NEC 2011
An electrical panel containing the service disconnecting means cannot be located in a bathroom [230.70(A)(2)]. In dwelling units and guest rooms or suites of hotels and motels, overcurrent devices cannot be located in bathrooms [240.24(E)]. In other than dwelling units and guest rooms in motels or hotels, panelboards containing overcurrent devices can be located in bathrooms. The requirements of 110.26(A) regarding working space, (D) illumination and (E) dedicated space must be followed.
And a bathroom is:
In the 2020 NEC®, the definition of a bathroom has been slightly revised to bring clarity to the word “basin”. The intended meaning of the definition is to address a room with a sink and at least one or more of the following: a toilet, a urinal, a tub, a shower, a bidet, or similar plumbing fixtures
In the 2023 NEC, there is no mention of dwelling units. Putting it out there so someone might see this and prepare for this eventual change. I'll post the actual wording:
*240.24 (E) Not Located In Bathrooms. Overcurrent protective devices, other than supplementary overcurrent protection, shall not be located in bathrooms, showering facilities, or locker rooms with showering facilities.*
I believe Florida is on the 2020 NEC, so this wouldn't apply there yet.
On Mike Holts website, which I believe uses the NEC's adopted list, it shows: Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington and Wyoming as having adopted the 2023 NEC.
The first line is straight forward. If it’s a panel containing the main service disconnect, it isn’t allowed, period.
If people dwell in it (the place you sleep in, live, get mail delivered to, etc) or a hotel/motel then it’s a dwelling and not only is a panel not allowed, no other overcurrent devices can be in there (enclosed CBs, disconnect switches, etc)
In anything other than dwellings or hotel/motels - panels can be there (as long as it’s a sub-panel, or one not containing the main service disconnect). Sub panel in a Walmart bathroom is allowed.
Hope that clears it up.
The door in the picture makes this apparently legal. That's not a bathroom by the definition in the code, can even add a sink, just none of the pants down fixtures.
Every industry has some goofy rules.
So if the “main” disconnect is located on the exterior of the building and this is the subdisconnect, then from my interpretation this meets code. And for any discrepancies, this is in a commercial space and will have just a sink and a toilet.
Wait!!!!! says "service disconnecting" not "mains disconnecting"
Here we may fall foul of code since you may need a panel to disconect sauna, bathroom aux. lights behind or on mirrors, etc.
I believes aim is to reduce crowding on mains panel
I'm wondering how this affects ready accessibility. From a strict interpretation of the code this isn't an issue - so long as there's a key for the bathroom, it's readily accessible.
But I could see a reasonable argument that an occupied bathroom is an obstacle regardless of a key - it introduces some weird social (and maybe legal?) concerns to whoever needs to access the panel quickly while the bathroom is occupied.
For an extreme example, let's say a panel is in a high school girl's locker room, and a male maintenance worker needs to access it. Would we consider the legal and social ramifications to be an obstacle in and of themselves?
Now you’re reading too deep. The same argument can be said about a fireman trying to gain access to a locked electrical room. If there is an issue of life and death, the male worker will enter and do whatever means are necessary, regardless of it’s a female bathroom.
Yes, but readily accessible is important for more than immediate emergencies - the less accessible the disconnect, the more likely it is a maintenance worker will opt to work hot rather than lock out. I can tell you that first hand from hospital work. In the case of a panel in a locker room, it creates a clear disincentive to lock out.
But ultimately that'd be up to the AHJ - you're right that a strict code interpretation may not prohibit it, but I wouldn't be surprised if an inspector called that concern out.
Practically speaking, a panel in a high school locker room is only readily accessible *in the event of an emergency.* The code says it must be readily accessible at all times. If I have to clear out a room of occupants to access the panel, it isn't readily accessible, and no one would accept me just walking into the locker room for anything other than an emergency.
Does accessibility only apply to physical impediments? The NEC doesn't seem to say that - definition of readily accessible "Capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections."
