210.52 A(2) Wall space & cabinets

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GoLonghorns

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I'm looking for clarification to this section that speaks to wall space covered by cabinets.

As I read the section I understand the interruption statement but see nothing in Handbook that speaks to cabinets. The commentary mentions doors, fireplaces, arches and similar openings. I see cabinets not as an opening but rather part of the wall space as they are typically permanently attached

Example 1: Wall length of say 15'. Entire wall floor to ceiling with cabinets. Does this section require receptacles to be placed at floor to meet spacing rule.

Example 2 : Same wall length. Base cabinets only. Does this section require an accessible countertop receptacle or a floor plug with this cabinet configuration

Thanks!
 
GoLonghorns said:
I'm looking for clarification to this section that speaks to wall space covered by cabinets.

As I read the section I understand the interruption statement but see nothing in Handbook that speaks to cabinets. The commentary mentions doors, fireplaces, arches and similar openings. I see cabinets not as an opening but rather part of the wall space as they are typically permanently attached

Example 1: Wall length of say 15'. Entire wall floor to ceiling with cabinets. Does this section require receptacles to be placed at floor to meet spacing rule.

Example 2 : Same wall length. Base cabinets only. Does this section require an accessible countertop receptacle or a floor plug with this cabinet configuration

Thanks!
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Example #1: In my experience, No. But I would ask local AHJ.

Example #2: Receptacles would be above base cabinets. The number of them would vary with end walls. But I believe the minimum spacing would require only two.

See if photo in attachment helps.
 

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electricmanscott said:
Cabinets are wall space? :-?
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They are either wall space or fixed room dividers, IMO. So I agree with Dennis and Stick, if the code is enforced literally, then receptacles would be required. We had quite a discussion a few years back on this. In practice I haven't met anyone enforcing it that way.
 
jerm said:
I don't think an inspector would let us interpet it figuratively. :)

"I know what it says, but this is what it meant!"
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Nope it's more like "I may not be sure what it says, but if I am, it doesn't make sense anyway."
 
I say it is not wall space:
Receptacle outlets required by this section shall be in addition to any receptacle~ located within cabinets or cupboards~
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Since the required ones are in addition to "ANY" that may or may not be in the cabinet... If it were to be included in the wall space - it would say so here....

(2) Wall Space. As used in this section, a wall space shall include the following:
(1) Any space 600 mm (2 ft) or more in width (including space measured around corners) and unbroken along the floor line by doorways, fireplaces, and similar openings
(2) The space occupied by fixed panels in exterior walls, excluding sliding panels
(3) The space afforded by fixed room dividers such as freestanding bar-type counters or railings
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To help clarify the original question, is this situation what you are discussing?:

Master_Bedroom.jpg

Or is it more like this:

Kitchen_Lighting.jpg
 
IMSO it is not a wall space. A cabinet is not a wall.

How would you comply with ADA height requirements?

What would be the practical use of such a receptacle? What would you plug in at the middle of the OP's 15' cabinet?

A cabinet would be something you approach often so anything plugged in would create a trip hazard.

210.52 is all about making sure a receptacle is located wherever someone might reasonably (and sometimes not so reasonably) be expected to require one. IMSO, the middle of 15' cabinet is not one of those places.
 
I may not be explaining my position clearly, but I'll try.

If I have floor to ceiling bookshelves or cabinets dividing two spaces, then it would be a "fixed room divider" IMO. So if I have the same cabinets fastened to a plastered wall, they still are considered wallspace. Neither of the pictures in posts are what I thought the OP was describing.
 
j_erickson said:
I may not be explaining my position clearly, but I'll try.

If I have floor to ceiling bookshelves or cabinets dividing two spaces, then it would be a "fixed room divider" IMO. So if I have the same cabinets fastened to a plastered wall, they still are considered wallspace.
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Neither is a "wall space" and outlets are not required - but doesn't mean you can't put some in - if YOU want to.... If it were two cabinets on both sides of a wall it would still not be wall space.
 
e57 said:
Neither is a "wall space" and outlets are not required - but doesn't mean you can't put some in - if YOU want to.... If it were two cabinets on both sides of a wall it would still not be wall space.
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What exactly is a "fixed room divider"?
 
Say a non-operable wood panel or glass....

The space afforded by fixed room dividers such as freestanding bar-type counters or railings
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Cabinetry, in this case shelving - 'affords' no usable 'space' in the intent of the code IMO - as it is used by the storage in the cabinet.
 
e57 said:
Say a non-operable wood panel or glass....



Cabinetry, in this case shelving - 'affords' no usable 'space' in the intent of the code IMO - as it is used by the storage in the cabinet.
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I don't think I agree with this, but I can see the argument. I need to sleep on it.:smile: Oh but don't go throwing "intent" in there on me.:grin:
 
This subject has been discussed many times, IMO how can you have a library (for example) with floor to ceiling cabinets and no receptacles? who says a wall has to be made out of sheetrock? I could very well be wrong, but I install receptacles anyways, the owners still always have lamps, vacuums, etc...
 
j_erickson said:
I don't think I agree with this, but I can see the argument. I need to sleep on it.:smile: Oh but don't go throwing "intent" in there on me.:grin:
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Well the 'intent' is that you would have an outlet in an area where you would 'use' one so as not to need an extention cord. If you felt that the end user were going to put a stereo or tv, or a floor lamp 'in' the cabinet - sure - go ahead and put one there. But IMO not many people would find an outlet necessary behind their books or knick knacks at a height below 3'. Sure it could qualify, but nothing that I see says you must.

In say your 2nd example of a countertop - I might put them in - depending if the back of it were part of the cabinetry or not. (Since it doesnt sound like you're talking about a kitchen in which it would be required.

Not that this counts.... (Commentary) This is what I have always understood as the intent of this code.
Receptacles are required to be located so that no point in any wall space is more than 6 ft from a receptacle. This rule intends that an appliance or lamp with a flexible cord attached may be placed anywhere in the room near a wall and be within 6 ft of a receptacle, thus eliminating the need for extension cords. Although not an enforceable requirement, receptacles may be placed equal distances apart where there is no specific room layout for the general use of electrical equipment. Section 210.52(A)(1) does not prohibit a receptacle layout designed for intended utilization equipment or practical room use. For example, receptacles in a living room, family room, or den that are intended to serve home entertainment equipment or home office equipment may be placed in corners, may be grouped, or may be placed in a convenient location. Receptacles that are intended for window-type holiday lighting may be placed under windows. In any event, even if more receptacles than the minimum are installed in a room, no point in any wall space is permitted to be more than 6 ft from a receptacle.

~~~
Fixed room dividers, such as bar-type counters and railings, are to be included in the 6 ft measurement. Fixed panels in exterior walls are counted as regular wall space, and a floor-type receptacle close to the wall can be used to meet the required spacing. Isolated, individual wall spaces 2 ft or more in width are considered usable for the location of a lamp or appliance, and a receptacle outlet is required to be provided.
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Either way - it is an AHJ call....
 
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