

This chandelier over the tub was high enough, but the light fixture was supported only be a ceiling fan support hanger at the ceiling joist.

Rick,

Just to "drift the thread" a tad. I really can't see the "accessible" panel for the pump/motor/plumbing for what I'm sure is H/T tub. ??

Jerry Peck · #18 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 09:02 AM

Nolan,

Don't know if they do this in your area, but where I inspected that type of installation would have an exterior access door in the exterior wall to access the pump motor.

Nolan Kienitz · #19 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 09:08 AM

Seldom any true "readily accessible" door or panel ... inside or outside.

Usually the common position is to 'remove the entire side wall' of the H/T tub. Cut the silicone, remove panel, etc., etc.. Makes it tough when the custom homes get the fancy tile, etc., etc.

One of those ongoing items that we are all blessed with.