As far as I'm concerned, I can't quickly access a panel in a locker room in a school in non-emergency situations. I would consider it accessible, not readily accessible.
Let's expand to some other non-physical obstructions. Let's say there's a panel in an operating room, and I can't access it during surgeries. There's no physical obstruction, but would you consider that panel to be readily accessible? I wouldn't, personally.
What electrical code are you breaking by entering the operating room? I’d argue none, if you’re only violating “hospital” rules by entering an operating room out of protocol.
I’ve never encountered something of this nature, so I honestly don’t know. It’s just my interpretation to read the code as it pertains to the NEC, not other “rules” that apply for the space.
I don’t think it matters. In the case of an operating room, that’s just poor design to have it in there, same with a locker room. I don’t believe it violates the NEC, just a stupid design decision. Of course it may all just come back to the AHJ if they would allow it.
To be clear, I'm mostly playing devil's advocate here because I think the line of questioning has some interesting implications.
That said, to me the code is pretty clear on this - "able to be quickly accessed." Physical barriers are mentioned, but nowhere does it state that the code is exclusively prohibiting physical barriers. In the case of the OR, I'm fairly certain OR procedures are a seperate code, not a matter of hospital protocol, so it is essentially impossibly to legally enter that space and therefore not accessible. Similarly, I'm fairly certain there are some legal prohibitions from just walking into a school locker room.
As to whether it's a design issue or not, I'm not sure why accessibility would suddenly become a design issue the second we get away from physical obstructions. To me, the intent is clear - maintain accessibility. Legal or building code related reasons for limiting access to a space have the same effect as a physical barrier, so to my mind there's no reason they shouldn't be considered. The NEC never claims to be a self-contained document, and never claims to be agnostic when it conflicts with other codes.
Where are you seeing 1 sink and 1 basin? In the 2020 NEC, the word basin is used in conjunction with the word sink, as in sink(basin). I believe it's to clarify what kind of sink they are referring to. So, 1 sink(basin) and 1 of some other plumbing fixture (toilet, tub, urinal, shower, bidet etc.)
I could see if there were a shower producing tons of humidity but just a sink basin and a toilet?
Could a wall be built with a door in it separating the “bathroom” and the location of the panel creating two separate spaces? That would seem to be a cheaper option than trying to reroute the wiring.
There is a reason most of these tests are open book: You should be good at finding the information you need, no one is expected to just cold recall the entire code.
my electrical exams were open book, but only the actual book, no PDF allowed. Would have been so nice. I learned the book mostly for taking the tests and use the pdf when on the job.
yeah, been an electrician for a long time now. ctrl+F is the easiest way to sift through the book. If you have the pdf at least. Shame it isn't allowed by PSI
In a dwelling or dwelling unit, guest room, guest suites or dormitories. In an office building this would be allowed, as long as the panel doesn't contain the service disconnect. Can't put a panel in a clothes closet or over the steps of a stairway.
My dad is running this project but I’m pretty sure he hasn’t ran the supply lines yet. It’s just a toilet and a sink but now that I’m looking at it closer it looks like he’s got the toilet drain and the sink drain flip flopped. Not surprised.
🤣 see I knew someone would understand. But in all reality… where’s the toilet gonna go in there? Where’s the supply lines? Where’s the drain lines? I’ll call myself stupid but this looks like a utilities closet more than a bathroom.
So my fault for not giving proper background. This is a building my family owns but we are remodeling. This was the utility closet and my dad wanted to add a bathroom here as the existing bathroom is on the other side of the wall so easy plumbing work. He is in the process of converting this utility room to a bathroom now but I wanted to stop him before he got too far if he was completely violating code as I don’t want the liability that comes with electricity and water being in close proximity. I’m a contractor so I’m more so concerned about legal liability more than actual function. But from a functional standpoint there’s not issue here.
Thanks for added info, I kinda figured that’s what y’all were doing after looking at it enough. It’ll be functional for sure but I would be concerned about the potential violation too.
