closet light - storage closet

[bronxbruce44]

I am aware of the restrictions on lights in clothes closets. but this is a combined furnace room/storage closet, with shelves. i want to install fluorescent lighting (with plastic shields around the tubes) in this space. what restrictions apply to this application?

[Code Ace]

what restrictions apply to this application?

Well, we'd have to sort through an awful lot of code articles to address that question ;) , but the jist is that as long as clothes won't be stored in there then the added location restrictions of 410.8 are not enforceable by the AHJ. Good luck convincing him/her though. I usually need to show them that the blue prints clearly indicate that it is not a clothes closet.

[Wgoodrich]

If there are no clothes rods in this closet and the closet is obviouly a utility / storage type room but no clothes then no restrictions with lighting for clearances exist.

However it is a good idea still to avoid any shelving by maintaining a clearance of mininum 12" from front of shelf for incandescent or 6" if fluourscent. Does not matter if fluorescent is shielded or not.

Hope this helps

Wg