I just have a quick question about code-compliance and permanent lighting fixtures. At one of the residences I maintain, we have some rather lengthy hallways which are located in the center of the 2nd floor, a lot of this upper floor is an addition built on to a very old house, no natural lighting source at all. There are 3 light fixtures along the ceiling, all separately switched. Some of the residents we have here have mobility issues and other impairments, and while the ends of the hallways tend to stay lit adequately, the middle length of the hallway is pitch-dark when the light is off which usually frustrates me because I don't want anyone falling or otherwise injuring themselves because of the dark.
My question here, is can I just remove the switch and cap the wires together in the box, so long as it is properly grounded? I know all bedrooms, baths and common areas require permanent, switched lighting fixtures, but do I have any leeway with a hallway that is dependent on light fixtures? I don't particularly ever like the idea of any live circuit that can't be quickly and manually opened but I also don't like the possibility someone could fall if they have poor eyesight.
Also just to clarify, this is in regards to North American electrical code.
Best Answer
The problem comes in with the type of fixture, a ballast requires a switch or local disconnecting means in the fixture depending on the type of construction. an Edison lamp (screw in) would be ok. Having a light on all the time actually is ok by code but some fixtures like fluorescents that have ballasts require a way to disconnect the power locally . I would not be concerned in any occupancy to do this but label the blank plate where the switch was what it used to control. My personal preference would to be to add an occupancy sensor up at the lamp. Any movement turns the light on from 1 to 20 minutes on the models I use.saves power and I support several hundred in my plant and only have 1 or 2 a year fail in really nasty conditions.