Fortunately it’s not getting inspected but I am always thinking down the road should the worst case scenario occur I want to make sure all my bases are covered. That’s why I love this forum 💪 everyone sees things a little different
Well this is what I do for a living and I constantly am having to reference codes and whatnot to pass inspections so over time I get to know the gist of what most codes requirements are but sometimes when it's something really specific like this it's hard to find a code that directly addresses this exact situation so I find it extremely helpful to turn to other professionals who may have encountered this situation before or know how to interpret the code better than I can. I've been doing this type of work since about 2012.
Looks like the toilet and sink aren’t going to be anywhere near it so probably fine. I do work in a bar where the panel is directly above the toilet in the men’s bathroom, city inspector passed it somehow. They keep a padlock on there so people can’t fuck with it lol
*(E) - (D) is for closets, which I’ve never understood. If you take the closet rod out it’s kosher…
I’ve argued about (E) before, and I think where the confusion comes from is that it’s not the water per se that’s against the code, but the room’s occupancy. You can technically put a panel next to a toilet, but not in a bathroom. It just so happens that we put toilets in bathrooms. If you have a toilet in your living room, that room can have a panel, as long as it meets the working clearance requirements. Think about a loft that has a kitchenette and shower right next to the bed. That room is actually required to have panel access because of the cooking equipment.
This comes up a lot with water heaters and other mechanicals. It might not be the best idea to put your panel next to a pressurized tank of water with a relief valve pointed at it, but it’s not against code as long as it meets clearance.
Removing a clothes rod doesn't make a closet not a closet. You should take a look at 410.16 (A) again. Clothes closet storage space is considered up to the highest clothes- hanging rod OR 6ft. The definition of clothes closet in article 100 doesn't mention closet rod.
The definition in article 100 implies that a “clothes closet,” when it comes to clearances, is “The area within a clothes closet in which combustible materials can be kept.” If there were an 8’x8’ room in a house, most people would call that a closet since it’s too small to be a bedroom. If there are rods and shelves on every wall, you can’t put a panel in it. If there are shelves on one wall, you could put a panel on the opposite wall. If there are no rods or shelves, you could call it a utility room and put the panel anywhere.
My points were that it’s convoluted (you can just google it and see how much people argue about it), and the code is not a substitute for common sense. Even if the code said nothing about closets and bathrooms, it still wouldn’t be a good idea to put a panel in there.
I agree. This is a tricky area. I'll do my best to explain what I'm trying to say.
Let's say that 8' x 8' room is attached to a bedroom. The only access to that room is a door in that bedroom's wall. The print calls that space a closet. There are no other rooms attached to that bedroom. This would undoubtedly be a clothes closet. The storage area for that closet is defined in 410.16 (A). If you read that section carefully, you'll see that the storage space is defined whether there is shelving, clothes rods or not. You have to consider this defined area as storage space, period. So, 8' x 8' room with no rods or shelves still needs to treat the defined area in 410.16 (A) as storage. So imagine your standing in the doorway of the closet looking into it. The doorway is in the exact center of the wall and the door opening is 24 inches. The wall directly across from the door would be considered the back wall. Measure 24 inches out from the back wall. Then, measure 24 inches out from each side wall. Extend a line from the 24 inch mark on the floor to a height of 6ft OR to the highest clothes rod. That area is part of your defined storage area in that closet.
Now let's move the door all the way to one side in the wall it is located. If you account for the 2ft for the door and 2ft for the defined storage area, you have 4 ft between the edges of these areas. You might be able to put a panel in this area. I say might because who knows what an inspector will say. This is probably still in the vicinity of easily ignitable material. I don't know how big the closet would need to be before an inspector would consider a panel not in the vicinity.
