Fan required to turn on with light required by Code ?

[Scuba_Dave]

Regardless if there is a window or not. The idea of the exhaust being on a light is so that steam is exhausted to the outside when taking a shower (mold and mildew). The second reason to exhaust the odor. Like I said it is not in the NEC but is in the Building/Plumbing Code.

This is the 1st I have heard of this
I have never heard of it or been in any house or Apt where it is setup like this ?

Person stating it is in the same State as me - MA
Why would you want a fan on exhausting warm air in the middle of the winter if you are just brushing your teeth or hair ?

[frenchie]

I don't know who that quote is from, or which thread, but maybe ask them for the code reference?

AFAIK, you're right. Or would be, in NY.

The requirement for bathroom ventilation is in R303.3 - says you need an openable window, or a fan (20 cfm if constant, or 50cfm if intermittent). But it doesn't say anything about having to be on the same switch as the light. Not only that - in NY, the energy codes say it has to be on a separate switch.

[Scuba_Dave]

Thread on another forum

http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/finis...w-plans-59302/

I did ask for a code reference & he only stated it wasn't in the NEC (I never indicated it was)

He simply stated 2x:

It is a Building/Plumbing Code it is not in the NEC.

I knew you needed a window or fan, I have both
Every new house I see has 2 switches, fan is always on a seperate switch
I have 3 switches, one outside the door turns on the overhead light
One inside turns on fan, 2nd turns on the vanity lights

[jimbo]

It would not be in the NEC, and it would not be in the plumbing code. It might be in the building code. Around here, unless they have updated it, if there is a window, they do not require a fan.

[frenchie]

Do you have the Massachussets code? I know it's based on the ICC codes, as ours are, but states often amend the codes.

This is what 303.3 looks like in the NY State codes:

R303.3 Bathrooms.
Bathrooms, water closet compartments and other similar rooms shall be provided with aggregate glazing area in windows of not less than 3 square ft, one-half of which must be openable.

Exception:
The glazed areas shall not be required where artificial light and a mechanical ventilation system are provided. The minimum ventilation rates shall be 50 cfm for intermittent ventilation of 20 cfm for continuous ventilation.

I know some states have modified it to require ventilation, window or not. But this hooking it up to the light thing? ... Never heard of that.

[Scuba_Dave]

No, don't have the code book
I'm aware of the need for fan or a window to meet code
But never heard of having the fan come on with the light
Every newer house I have ever seen around here has a seperate switch
Even most older houses have been updated to seperate switches

[FloridaOrange]

I think the guy is talking (typing) out his posterior Dave.

[Scuba_Dave]

Yeah, that's what I am thinking
I know I can't cite code out of NEC without looking it up 1st
I was hoping he might be able to come up with some code reference
But unless something has really changed (and no-one knows about it) then I think he is a little mixed up

We actually need the added humidity in the Winter
House has dropped to around 40%...static electricity now
My son gets a kick out of that

[FloridaOrange]

We actually need the added humidity in the Winter
House has dropped to around 40%...static electricity now
My son gets a kick out of that

Trade you humidity. We hit below 60% maybe a couple times of the year. Usually it's anywhere from 85% to 100%.

You get to keep the snow though, deal?

[jimbo]

IF there were any code regarding this, which I can't cite, it would probably mandate SEPARATE switches as part of the energy issue...use the fan when needed without running lights!

[hj]

Many, if not all, commercial sites have the fan wired to the light. in small rest rooms, not the large ones with a continuous fan. One reason being that it keeps the fan from being left on when the light is off, which means there is no one in the room.

[Scuba_Dave]

Trade you humidity. We hit below 60% maybe a couple times of the year. Usually it's anywhere from 85% to 100%.

You get to keep the snow though, deal?

Ha !! There is a storm headed up the coast that may dump up to a foot on us
I'm hoping Ian gets buried with it & not us
I used to go to Florida ever year for vacation in early Spring

Checked & we are down to 30% this morning....cold front moving thru
It went down to about 7 around here last nite
Basement has dropped to just below 60