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Closet light fire clearance (C) Daniel Friedman Guide to Closet Light Spacing, Fire Clearances, Fire Safety

Closet lighting design specifications & clearances: this article discusses proper lighting for closets and closet light spacing for fire safety.

This article series details guidelines for selecting and installing interior lighting to meet the requirements for different building areas.

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Closet Lighting Selection & Installation - Fire Safety Clearances

This article includes excerpts or adaptations from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction (Steve Bliss, J Wiley & Sons) , by Steven Bliss, courtesy of Wiley & Sons.

Due to risk of fire, the International Building Code and the National Electrical Code require that all fixtures installed in closets must be either surface-mounted or recessed and must completely enclose the bulb. Only incandescent or fluorescent lamps are allowed.

In addition, the fixture must be installed either in the wall above the door or on the ceiling and have the following clearances:

Watch out: Check with local code officials in your own jurisdiction for specific lighting and electrical safety requirements.

Lighting Options Update - 2012 IRC allows LEDs

4/12/14 Richard Ellis said:

Lighting options needs to be updated to reflect 2012 edition of IRC. Section E4003.12 Luminaries in Clothes Closets now allows:

Reader comment: 2012 IRC on Luminaries in Clothes Closets - update

(Apr 10, 2014) Richard Ellis said:
Lighting options needs to be updated to reflect 2012 edition of IRC. Section E4003.12 Luminaries in Clothes Closets now allows:

Reply:

Excellent point, Richard. Indeed we have been changing out to LED bulbs in a number of locations where the lower heat is a significant benefit in addition to longer life, such as not just closets but pot light that were forming natural heat loss chimneys in cathedral ceilings.

 

Resources: Manufacturers, Industry Associations, & Sources of Indoor Wall Materials, Flooring, Carpeting, Lighting, Sound Control Materials

Industry & Trade Associations for Lighting and Other Interior Components in buildings

American Lighting Association www.americanlightingassoc.com

- - Adapted with permission from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction (Steve Bliss, J Wiley & Sons) .


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