If you follow the news, you’ve probably seen this photo of Donald Trump’s chandelier. And the internet has been chattering about the chandelier in the bathroom.
Before we dive into the code, most of the time, the light fixtures you choose for your bathroom or any room is personal. But it needs to follow the local building code in order to be safe.
Most municipalities adopt the International Residential Code for most parts of a home, and the National Electric Code or National Fire Protection Association for the electrical system at a residence. And the image does show a potential code violation.
What’s the code for hanging a chandelier near a bathtub or shower?
Chandeliers and other lighting fixtures are restricted around a shower or bathtub. According to the National Electric Code (NEC) from 2020, there is a restriction for the placement of lighting around the wet area of a bathtub. The code is 406.9(C).
A lighting receptacle–outlet and light fixture–must not be placed within 3 feet of the rim of the tub or shower threshold, and it must be at least 8 feet above the rim of the bathtub or shower stall threshold.
What does the code mean for this image from Trump’s home?
From the image, it’s hard to confidently identify if the shower curtain is hiding a shower stall or a shower-tub combo. But the chandelier and the wall sconce look like are both within the 3 feet of the shower threshold or bathtub rim.
This is most likely a code violation in the municipality (if you are a code inspector, please send us a note so we can clarify this post.)
Why are there restrictions around hanging a chandelier in a bathroom?
What’s the reason for the restriction? You shouldn’t be able to change a lightbulb or grab the light fixture while inside the bathtub: standing, sitting, or otherwise.
If you want to hang a chandelier above a bathtub, you’ll need a taller than average ceiling. You’ll also need a light fixture that is rated for wet or damp locations.
And yes, local codes can be different. Always check with the local code office when in doubt about a chandelier over a bathtub. They can tell you which restrictions have been adopted in your town . They could be more stringent or less so.
But what about a chandelier over a toilet?
Even if the distance between the shower (or bathtub) and chandelier meets code, I’m wondering about the height of chandelier over the toilet. It looks like it’s about 6 feet off the floor surface.
So 6 feet tall is greater than the average height of an American man or woman. Men are about 5 feet 9 inches tall, and women are about 5 feet 4 inches tall.
For those taller than 6 feet, they will have a chandelier on their head when they stand in front of the toilet to pee. I suppose the toilet could be for just women and men who sit down (or just when they poop). However, without measuring it in person or having a few more images of the bathroom from different vantage points, it would be difficult to assess.
What do you think?
We’d love to know what you think about the chandelier over the toilet, and next to the shower. Please share in the comments below.
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