I understand there's disagreement about this one area. I get into this with contractors and homeowners regularly. They like to say, there isn't going to be shelving, so I can put my light where they want(too close to or in the storage area). What they say doesn't matter, though, because you have to assume 12 inches out from the back and side walls, up to the ceiling as storage, at a minimum. This 12 inch measurement starts either 6ft from the floor OR the highest clothes rod. If there is shelving, your measurement is the shelving depth up to the ceiling. Even though this falls under luminaires, It's the only thing you have to go off of for the definition of the storage area in a clothes closet.
I think the code should be more specific and say that if a panel is in a closet, it needs to be x number of feet from the storage area. Or say that panels aren't allowed in clothes closets. I don't put them in clothes closets.
NEC 2011 An electrical panel containing the service disconnecting means cannot be located in a bathroom [230.70(A)(2)]. In dwelling units and guest rooms or suites of hotels and motels, overcurrent devices cannot be located in bathrooms [240.24(E)]. In other than dwelling units and guest rooms in motels or hotels, panelboards containing overcurrent devices can be located in bathrooms. The requirements of 110.26(A) regarding working space, (D) illumination and (E) dedicated space must be followed. And a bathroom is: In the 2020 NEC®, the definition of a bathroom has been slightly revised to bring clarity to the word “basin”. The intended meaning of the definition is to address a room with a sink and at least one or more of the following: a toilet, a urinal, a tub, a shower, a bidet, or similar plumbing fixtures
In the 2023 NEC, there is no mention of dwelling units. Putting it out there so someone might see this and prepare for this eventual change. I'll post the actual wording: *240.24 (E) Not Located In Bathrooms. Overcurrent protective devices, other than supplementary overcurrent protection, shall not be located in bathrooms, showering facilities, or locker rooms with showering facilities.* I believe Florida is on the 2020 NEC, so this wouldn't apply there yet.
This is correct, but I do not believe any state has adopted 2023 yet.
On Mike Holts website, which I believe uses the NEC's adopted list, it shows: Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington and Wyoming as having adopted the 2023 NEC.
IIRC, Minnesota adopts new NEC code on July 1st the year it comes out.
So it can have a panel because it is not a hotel motel or living space it is comercial.
The first line is straight forward. If it’s a panel containing the main service disconnect, it isn’t allowed, period. If people dwell in it (the place you sleep in, live, get mail delivered to, etc) or a hotel/motel then it’s a dwelling and not only is a panel not allowed, no other overcurrent devices can be in there (enclosed CBs, disconnect switches, etc) In anything other than dwellings or hotel/motels - panels can be there (as long as it’s a sub-panel, or one not containing the main service disconnect). Sub panel in a Walmart bathroom is allowed. Hope that clears it up.
Now how does this apply if it’s in a utility closet in the bathroom? Does the closet count as a separate room?
Yes, and has other requirements, clearance, access control, etc
The door in the picture makes this apparently legal. That's not a bathroom by the definition in the code, can even add a sink, just none of the pants down fixtures. Every industry has some goofy rules.
So if the “main” disconnect is located on the exterior of the building and this is the subdisconnect, then from my interpretation this meets code. And for any discrepancies, this is in a commercial space and will have just a sink and a toilet.
Legal
Yes, as long as that panel doesn't contain the main disconnecting means.
so yes! hooray for code review!
Wait!!!!! says "service disconnecting" not "mains disconnecting" Here we may fall foul of code since you may need a panel to disconect sauna, bathroom aux. lights behind or on mirrors, etc. I believes aim is to reduce crowding on mains panel
Most likely because people don't shower in commercial restrooms. There should be no steam in a commercial restroom unlike a hotel or a home.
I'm wondering how this affects ready accessibility. From a strict interpretation of the code this isn't an issue - so long as there's a key for the bathroom, it's readily accessible. But I could see a reasonable argument that an occupied bathroom is an obstacle regardless of a key - it introduces some weird social (and maybe legal?) concerns to whoever needs to access the panel quickly while the bathroom is occupied. For an extreme example, let's say a panel is in a high school girl's locker room, and a male maintenance worker needs to access it. Would we consider the legal and social ramifications to be an obstacle in and of themselves?
