How well do you know the Code? Think you can spot violations the original installer either ignored or couldn't identify? Here's your chance to moonlight as an electrical inspector and second-guess someone else's work from the safety of your living room or office. Joe Tedesco, who has a knack for finding shoddy electrical work, did the dirty work and found this mess. Now it's your turn to identify the violation.
Answer:
The bottom line is recessed luminaires (fixtures) are not permitted to be installed in a pull-down stairwell. The requirements for installation can be found in Art. 410, Part XI [Special Provisions for Flush and Recessed Luminaires (Fixtures)]. As per 410.64, luminaires (fixtures) installed in recessed cavities in walls or ceilings shall comply with 410.65 through 410.72.
This photo was submitted by Joseph Hagarty of HouseMaster, Main Line, Pa.
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About the Author
Joe Tedesco
Tedesco served the industry in many roles during his career. He was a director, senior electrical code instructor for National Technology Transfer, Inc. and American Trainco, Inc.. He was also a codes, standards and seminar specialist for the International Association of Electrical Inspectors and an electrical field service specialist for the National Fire Protection Association in Quincy, Mass. He ran his own business as an NEC consultant and is a Massachusetts licensed master electrician and journeyman electrician and certified electrical inspector (one and two family 2A; General 2B, and Plan Review, 2C). Tedesco also wrote articles for CEE News and EC&M (Code Violations Illustrated and What's Wrong Here?) for more than 15 years and helped launched the Moving Violations video series.