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Thread: Hot Shower

  1. #1
    Donald Merritt's Avatar
    Donald Merritt Guest

    Default Hot Shower

    I found these electrical panels behind a mirror hanging on the wall in a vacant house. Wondered why someone would leave the mirror.

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Rockwall Texas
    Posts
    4,521

    Default Re: Hot Shower

    Mirrors are common in the bathroom.

    Question is why would someone install the panels in a bathroom?


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    1,828

    Default Re: Hot Shower

    That's easy, That was an added mother in-law suite. Can you blame him?
    Now the question is, did it work?


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Columbus GA
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    3,747

    Default Re: Hot Shower

    Maybe those subpanels were fead by a GFCI fuse from the main panel.

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  5. #5
    Richard Abrams's Avatar
    Richard Abrams Guest

    Cool Re: Hot Shower

    Panels were probably there first before the room was made into a bathroom. Bad Homeowner job.


  6. #6
    John Steinke's Avatar
    John Steinke Guest

    Default Re: Hot Shower

    While, according to current rules, you are not allowed to have a panel in the bathroom, I don't know when this requirement was introduced. I seem to recall it being in the late 60's.
    If my memory is correct, considering the age of the equipment, this very well might be a legal arrangement.

    Also please note that ... a bathroom is not a bathroom unless there is a sink in there. If this were a stand-alone shower room, even the current NEC rule would not apply.

    One might try to extend switch and receptacle rules to keep the panel outside the actual shower enclosure .... the goal is worthy, but the logic a bit weak.

    Let's face it: some things are so basic as to be self-evident, and one seldom sees a rule against them. For example, I'm pretty sure there's no law specifically against stepping in front of a speeding locomotive.
    In a situation like this, the 'enforcement' comes in an indirect way, as prospective buyers use this 'improvement' to LOWER the value of the property.


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    The Treasure Coast
    Posts
    241

    Default Re: Hot Shower

    Also please note that ... a bathroom is not a bathroom unless there is a sink in there. If this were a stand-alone shower room, even the current NEC rule would not apply.
    I would suspect that there is a sink there. I see in the bottom of the picture what appears to be either a soap dish or a toothbrush holder.

    I would write it up as a safety issue. Having a fuse panel that close to the shower can't be good. Not to mention, they may not be able to get homeowners insurance due to the presence of fuses and, that most likely, the shower/bathroom wasn't permitted.

    Eric Van De Ven Magnum Inspections Inc. (772) 214-9929
    www.magnuminspections.com
    I still get paid to be suspicious when I got nothing to be suspicious about!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Hot Shower

    Quote Originally Posted by John Steinke View Post
    Let's face it: some things are so basic as to be self-evident, and one seldom sees a rule against them.
    Well said. "some things are so basic as to be self-evident, and one seldom sees a rule against them"

    Codes do not address "stupidity".

    As is frequently pointed out ... HIs "are not code inspectors", which is a positive in that as, *not being* a code inspector allows the HI to call out "stupid" things which are "self-evident" and for which there is no rule against them.

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

  9. #9
    Jeff Remas's Avatar
    Jeff Remas Guest

    Default Re: Hot Shower

    I don't see a problem. This makes it very convenient to change a fuse if one blows while you are taking a shower


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