Dave,
Dave F wrote:As far as AFCI devices go, is an AFCI also a GFCI? in other words, can an outlet be both at the same time? I would think so.
AFCI and GFCI are two different things - basically, GFCI requirements are for people protection of outlets while AFCI requirements are for protection of the circuit within the structure (to help keep a circuit which is arcing from burning a house down).
Based on the above, the GFCI protection is typically installed at each receptacle outlet which is to be protected, while AFCI protection is installed at the panel (an AFCI breaker) to protect the wiring itself, which means that a circuit which is AFCI protected may also have receptacle outlets which are GFCI protected on that circuit.
On another note, I've also read that a light switch cannot be within 60" of a tub or shower. Is that accurate?
A receptacle outlet is not permitted to be within the tub or shower space ("406.9(C) Bathtub and shower space. Receptacles shall not be installed within or directly over a bathtub or shower stall."), and, switches are not permitted within tub or shower spaces ... mostly ... ("404.4(C) Switches in Tub or Shower Spaces. Switches shall not be installed within tubs or shower spaces unless installed as part of a listed tub or shower assembly.")
The "tub or shower space" for receptacles and switches is not defined to the extent it is for luminaires, which stretches the space out from the tub or shower to 3 feet from the edge of the tub or shower, but limits the height to 8 feet above the tub or shower ... switches and receptacles are simply not permitted "within" (receptacles and switches) or "over" receptacles - no height above which is okay is given, and switches have that tricky exception if "part of a listed tub or shower assembly".
Which brings us to:
This wouldn't be an issue with the main overhead lights,
No part of any light (luminaire) is permitted to be within the space (think of it as a large box) which starts at the top of the tub or shower curb and goes up 8 feet, and which completely surrounds the tub or shower to the surrounding walls or outward 3 feet from the edge of the tub or shower - most tubs are three side walls, so the 3 feet out would apply to the open side, but an island or peninsula tub would have no walls or many one wall, so the 3 feet would apply all the way around the tub where there is no wall. The only lights allowed in that space are recessed lights - if the light is not a recessed light, the closest part of the light needs to either be 3 feet away from the tub or shower or 8 feet above the tub or shower. Again, the easiest way to visualize this is to think of a box setting on the tub or shower which is 8 feet tall and extends out 3 feet past the tub or shower - no part of any light is permitted to touch or be within that box (such as is shown here - place cursor over link, right click, then click on 'Open in new Tab/Window":
http://ecmweb.com/site-files/ecmweb.com ... CQfig1.jpg ).