Is the laundry room circuit required to be AFCI protected? I have it GFCI protected on it's own circuit. An inspector is requiring it.
In Wisconsin it is considered a "similar room" to those listed in 210.12(A) and AFCI would be required.
Where is that written or is that a local interpretation?
If the laundry area is already a "similar room" in the 2011 NEC then would they need to add it to the list of rooms in the 2014?
If the laundry area is already a "similar room" in the 2011 NEC then would they need to add it to the list of rooms in the 2014?
It's a statewide interpretation from the Department of Safety and Professional Services.
To clarify the requirment and avoid confusion.
To claim that a laundry area is a " similar area or room " is incorrect and has no foundation or basis.
You seem very up in arms about something that the NEC left up to the local AHJ to decide.
Same as 'nearest the point of entrance' every AHJ makes there own call on that. From zero feet of service conductor inside to 50' of service conductor inside.
That is an opinion, not a fact.
Really .... what is the basis for claiming a laundry room as "Similar"
Where do you claim that the CMP deliberately left it up to the AHJ.
An AHJ must have basis for their claim other than " I said SO"
Otherwise we need to throw away the code books and the whole code making process.
The CMP left it up to the AHJ when they added the words "similar room or area" to 210.12(A).
It's an interpretion issue the same way each AHJ interprets what "subject to physical damage" means differently.
Really .... what is the basis for claiming a laundry room as "Similar"
Love how you folks put words in the CMP voice. The CMP point of view is very different.
The CMP never used "similar rooms" for that purpose.
It has four walls and a ceiling, if the AHJ wants to use that as the basis for similar that is within their authority.
It is not up to you or me to make that call
You clearly have an opinon of what similar means and that is fine but the AHJ can have another view and it is up to them.
It has four walls and a ceiling, if the AHJ wants to use that as the basis for similar that is within their authority.
It is not up to you or me to make that call
You clearly have an opinon of what similar means and that is fine but the AHJ can have another view and it is up to them.
You are claiming to know what the CMP meant. You don't.
All we know is they left it vague and up to local interpretation.
Couldn't agree with youThis so called interpretation is written somewhere and legally adopted?
I'd like to see the basis for this definition.
The CMP has refused to make a blanket definition of rooms or spaces and continually left rooms out of the requirements.
I hate to see other jurisdictions make such arbitrary interpretations or " because we say so" as it always filters around the country some way.
To claim that a laundry area is a " similar area or room " is incorrect and has no foundation or basis.
To claim that laundry is similar we must look at what makes it appear similar or unique. Those similarities cannot be the same things that make up a building , such as floor, walls , and ceilings. Has a door or maybe two. Including all areas and rooms would make the whole home AFCI and that has not been done YET.
So what makes a laundry room unique.
To me that is simple, it is where you clean your laundry. Maybe you store things there. Wash up, things of that nature.
You don't sleep there or prepare food.
You do not eat and entertain there.
For someone to claim it as similar has too much power.