1. May an electronic timer switch be used instead of an occupancy sensor to meet the 2005 code? The time settings are 5, 10, 15, and 30 min max, on the one I use. You have to manually turn it on, with no override, is this compliant?

No. A timer is not a compliant technology listed in the standards.

2. May a separately switched J-box for the light fixture(s) in the nook still be placed in a 3-4 gang box with the rest of the kitchen lighting switches or does it physically have to be on another wall, away from any switches that control kitchen lighting?

If the switch controlling a J-box is for light fixtures that are installed only in the nook area, then the switch can placed in the same gang box as the switches used to control the kitchen lighting and be considered “nook” lighting and not kitchen lighting.

3. Under the 2001 code, we used the square footage times a factor of 1.2 to come up with the required high efficacy lighting. The guide downloaded from your web site didn't mention any factors, just 50% of the required lighting. Is this 50% based on the actual square footage?

The 2005 Standards require that at least 50 percent of the kitchen’s wattage from permanently installed fixtures must be high efficacy. This calculation is independent of the square footage. To calculate kitchen wattage the CEC has introduced the Residential Kitchen Lighting Worksheet (WS-5R), available in Appendix A of the Residential Compliance Manual.

4. Are you aware if any manufactures that make a “manual on” occupancy sensor that also combines the slide dimming feature?  

• Watt Stopper has a product (WD170).

5. For the kitchen calculations how do I determine the wattage of a low-voltage track system?

Low-voltage track lighting system wattage is determined by the rated maximum wattage of the transformer.

6. We build a sheetrock box around our downlights, will this comply with the airtight requirements of Title 24?

If the sheetrock box is sealed and taped so that box creates a complete seal, the fixture might be determined to be inside the conditioned space. A downlight in this situation is not necessarily recessed in the ceiling because the ceiling might in fact be wrapping around the fixture. In this case the downlight would be installed in a conditioned space so the airtight requirement for Title 24 does not need to be considered. This interpretation will ultimately be made by the inspector.

7. If a separate light is required to light the address signage for emergency units, does it need to comply with Title 24 outdoor requirements?

The code is ambiguous about whether high-efficacy sources are required in these applications. It is our understanding that the code was never intended to include these applications.