Bathroom Light

[bad_idea]

I am putting a bathroom in my 30x40x12 garage. I am considering wiring the bathroom light into the circuit for the overhead lights. All of the lights in the building are on one switch. I would like to tap into one of the existing lights, to a switch just inside the bathroom door to control the bathroom light. My thought here is that when I leave the shop and turn out the lights the bathroom light will also be off. I am not concerned with overloading the lighting circuit, all of the fixtures are LED.

Thoughts? Code issue?

 

[RoadBeater]

I did a similar thing with a closet light in my basement, don’t see anything wrong with it.

 

[jdm5]

Only issue I can see is if someone is in the bathroom and you don't realize and turn out the lights...

 

[bad_idea]

If I turn out the lights, then I am locking up the garage. They will have a bigger problem.

I do appreciate the input though.

 

[The Cobbler]

many places require an outlet in a bathroom,not sure how that would play into your plan ) if it has to be live all the time)

 

[bad_idea]

I plan to run an outlet in off of another outlet in the garage. I plan to put the radio in the bathroom to keep the dust out of it. I have had a real issue with grinding dust getting into radios and killing them.

 

[sparky 1971]

I plan to run an outlet in off of another outlet in the garage. I plan to put the radio in the bathroom to keep the dust out of it. I have had a real issue with grinding dust getting into radios and killing them.

If it's considered a residential bathroom, it has to have a 20 amp circuit for the receptacle that is just for the bathroom(s). You won't be able to pull it off of another circuit already in the garage. If it's commercial, you can get the receptacle from wherever you want, and it doesn't even need to have the receptacle. The lights don't have to be on this circuit and I am unaware of any issues code wise that would stop you from getting the lights off of the existing switch leg.

EDIT: Replace the words "has to" with "supposed to". It all depends on how much you want to follow the code and what you have in place as far as permits and inspections go. I put a bathroom in my basement, the receptacle in there has never been used and is on the same circuit as the freezer on the other side of the wall.

 

[nadogail]

IIRC, any outlet in a Bathroom must be GFCI protected.

My Workshop bathroom has no outlets.

 

[ddurrett896]

Don't need an outlet in a garage bathroom but I added one as the "bathroom junction" that fed the switch and all of the lights inside the bathroom.

Add a light to the outside of the bathroom so you know the light is on and it's occupied. You can even get a custom made neon one of Amazon that says "shitters full" for like $100.

 

[Jsf721]

Wire it separately and use a proximity switch.

 

[wssix99]

Only issue I can see is if someone is in the bathroom and you don't realize and turn out the lights...

Indeed. There is a fundamental Murphy's Law that every time you sit on the can for #2, your wife will come in and turn off the lights. She will be pulled in by an unseen force to do this. ...No one will know what drew her into the garage... The excuse will be that she saw the lights on, didn't see you, and wanted to "save energy." This will happen over and over and over again ...and it will be your fault every time.

For a single light like this, you can pull the light off the outlet you are installing with its own switch. if you are in the bathroom, its not like there will be someone in your garage using power tools on the outlet circuit causing you problems.

 

[bronc076]

Wssix speaks the truth! Additionally when the bathroom light is on it should power up a cell phone jammer and disable any doorbells within ear shot! Best way to trigger a disturbance is to have a seat!

 

[75gmck25]

My input is wire it separately and use a wall switch with a time-delay sensor that shuts it off if there is no movement in the bathroom for X minutes. Worst case is that you sit there too long and need to wave your arms around to trip the sensor and turn the light back on.

 

[HalfTonTom]

Yeah sure, wave whatever you think will get the lights back on...then wave your arms.

 

[sparky 1971]

Don't need an outlet in a garage bathroom but I added one as the "bathroom junction" that fed the switch and all of the lights inside the bathroom.

Add a light to the outside of the bathroom so you know the light is on and it's occupied. You can even get a custom made neon one of Amazon that says "shitters full" for like $100.

Really? I can't find that exception in 210.11(C)(3) or 210.52(D)

210.11(C)(3) Bathroom branch circuits
In addition to the number of branch circuits required by other parts of this section, one or more 120 volt 20 amp branch circuits shall be provided to supply bathroom(s) receptacle outlet(s) required by 210.52(D) and any countertop and similar work surface outlets. Such circuits will have no other outlets.

Exception: When the 20 amp circuit supplies a single bathroom, outlets for other equipment within the same bathroom shall be permitted to be supplied in accordance with 210.23(A)(1) and (A)(2)

210.52(D) Bathrooms
At least one receptacle outlet shall be installed in bathrooms within 900 mm (3 ft) of the outside edge of each basin. The receptacle outlet shall be located on a wall or partition that is adjacent to the basin or basin countertop, located in the countertop, or installed in the side or face of the basin cabinet. In no case shall the receptacle be located more than 300 mm (12 in.) below the top of the basin or basin countertop. Receptacle outlet assemblies listed for use in countertops shall be permitted to be installed in the countertop.

 

[Sumboodie]

Only issue I can see is if someone is in the bathroom and you don't realize and turn out the lights...

Place I worked had a motion sensor in the bathroom for the lights.

Set to maybe 5 mins.

Was lovely being mid poop and be in the pitch dark.

 

[wssix99]

Really? I can't find that exception in 210.11(C)(3) or 210.52(D)

210.11(C)(3) Bathroom branch circuits

If the OP leaves the sink outside in the shop and only has a toilet in the "bathroom," I don't believe it would be an actual "bathroom" as defined by the NEC.

Martha Stewart may have an issue with this and the women's stalls at all our local yacht clubs have sinks in the stalls, but I think it's OK to have a man's stall in the garage.

...I assume the plan here is to have the sink outside. (That is what I would do.) I would rather have a proper utility sink in the garage and have it do double duty. The stall can be stocked with Dude Wipes and a Step 'N Pull for any messy situations away from the sink.

Place I worked had a motion sensor in the bathroom for the lights.

This also fails my "wife test." She messes with these for sport. They were a great debate in our current house. My wife wanted them in every room and we compromised on ONE in the laundry room as a "trial." It has been a total failure.

Even when I'm there - right in front of her face; she comes in and shuts the damn light off. (To save electricity.) Even before I can explain to here that an estrogen rush is interrupting her visual cortex and I'm directly in front of her, she starts yelling at me that the motion detecting switch is broken. (Even though it was properly detecting my motion - right in front of her.)

See post #11. Murphy's Law is still intact with motion detecting switches. She'll march right in and turn them off.

 

[sparky 1971]

If the OP leaves the sink outside in the shop and only has a toilet in the "bathroom," I don't believe it would be an actual "bathroom" as defined by the NEC.

You are correct, but I don't see anything about the sink being on the other side of the wall, and he did state bathroom.


Bathroom
An area having a sink (basin) with one or more of the following: a toilet, a urinal, a tub, a shower, a bidet, or similar plumbing fixtures.

 

[bad_idea]

OP HERE. I'm not getting this bathroom install inspected. I'm not concerned about absolute code compliance. I am looking for the spirit, not the letter of the law. I want it safe, but not worried about a violation.

Thanks for all of the great input guys. Please do not turn this thread into a ******* contest of code specifics.