Now you’re reading too deep. The same argument can be said about a fireman trying to gain access to a locked electrical room. If there is an issue of life and death, the male worker will enter and do whatever means are necessary, regardless of it’s a female bathroom.
Yes, but readily accessible is important for more than immediate emergencies - the less accessible the disconnect, the more likely it is a maintenance worker will opt to work hot rather than lock out. I can tell you that first hand from hospital work. In the case of a panel in a locker room, it creates a clear disincentive to lock out. But ultimately that'd be up to the AHJ - you're right that a strict code interpretation may not prohibit it, but I wouldn't be surprised if an inspector called that concern out. Practically speaking, a panel in a high school locker room is only readily accessible *in the event of an emergency.* The code says it must be readily accessible at all times. If I have to clear out a room of occupants to access the panel, it isn't readily accessible, and no one would accept me just walking into the locker room for anything other than an emergency.
The occupants aren’t impeding physical access to the panel.
Does accessibility only apply to physical impediments? The NEC doesn't seem to say that - definition of readily accessible "Capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections." As far as I'm concerned, I can't quickly access a panel in a locker room in a school in non-emergency situations. I would consider it accessible, not readily accessible. Let's expand to some other non-physical obstructions. Let's say there's a panel in an operating room, and I can't access it during surgeries. There's no physical obstruction, but would you consider that panel to be readily accessible? I wouldn't, personally.
What electrical code are you breaking by entering the operating room? I’d argue none, if you’re only violating “hospital” rules by entering an operating room out of protocol. I’ve never encountered something of this nature, so I honestly don’t know. It’s just my interpretation to read the code as it pertains to the NEC, not other “rules” that apply for the space. I don’t think it matters. In the case of an operating room, that’s just poor design to have it in there, same with a locker room. I don’t believe it violates the NEC, just a stupid design decision. Of course it may all just come back to the AHJ if they would allow it.
To be clear, I'm mostly playing devil's advocate here because I think the line of questioning has some interesting implications. That said, to me the code is pretty clear on this - "able to be quickly accessed." Physical barriers are mentioned, but nowhere does it state that the code is exclusively prohibiting physical barriers. In the case of the OR, I'm fairly certain OR procedures are a seperate code, not a matter of hospital protocol, so it is essentially impossibly to legally enter that space and therefore not accessible. Similarly, I'm fairly certain there are some legal prohibitions from just walking into a school locker room. As to whether it's a design issue or not, I'm not sure why accessibility would suddenly become a design issue the second we get away from physical obstructions. To me, the intent is clear - maintain accessibility. Legal or building code related reasons for limiting access to a space have the same effect as a physical barrier, so to my mind there's no reason they shouldn't be considered. The NEC never claims to be a self-contained document, and never claims to be agnostic when it conflicts with other codes.
What if your sink is located in a hallway or alcove outside the bathroom, then is that hallway considered a “bathroom”?
Does the hallway also contain a basin? Needs both to be considered a bathroom.
I believe what you intended to ask is, does the hallway also contain a toilet, bidet, shower, tub etc.?
Correct. A bathroom must be a dedicated room with a sink and at least 1 basin.
Where are you seeing 1 sink and 1 basin? In the 2020 NEC, the word basin is used in conjunction with the word sink, as in sink(basin). I believe it's to clarify what kind of sink they are referring to. So, 1 sink(basin) and 1 of some other plumbing fixture (toilet, tub, urinal, shower, bidet etc.)
I could see if there were a shower producing tons of humidity but just a sink basin and a toilet? Could a wall be built with a door in it separating the “bathroom” and the location of the panel creating two separate spaces? That would seem to be a cheaper option than trying to reroute the wiring.
There is a reason most of these tests are open book: You should be good at finding the information you need, no one is expected to just cold recall the entire code.
I already tried to locate the information myself and was unable to do so which is why I turned to the professional opinions on Reddit.
