# Light switch within 3 feet of shower **URL:** \ **Category:** Public Archive\ **Created:** [March 13, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/light-switch-within-3-feet-of-shower/174077 "2004-03-13T00:00:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/light-switch-within-3-feet-of-shower/174077/1 "2004-03-13T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: jgallant** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * I’m reviewing my copy of the “1 & 2 Family Dwelling Electrical Systems” now, but can anyone tell me what the rules are concerning the proximity of wall mounted light switches to showers and tubs. I thought a rule (NEC?) existed prohibiting wall mounted (fan, heater or light) switches from existing within 3 feet of a tub or shower enclosure. This to discourage wet people from operating 110v switches. * * * – -Jim Gallant Owner, All Point Home Inspections - Poulsbo, WA [www.allpointinspections.com](http://www.allpointinspections.com) Co-founder, ReportHost (Web-based report writing service) [www.reporthost.com](http://www.reporthost.com) ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/light-switch-within-3-feet-of-shower/174077/2 "2004-03-12T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: gbeaumont** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * Hi Jim, I know you are basically correct, I am not near my NEC tonight but If I remember correctly the distance from tub or shower to switch is actually 5 feet. regards Gerry * * * -- Gerry Beaumont NACHI Education Committee e-mail : [education@nachi.org](mailto:education@nachi.org) NACHI phone 484-429-5466 Inspection Depot Education [gbeaumont@inspectiondepot.com](mailto:gbeaumont@inspectiondepot.com) "Education is a journey, not a destination" ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/light-switch-within-3-feet-of-shower/174077/3 "2004-03-13T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: Mike Parks** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * No distance. Just not inside the shower “area”. Mike P. * * * ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/light-switch-within-3-feet-of-shower/174077/4 "2004-03-13T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: dvalley** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * The NEC doesn?t specify a distance, but all switches that control bathroom lighting should be installed at the entrance to the bathroom. Why would someone need a switch near the shower anyways? DUH ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/5/c/5c59ca193e03cd1c87cc4ffb7c1fa9e43d86d8b6.jpeg) There's only one switch that can be near water and that is the jacuzzi on-off switch. That particular switch is protected against water hazards. * * * -- David Valley MAB Member Massachusetts Certified Home Inspections [http://www.masscertified.com](http://www.masscertified.com) "Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/light-switch-within-3-feet-of-shower/174077/5 "2004-03-13T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: Bob Badger** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * | **dvalley wrote:** | | Why would someone need a switch near the shower anyways? | I have had to place them near the tub when the bathrooms where small. Did not want to, but that was what the plans showed. ![icon\_sad.gif](upload://nMBtKsE7kuDHGvTX96IWpBt1rTb.gif) * * * -- Bob (AKA iwire) [ECN Discussion Forums](http://electrical-contractor.net/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro) [Mike Holt Code Forum](http://www.mikeholt.com/cgi-bin/codeforum/ultimatebb.cgi) ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/light-switch-within-3-feet-of-shower/174077/6 "2004-03-14T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: roconnor** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * It is still considered better practice to place all switches and receptacles at least 3’ away from a tub or shower, and thats probably what you are thinking about … ![icon_idea.gif](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/3/0/309422f0446b04075fbe29afcd2c823a1faf03a4.gif) Gerry ... I believe you are thinking about the 5' clearance rule for switches and outlets related to outdoor pools and spas (IRC E4103.2) ... * * * -- Robert O'Connor, PE Eagle Engineering ? Eagle Eye Inspections ? NACHI Education Committee I am absolutely amazed sometimes by how much thought goes into doing things wrong ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/light-switch-within-3-feet-of-shower/174077/7 "2004-03-14T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: jpeck** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * | **dvalley wrote:** | | The NEC doesn?t specify a distance, but all switches that control bathroom lighting should be installed at the entrance to the bathroom. Why would someone need a switch near the shower anyways? DUH | Because, DUH, you may have a tub on the left of the door, the lavatory straight ahead, and the water closet to the right. You walk in, the switch is near the shower - but not IN the shower or tub area. All depends on which way the door opens. The switch COULD have been on the right if the door opened the other way. * * * -- Jerry Peck South Florida ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/light-switch-within-3-feet-of-shower/174077/8 "2004-03-15T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: dvalley** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/a/1/a10373b63a54df145959baba29b3469b1b615ec5.gif) * * * – David Valley MAB Member Massachusetts Certified Home Inspections [http://www.masscertified.com](http://www.masscertified.com) "Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/light-switch-within-3-feet-of-shower/174077/9 "2004-03-15T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: jgallant** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * The bathroom in question for me had two sinks with the shower adjacent to one of the sinks. A switch was installed for each of two light fixtures over the sinks (his n’ hers). One of the switches was right next to the edge of the shower enclosure. It wasn’t IN the shower enclosure, but inches from the edge. New construction too. I'm not sensing a consensus on this. * * * -- -Jim Gallant Owner, All Point Home Inspections - Poulsbo, WA [www.allpointinspections.com](http://www.allpointinspections.com) Co-founder, ReportHost (Web-based report writing service) [www.reporthost.com](http://www.reporthost.com) ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/light-switch-within-3-feet-of-shower/174077/10 "2004-03-15T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: jpeck** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * | **jgallant wrote:** | | I'm not sensing a consensus on this. | Code does not say not to put it there. * * * -- Jerry Peck South Florida ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/light-switch-within-3-feet-of-shower/174077/11 "2004-03-15T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: ekartal** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * The only thing I could find was that a receptacle is required within 3’ of basin. IRC [381.6]. Erol Kartal ProInspect * * * ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/light-switch-within-3-feet-of-shower/174077/12 "2004-03-16T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: Bob Badger** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * | **jpeck wrote:** | | | **jgallant wrote:** | | I'm not sensing a consensus on this. | Code does not say not to put it there. | I agree, the NEC allows the switch right next to the shower, the graphic above is correct. * * * -- Bob (AKA iwire) [ECN Discussion Forums](http://electrical-contractor.net/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro) [Mike Holt Code Forum](http://www.mikeholt.com/cgi-bin/codeforum/ultimatebb.cgi) ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/light-switch-within-3-feet-of-shower/174077/13 "2004-03-16T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: dvalley** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * Jim, Slide the curtain or shower door closed, if the light switch is inside this wet area, it's a "red flag". Pretty simple, no tape measure required.![](upload://2ubpHK3yn8KBPErH5FUvdHPsrJn.gif) * * * -- David Valley MAB Member Massachusetts Certified Home Inspections [http://www.masscertified.com](http://www.masscertified.com) "Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/light-switch-within-3-feet-of-shower/174077/14 "2004-03-16T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: Mike Parks** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * Dave I love your Emoticons. I have a four gang just outside of my master bath shower, which I wired, and see no problem with this. I doubt if my wife will reach from the shower to the switch to turn off the light above her. That said, this circuit IS GFCI protected. Mike P. * * * ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/light-switch-within-3-feet-of-shower/174077/15 "2004-03-20T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: roconnor** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * * * * – Robert O’Connor, PE Eagle Engineering ? Eagle Eye Inspections ? NACHI Education Committee I am absolutely amazed sometimes by how much thought goes into doing things wrong ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/light-switch-within-3-feet-of-shower/174077/16 "2004-03-20T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: Mike Parks** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * Robert Are giving me another 90.4 loophole? ![icon\_smile.gif](upload://b6iczyK1ETUUqRUc4PAkX83GF2O.gif) Mike P. * * *