Shower Space Receptacle

augie47

augie47

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Location
Tennessee
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State Electrical Inspector (Retired)
(I've only had an opportunity to review '17... this may be clearer in later versions)

Client has a bathroom, all tile, with a a shower head centered on the ceiling. They need a receptacle at the sink and have an electric towel warmer.
There is nothing that defines a "shower area".'
How do you address the placement of receptacles and towel warmer ?
 
augie47 said:
There is nothing that defines a "shower area".'
How do you address the placement of receptacles and towel warmer ?
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The 2017 does not use a shower area it only requires the receptacle to be outside of the footprint of the shower. How that is determined in this case is anyone's guess. The 2020 added a 3' dimension to a shower zone similar to the standard lighting requirement.

2017 NEC:
406.9(C) Bathtub and Shower Space. Receptacles shall not be installed within or directly over a bathtub or shower stall.
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2020 NEC:
406.9(C) Bathtub and Shower Space.
Receptacles shall not be instal⁠led within a zone measured 900 mm (3 ft) horizontally and 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold. The identified zone is all-encompassing and shall include the space directly over the tub or shower stall.
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The problem here is that the room has no "shower stall." Or rather, you could say that the entire room is a shower stall, and its "threshhold" is the doorway leading into the room. In either event, my reading is that no receptacles are allowed in the room.

My code book is not handy and my memory is less so. But I believe that the code might not require a receptacle near the sink. I can't say whether this is a "bathroom," since you didn't say whether it has a toilet.

The heated towel rack, being hard-wired, should be OK.
 
That's what I'm thinking Charlie. I think we had something similar awhile back where an in-use cover was suggested for the receptacle. Not so sure about the towel rack. Is it suitable for a wet location?

-Hal
 
We don't know if the sink area is subject to shower spray
charlie b said:
The problem here is that the room has no "shower stall." Or rather, you could say that the entire room is a shower stall, and its "threshhold" is the doorway leading into the room. In either event, my reading is that no receptacles are allowed in the room.

My code book is not handy and my memory is less so. But I believe that the code might not require a receptacle near the sink. I can't say whether this is a "bathroom," since you didn't say whether it has a toilet.

The heated towel rack, being hard-wired, should be OK.
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It does meet the definition of a bathroom
Bathroom.
An area including a sink with one or more of the following: a toilet, a urinal, a tub, a shower, a bidet, or similar plumbing fixtures. (CMP-2)
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It is also my opinion if the code requires a receptacle at the sink then the bathroom must be designed to accommodate the install.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
We don't know if the sink area is subject to shower spray

It does meet the definition of a bathroom
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Based on wording that was quoted earlier from 2020 NEC, whether bathroom is involved or not a tub or shower space can't have any receptacles in or within three feet horizontally. I think this dis present some questions on intent and they did make some changes in 2023:

1752083545076.png

So a receptacle less than three feet horizontally but with separation by door or other barrier is still allowed. Plus exception 2 still allows the required receptacle near the sink as long as on the opposite far wall adjacent to sink if clearance is still a problem. Not too many rooms are that small for this to need to come into play but is there for in case.

Also is exception 4 that was I couldn't copy in one clip as it is at top of page in the other column, that allows any electric controlled toilet or other hygiene item within that three feet, as long as receptacle is not between said item and tub/shower space.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
It does meet the definition of a bathroom
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That is why I chose not to rely on my memory. Thanks.

So it seems we have a "Catch 22" here (for those who know that phrase). You need a receptacle near the sink but you can't put one in the room because being outside the shower stall means being outside the room.
 
charlie b said:
That is why I chose not to rely on my memory. Thanks.

So it seems we have a "Catch 22" here (for those who know that phrase). You need a receptacle near the sink but you can't put one in the room because being outside the shower stall means being outside the room.
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If 2017 NEC is what applies that three foot rule isn't there, only needed to be outside the space above the rim of the tub or shower or if above needs to be 8 feet or more above the rim.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
It is also my opinion if the code requires a receptacle at the sink then the bathroom must be designed to accommodate the install.
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Agreed. But I infer that this room has already been built. Shame on any architect, engineer, or contractor that let this happen.

What can be done now? In my opinion, installing a receptacle near the sink is not an option. It's simply not safe, and safety must take precedence over the client's convenience. Therefore, the "no receptacles within a shower stall" rule must take precedence over the "put a receptacle near the bathroom sink" rule.
 
kwired said:
If 2017 NEC is what applies that three foot rule isn't there, only needed to be outside the space above the rim of the tub or shower STALL (I added this word to your code citation) or if above needs to be 8 feet or more above the rim.
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The problem with that interpretation is that there is no rim and no shower stall.
 
The room has a shower head but no defined shower threshold or spray containment.

So why does it have a sink? Just put a spigot on the wall with no defined threshold or containment.

It would go with the architectural theme of water going everywhere, and you won't have a sink so won't need a receptacle :)

The entire room will be sink and shower. Put in an appropriate drain, and the entire room is the toilet as well. Code doesn't require a receptacle _in_ the sink :)

-Jonathan
 
I'm not gonna be any help, but I'm just amazed that someone building a brand new bathroom would want to replicate living in a miniature RV or boat. :oops:
 
charlie b said:
The problem with that interpretation is that there is no rim and no shower stall.
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so the sink is also within the shower space. I kind of agree that if that is the case the receptacle is not permitted to be in the shower space. is this a prison cell bathroom?:)
 
The owner says it's "European style"..... one decent size room..all tile...shower head on ceiling with a floor drain.
 
augie47 said:
The owner says it's "European style"..... one decent size room..all tile...shower head on ceiling with a floor drain.
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Bathrooms in Europe that I’ve seen have no receptacle other than a low-power outlet for a shaver. The light switch is even outside the door.
 
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