As a home inspector I know that often things are missed or not done because of various reasons, some of it just human error some of it is you don’t know what you don’t know.  

In a recent conversation with a specific organization I did a home inspection for I brought up an item that was missing during the final inspection and recommended its installation. I was met with a bit of a curious response, “Well we passed our final and we have done X- number of homes and this has never come up.” My response was we are all human and we all miss something but it does not change the fact that it is required and should be installed.  I was again met with some resistance with the person basically saying, since they passed final they are done.  I was hired due to a bank requirement and yet they did not seem to care for this information. I was thinking as an organization that builds homes why do you not want to do what is right and be open to correcting items that are missed that are required? The codes are minimum standards.

This leads to a very recent inspection where there was some work done outside the normal permitting and building process. The building in question went from being a detached garage only to a residence with an attached garage. Change of purpose creates a change in the requirements.

There were several items that are required that were missing. One such item was required lighting at all exterior exit doors.  Lighting is to be provided for illumination at exterior exit doors for safety.

A little nuance to the requirement, there was an deck installed with a staircase to grade. Since this was a newer home, circa 2010 to 2014 (built over that  time period), it was most definitely becomes a requirement. If there was no stairs this may not have been required because of no access to grade.

So it started me thinking when did lighting at exterior doors first become required?

The first specific lighting requirement that I can find shows up in 1975 NEC (National Electrical Code). Prior to that we had a calculated lighting load based on occupancy. For residential (Dwelling Units) this load requirement was based on 3 watt per square foot. This could be achieved by using receptacle outlets. There was note in the electrical code stating that all receptacle outlets of 15 ampere of less could be used for the general illumination requirements.

Here is the first specific requirement for exterior lighting outlets.(Bold and underline is mine)

210.26 Lighting Outlets Required

(a) Dwelling Unit(s)

At least one wall switch controlled lighting outlet shall be installed in every habitable room; in bathrooms, hallways,stairways, and attached garages; and at outdoor entrances.

A vehicle door in an attached garage is not considered as an outdoor entrance.

Where we are today from the 2014 NEC-

210.70 Lighting Outlets Required

(A)(2)(b)Additional Locations.

For dwelling units, attached garages, and detached garages with electric power, at least one wall switch–controlled lighting outlet shall be installed to provide illumination on the exterior side of outdoor entrances or exits with grade level access. A vehicle door in a garage shall not be considered as an outdoor entrance or exit.

“Codes are minimum standards and most houses are built by the lowest bidder”

Don Hester

If you find any errors or have additional information that would expand on any code, building standards or manufacture requirements please let me know.

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…  

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If you find any errors or have additional information that would expand on any code, building standards or manufacture requirements please let me know.