3 way at bulk head door in basement

[Alexizoita]

Does 210.70-2c requires us to install 3 way switch at the bulk head door in the basement of a house ?

 

[Gregg Harris]

Does 210.70-2c requires us to install 3 way switch at the bulk head door in the basement of a house ?

(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.

 

[GoldDigger]

(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.

 

[Gregg Harris]

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.

I wouldn't think the stairs would be exterior and only require a light, that can be controlled from anywhere.

 

[Alexizoita]

3 way sw at the bulk head door

3 way sw at the bulk head door

I do agree that whenever you have a stairs, you must have a switch on each landing to control lighting fixture for it. However, the bulk head door can not be used as a entry, nor as an exit unless the person is a thief. The bulk head does not have a key hole to be operated on the outside, thus you can not get in to the basement. If you try to use it to get out, you can not secure it. 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.

 

[GoldDigger]

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.

Sounds good to me, but that does not change what the wording of the code is. An opening does not have to be lockable (or unlockable) from the outside to be an entry or exit.
There would still need to be an exterior light, but you may be able to get away without the separate switch for the interior lights using the same argument that allows you to omit a stair light switch for an attic floor that has no occupyable rooms or second exits. But I fear that the inspector might figure that you would need the light switch yourself. (For example if you left the bulkhead door unlocked during daylight hours and then came back to go inside after dark.)

If you have an outside light which is on and which lights the stairs when the door is open, you could get away with a basement light switch on the inside of the wall at basement level.

 

[kwired]

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.

 

[Gregg Harris]

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.

It is considerd an exterior staircase according to IRC and does require artificial alumination. R 303.6

 

[jaylectricity]

Exterior stairway, and I don't consider it "grade-level access". It's a hole in the ground. There is usually a door at the bottom of the stairs, so you don't access the building until you are below grade.

 

[mbrooke]

Reading it as technical I would say you need an exterior light and switch, however around here not a single house has either.

 

[GoldDigger]

Reading it as technical I would say you need an exterior light and switch, however around here not a single house has either.

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.
One street light on a pole at a farm may provide the illumination for all of the exterior doors of all of the buildings.