I inspected a 1974 SFR yesterday and there was a bath fan/light inside the shower which did not appear to be wet rated by looking at its design. There was a GFCI switch (no outlets) next to the toilet protecting this circuit.
If this fan is not wet rated, I don’t believe having the GFCI protection would be acceptable for this to be ok. Do any of you recognize this fan as being wet rated and/or do you believe this is acceptable with the GFCI protection if it isn’t wet rated? I do not.
The way I look at it is…I wouldn’t use a GFCI protected outlet in a shower
If the GFCI worked and cut the power to the fan and light, I wouldn’t mention it. However, I would recommend not changing the light bulb while taking a shower.
Above a shower or tub is an exclusionary zone for hanging fixtures and paddle fans. It extends out 3 foot from the edge of the area and to a height of 8 foot above the rim.
Above a shower or tub is not a wet location using the NEC definition.
My understanding, after review, is that the exhaust fan/light in my shower that I posted above IS allowed due to it being rated for “damp” locations, is not located in a “wet” location, and is not one of the excluded luminaires mentioned, correct?
I agree, it’s a damp location and almost all bathroom exhaust fans are damp location rated. GFCI protection is not required by the NEC for a fan in this location however the manufacturer’s instructions may require GFCI protection when iinstalled above a tub.
I fully concur!!!
It may become a most shocking experience if that circuit or those electrical devices are not protected with ground fault mechanisms, or at least an EMT and an ambulance at the ready!
Check mfg install instructions. Some of those fan/light assemblies are not permitted to be used inside the footprint of a bath or shower. (That all depends upon the manufacturer. Different manufacturers may have different ideas about it.)
