[rant on]
Oh, for crying out loud!! This situation is another example of the Code being out of touch with reality!!
Most walk-in closets are bigger than the average bathroom!! Yet the all-knowing, all-seeing bloody Code allows recessed lighting in a bathroom!!
[rant off]
Given the description of the room and ceiling dimensions by texassparky, both my friend the local AHJ and I agree..put the recessed lights in, right down the middle of the room, maintaining a minimum 36" clearance from the shelves/cabinets and call it a day.
First, I'd try to educate her about the fire danger.
What danger in the scenario the OP has? Seems if standard design is followed for the walk-in, the nearest a fixture would be to anything is at least 4 feet. This is based on the 12' width and I'm accounting for 2' deep cabinets.
His take on the deal was that the lamps did not present a fire risk, as they were on a 10' lid and up the middle, well away from the (completely boxed in) clothes cabinets, and they were also recessed.
Funny, almost word-for-word on my AHJ's take on this subject. Nice to see another AHJ who has common sense.
Bold following added by me:
A closet is not a closet is not a closet.
We are supposed to be professionals. In part, that means that we are aware of "closet fire hazards" and we are able to make decisions as to if such a hazard exists or not.
I see no hazard in this case.
Well said!!
The size of a room does not designate what type of room it is. The prints will clearly designate the type of room.
and:
Get a copy of the plans, cross out the word "closet" whereever it appears, ans write "dressingroom."
Size matters not. Just ask Yoda.
And yes, the prints
should clearly designate the type of room. The idea of crossing out the designation on the as-builts wouldn't fly, BUT, if the plans originally designate the room as most anything
other than a closet...guess what? The recessed lights are legal and should be allowed.
Again, the Code needs to get into step with reality. But realistically, as was discussed here before, that would make the Code even more bloated, as it cannot possibly cover every situation.
That's why one must hope the AHJ is a person of reason and good judgement.
(My experiences so far show that most of them are.)
edited to fix html
[This message has been edited by mxslick (edited 01-24-2007).]