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Home Decorating

Part II: What do you have hanging ABOVE your tub?

jewelisfabulous

8 years ago

If anything? Code is preventing us from having a chandelier because there's not enough space between the tub and the ceiling (one would think 9' ceilings would be tall enough, but no). So, all I have is a recessed pot light, but keep thinking there's some creative hanging item I could suspend there...

Featured Answer

Michael

8 years ago

410.10(D) Bathtub and Shower Areas. No parts of cord connected
luminaires, chain-, cable-, or cord-suspended luminaires,
lighting track, pendants, or ceiling-suspended
(paddle) fans shall be located within a zone measured
900 mm (3 ft) horizontally and 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from
the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold. This
zone is all encompassing and includes the space directly
over the tub or shower stall. Luminaires located within the
actual outside dimension of the bathtub or shower to a
height of 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from the top of the bathtub
rim or shower threshold shall be marked for damp locations,
or marked for wet locations where subject to shower
spray.

there are no exceptions.

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Comments (8)

jakabedy
8 years ago
I had to roll my chair back and look in there . . .

We have a small window on the long wall of the tub. The ceiling is the same as the rest of the house -- wood with vigas. There is a light/fan/heater unit centered in the ceiling, but nothing else. Of course this is a traditional tub and not a feature/garden tub of some kind.
Annie Deighnaugh
8 years ago
Nothing, now. I would think that a chandy over a tub can be an electrical hazard and in many places, it's not to code.

If you really want something hanging, how about an art mobile? Or you can do a candle-abra with candles instead of electrical light, or harking back to the 70s, a hanging plant.
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LynnNM
8 years ago

A toucan (LOL)! We couldn't hang a light fixture over our tub either. I've always loved those birds and when I found this toucan on a perch at Santa Fe's wonderful Jackalope Pottery, I knew right where to hang it.
ck_squared
8 years ago
Well, we will be having a chandelier hanging over our tub. It's the last thing that is going in and then our remodel is done! I can't wait.
jewelisfabulous
Original Author
8 years ago
Would love to have done that. Hate that codes are preventing it in my area.
monicakm_gw
8 years ago
Some people that have codes preventing them from putting a chandy over the bathtub, have all the necessary wires in the ceiling and then install the light fixture after the inspection. Just sayin' :) We don't have building codes in the country here so there IS a chandy over my bathtub and I've seen 100s of pictures on Houzz (on on hgtv) with the same. I'm not sure how it's a problem. If the thing came loose somehow and dropped, the wires aren't long enough to come anywhere close to the water in the tub. If someone was in your attic and cut the wires and unbolted the mounting, it might fall on your head but it won't electrocute you <g> I'm sure I'm missing something. But then again, in this crazy world, maybe not.
Annie Deighnaugh
8 years ago
I think they don't want you to be able to grab it while standing in a tub full of water...think of someone standing, slipping, reaching for something to grab on and pulling the light fixture down with them. Unlikely, I know, but it's possible if it's not high enough. In fact most likely it's happened. I mean, there's a reason they tell you not to put lit firecrackers in your pocket, or why our old woodstove had a label on it that said "Caution. Hot while in operation." If it's possible, someone's done it.

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