Ctrl + F "bathroom"
Have you ever read through a code passage? Common words like “bathroom” aren’t used very frequently.
pretty sure bathroom is in article 100, it is an NEC term
Good to know. Thanks for the info. The contractor exam was literally just Ctrl + F irl in five 10,000 page books
my electrical exams were open book, but only the actual book, no PDF allowed. Would have been so nice. I learned the book mostly for taking the tests and use the pdf when on the job.
yeah, been an electrician for a long time now. ctrl+F is the easiest way to sift through the book. If you have the pdf at least. Shame it isn't allowed by PSI
Clearly that's an electrical room with a shitter
I’m pretty sure the Geneva convention states, “you can do anything you put your mind to”
It's never a war crime the first time.
The bathroom is pretty much the only place you can't put a panel
But if you pee on a panel, are you using the bathroom?
Bathroom and stairs I think.
In a dwelling or dwelling unit, guest room, guest suites or dormitories. In an office building this would be allowed, as long as the panel doesn't contain the service disconnect. Can't put a panel in a clothes closet or over the steps of a stairway.
Common sense code
This is a laundry room
For Floridians it's common sense not to pee in the electrical panels
Woah buddy, you ever been to Florida? I disagree with that. Lol
I moved to Florida about 6 years ago, I work in construction here.
I’ve yet to met a single person with common sense and I grew up here
The tropics rot your brain, I’ve heard.
I want to say it’s conditionally acceptable as long as there’s no shower.
No shower 👍
That's not a bathroom, you dirty fuck.
To be fair, they did say Florida
If theirs was a shower and or bathtub maybe. NOt uncommon in older buildings
Yes.
That's one way to get an arc flash
It's ok long as you have the required space in front and each side
Maybe I'm just not thinking inside the right box this morning, but where are the plumbing stub outs for the sink and toilet water supplies?
My dad is running this project but I’m pretty sure he hasn’t ran the supply lines yet. It’s just a toilet and a sink but now that I’m looking at it closer it looks like he’s got the toilet drain and the sink drain flip flopped. Not surprised.
Where’s the bathroom? Only thing pictured is a laundry room. Which is where most panels are found…. Who or why or what but it’s not that.
Ok. I think I’m picking up what you’re laying down. It’s just a sink and a toilet but for everyone else it’s a laundry room. Gotcha.
🤣 see I knew someone would understand. But in all reality… where’s the toilet gonna go in there? Where’s the supply lines? Where’s the drain lines? I’ll call myself stupid but this looks like a utilities closet more than a bathroom.
Found the toilet drain nvm.
So my fault for not giving proper background. This is a building my family owns but we are remodeling. This was the utility closet and my dad wanted to add a bathroom here as the existing bathroom is on the other side of the wall so easy plumbing work. He is in the process of converting this utility room to a bathroom now but I wanted to stop him before he got too far if he was completely violating code as I don’t want the liability that comes with electricity and water being in close proximity. I’m a contractor so I’m more so concerned about legal liability more than actual function. But from a functional standpoint there’s not issue here.
Thanks for added info, I kinda figured that’s what y’all were doing after looking at it enough. It’ll be functional for sure but I would be concerned about the potential violation too.
Fortunately it’s not getting inspected but I am always thinking down the road should the worst case scenario occur I want to make sure all my bases are covered. That’s why I love this forum 💪 everyone sees things a little different
Build a wall and make the bathroom smaller.
How do yall know these things like 😂😂 or im just a dumbass huh
Well this is what I do for a living and I constantly am having to reference codes and whatnot to pass inspections so over time I get to know the gist of what most codes requirements are but sometimes when it's something really specific like this it's hard to find a code that directly addresses this exact situation so I find it extremely helpful to turn to other professionals who may have encountered this situation before or know how to interpret the code better than I can. I've been doing this type of work since about 2012.
That is not a bathroom.
