Is a wall switch required at each floor landing for lighting outlets on stairways with four or more risers?

A wall switch is indeed required at each floor landing for lighting outlets on stairways with four or more risers, according to the National Electrical Code. This requirement is outlined to ensure safety and convenience; it allows for easy access to lighting when moving between floors, particularly in potentially hazardous areas like staircases where visibility is crucial.

Having a switch accessible at each landing reduces the risk of accidents by enabling users to turn on the lights before ascending or descending the stairs. This standard helps in promoting safety measures in residential and commercial buildings by ensuring that adequate lighting is available and controlled in stairway areas that can be dark or poorly illuminated.

The other choices suggest different interpretations, such as limiting requirements to commercial buildings or suggesting that stairways do not need wall switches if they are well lit. However, this overlooks the NEC’s emphasis on safety across all structures and the specific requirement that applies regardless of the overall illumination of the stairway. Moreover, just having a door at the entryway does not negate the need for a switch at the landing, as the goal is to maintain consistent safety standards.