Alexizoita
Member
- Location
- West Springfield ma 01089
Does 210.70-2c requires us to install 3 way switch at the bulk head door in the basement of a house ?
Does 210.70-2c requires us to install 3 way switch at the bulk head door in the basement of a house ?
So the questions you need to ask yourself (and maybe the forum) are:(2) Additional Locations. Additional lighting outlets shall be installed in accordance with (A)(2)(a), (A)(2)(b), and (A)(2)(c). (a)At least one wall switch?controlled lighting outlet shall be installed in hallways, stairways, attached garages, and detached garages with electric power.
(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.
(c)Where one or more lighting outlet(s) 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 outlet(s) where the stairway between floor levels has six risers or more.
So the questions you need to ask yourself (and maybe the forum) are:
1. Is the stairway down from the bulkhead door an interior stairway? If not, then (c) does not apply. My guess is that it does apply, since the bulkhead door separates the stairway from the outside.
2. If it is an interior stairway, and it has more than six risers, and you are lighting it by means of a general basement light run, does (c) require you to have a switch for that lighting just inside the bulkhead door (the "landing level that includes an entryway")? Possibly.
3. It seems to me that (b) only requires the presence of a light outside the bulkhead door, and does not say anything about where it must be controlled from.
My point is, the bulk head door is not a point of exit or entry, the switch at that stairs would be useless in my opinion.
First thing is it needs to be determined if this stairway is considered interior or exterior. Most of the type of doorways the OP is describing I personally would not consider to be an exterior door, and there usually is a door at the bottom of the stairs that would be considered the exterior door of the dwelling. The bulkhead is more of a safety and security feature as well as something that keeps the stairwell from filling up with leaves, snow, allowing heavy rains to enter, etc. The stairs AFAIC is exterior to the dwelling. But one may want an interpretation from their AHJ before making such assumptions.
Remember that the exterior entrance provision just calls for an exterior light, nothing about a switch or where it should be located, as long as it illuminates the entrance.Reading it as technical I would say you need an exterior light and switch, however around here not a single house has either.