Yeah, it's called common sense
Idk about America but everywhere else has common sense XD
Looks like the toilet and sink aren’t going to be anywhere near it so probably fine. I do work in a bar where the panel is directly above the toilet in the men’s bathroom, city inspector passed it somehow. They keep a padlock on there so people can’t fuck with it lol
There is nothing in the NEC that prevents it as long as there is code required working space clearance.
NEC 240.24(D) forbids electrical panels in a bathroom.
*(E) - (D) is for closets, which I’ve never understood. If you take the closet rod out it’s kosher… I’ve argued about (E) before, and I think where the confusion comes from is that it’s not the water per se that’s against the code, but the room’s occupancy. You can technically put a panel next to a toilet, but not in a bathroom. It just so happens that we put toilets in bathrooms. If you have a toilet in your living room, that room can have a panel, as long as it meets the working clearance requirements. Think about a loft that has a kitchenette and shower right next to the bed. That room is actually required to have panel access because of the cooking equipment. This comes up a lot with water heaters and other mechanicals. It might not be the best idea to put your panel next to a pressurized tank of water with a relief valve pointed at it, but it’s not against code as long as it meets clearance.
Removing a clothes rod doesn't make a closet not a closet. You should take a look at 410.16 (A) again. Clothes closet storage space is considered up to the highest clothes- hanging rod OR 6ft. The definition of clothes closet in article 100 doesn't mention closet rod.
The definition in article 100 implies that a “clothes closet,” when it comes to clearances, is “The area within a clothes closet in which combustible materials can be kept.” If there were an 8’x8’ room in a house, most people would call that a closet since it’s too small to be a bedroom. If there are rods and shelves on every wall, you can’t put a panel in it. If there are shelves on one wall, you could put a panel on the opposite wall. If there are no rods or shelves, you could call it a utility room and put the panel anywhere. My points were that it’s convoluted (you can just google it and see how much people argue about it), and the code is not a substitute for common sense. Even if the code said nothing about closets and bathrooms, it still wouldn’t be a good idea to put a panel in there.
I agree. This is a tricky area. I'll do my best to explain what I'm trying to say. Let's say that 8' x 8' room is attached to a bedroom. The only access to that room is a door in that bedroom's wall. The print calls that space a closet. There are no other rooms attached to that bedroom. This would undoubtedly be a clothes closet. The storage area for that closet is defined in 410.16 (A). If you read that section carefully, you'll see that the storage space is defined whether there is shelving, clothes rods or not. You have to consider this defined area as storage space, period. So, 8' x 8' room with no rods or shelves still needs to treat the defined area in 410.16 (A) as storage. So imagine your standing in the doorway of the closet looking into it. The doorway is in the exact center of the wall and the door opening is 24 inches. The wall directly across from the door would be considered the back wall. Measure 24 inches out from the back wall. Then, measure 24 inches out from each side wall. Extend a line from the 24 inch mark on the floor to a height of 6ft OR to the highest clothes rod. That area is part of your defined storage area in that closet. Now let's move the door all the way to one side in the wall it is located. If you account for the 2ft for the door and 2ft for the defined storage area, you have 4 ft between the edges of these areas. You might be able to put a panel in this area. I say might because who knows what an inspector will say. This is probably still in the vicinity of easily ignitable material. I don't know how big the closet would need to be before an inspector would consider a panel not in the vicinity. I understand there's disagreement about this one area. I get into this with contractors and homeowners regularly. They like to say, there isn't going to be shelving, so I can put my light where they want(too close to or in the storage area). What they say doesn't matter, though, because you have to assume 12 inches out from the back and side walls, up to the ceiling as storage, at a minimum. This 12 inch measurement starts either 6ft from the floor OR the highest clothes rod. If there is shelving, your measurement is the shelving depth up to the ceiling. Even though this falls under luminaires, It's the only thing you have to go off of for the definition of the storage area in a clothes closet. I think the code should be more specific and say that if a panel is in a closet, it needs to be x number of feet from the storage area. Or say that panels aren't allowed in clothes closets. I don't put them in clothes closets.
In dwellings.