accessible from grade

[nmbme]

Multifamily Dwelling Unit Building. At least one receptacle outlet accessible from grade level and not more than 6'1/2" ft above grade must be installed at each dwelling unit that has an individual entrance at grade level[ 210.52 E}

Is this stating that if a deck is built,its still accessible from grade ?

 

[scwirenut]

Re: accessible from grade

yes, I believe so, now if our 4'5" wife was in the yard with the weedwacker , we wouldnt want her standing on a 5 gallon bucket to get to that recept. would we...if the deck is higher tha 6-1/2 feet , put one under it

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Re: accessible from grade

(E) Outdoor Outlets For a one-family dwelling and each unit of a two-family dwelling that is at grade level, at least one receptacle outlet accessible at grade level and not more than 2.0 m (6 1/ 2 ft) above grade shall be installed at the front and back of the dwelling.
For each dwelling unit of a multifamily dwelling where the dwelling unit is located at grade level and provided with individual exterior entrance/egress, at least one receptacle outlet accessible from grade level and not more than 2.0 m (6 1/ 2 ft) above grade shall be installed.

If it is a multifamily unit, then the deck is ok, if it is a one or two family unit the deck is a violation.
Don

 

[George Stolz]

Re: accessible from grade

I think the way it's worded, the required outlet could be arguably installed on the deck (in any #-dwelling unit), so long as it's no more than 6.5 feet above grade.

(E) Outdoor Outlets For a one-family dwelling and each unit of a two-family dwelling that is at grade level, at least one receptacle outlet accessible at grade level and not more than 2.0 m (6 1/ 2 ft) above grade shall be installed at the front and back of the dwelling.

So long as there are steps provided, a receptacle on a deck could be argued as accessible from grade. "Accessible," being a NEC-defined term, could change the reading of "accessible from grade" from one phrase to "{accessible} from grade." A defined term with a starting point.

If the deck were 20' in the air, with stairs, the receptacle would still be accessible, from grade. So it's possible that the reason for the 6.5" restriction is to prevent that from happening.

I think it could be argued that the single - two - multifamily distinction is to clarify that one outlet is acceptable for multifamily. A 4-plex with two or three exterior exits, or sides, would still only require one receptacle.

 

[iwire]

Re: accessible from grade

Originally posted by georgestolz:
as there are steps provided, a receptacle on a deck could be argued as accessible from grade. "Accessible," being a NEC-defined term, could change the reading of "accessible from grade" from one phrase to "{accessible} from grade." A defined term with a starting point.

It is not required to be accessible from grade, it is required to be accessible at grade.

part of

210.52(E)(E) Outdoor Outlets For a one-family dwelling and each unit of a two-family dwelling that is at grade level, at least one receptacle outlet accessible at grade level and not more than 2.0 m (6 1/ 2 ft) above grade shall be installed at the front and back of the dwelling.

IMO that eliminates receptacles on decks as meeting 210.52(E) unless you can stand with your feet on grade and reach a receptacle on the deck.

I think it could be argued that the single - two - multifamily distinction is to clarify that one outlet is acceptable for multifamily. A 4-plex with two or three exterior exits, or sides, would still only require one receptacle.

I do not agree, read the section slower, each individual units exterior entrance (if they have one) is required to have a receptacle which would have to be on a public panel or the specific units panel.

part of 210.52(E)

For each dwelling unit of a multifamily dwelling where the dwelling unit is located at grade level and provided with individual exterior entrance/egress, at least one receptacle outlet accessible from grade level and not more than 2.0 m (6 1/ 2 ft) above grade shall be installed.

But admittedly I do not deal much with the 210.52 requirements and often when I try to understand Part III of Article 210 my head spins.

 

[augie47]

Re: accessible from grade

dang it Bob! A lot of folks I inspect are going to be mad at you. I always agreed with George, but you, Sir, have straightened me out.

 

[iwire]

Re: accessible from grade

Originally posted by augie47:
dang it Bob! A lot of folks I inspect are going to be mad at you.

Please do not tell them where I live.

 

[George Stolz]

Re: accessible from grade

Originally posted by iwire:
It is not required to be accessible from grade, it is required to be accessible at grade.

There's a 50/50 chance you got me on that one. The fact that I accidentally interchanged terms didn't help my case. [/b][/quote]No kidding! Ask four different people, get four different responses on how to interpret this one section alone!

 

[iwire]

Re: accessible from grade

For each dwelling unit of a multifamily dwelling where the dwelling unit is located at grade level and provided with individual exterior entrance/egress, at least one receptacle outlet accessible from grade level and not more than 2.0 m (6 1/ 2 ft) above grade shall be installed

George that describes a single dwelling unit with a door that allows exit to the exterior grade.

Each dwelling unit of the multifamily dwelling that has one of those such doors must have receptacle.

 

[iwire]

Re: accessible from grade

Originally posted by georgestolz:
I just can't help but picture someone standing at grade level. To this person standing "at grade level" is the receptacle "accessible"?

By Mike Holt for EC&M Magazine

Q4 Can a 15A or 20A, 125V receptacle on a dwelling unit porch serve as the required outdoor receptacle outlet?

A4 No, 210.52(E) requires one 15A or 20A, 125V receptacle outlet at the front and one at the back of dwelling unit. Such receptacles must be accessible "at grade level." Receptacles installed above a porch or deck that is elevated are not accessible "at grade level," they are accessible "from grade level" and do not meet the requirements of this section. Personally, I think this is ridicules.

Where I found this.

So he may feel as you do but agrees that it is not allowed.

 

[George Stolz]

Re: accessible from grade

Charlie's Rule Timeout - The both of us.
(On the multifamily door issue)

[ January 21, 2006, 12:28 PM: Message edited by: georgestolz ]

 

[George Stolz]

Re: accessible from grade

So he may feel as you do but agrees that it is not allowed.

 

[websparky]

Re: accessible from grade

I disagree. Where the words "grade level" are used in the electrical code, is a term relative to elevation of the structure not the earth or the surface which you may be standing on.

2005 NEC

(E) Outdoor Outlets.
For a one-family dwelling and each unit of a two-family dwelling that is at grade level, at least one receptacle outlet accessible at grade level and not more than 2.0 m (6 1/2 ft) above grade shall be installed at the front and back of the dwelling.

For each dwelling unit of a multifamily dwelling where the dwelling unit is located at grade level and provided with individual exterior entrance/egress, at least one receptacle outlet accessible from grade level and not more than 2.0 m (61.2 ft) above grade shall be installed. See 210.8(A)(3).

Keep in mind the electrical code in and of it's self is not the last word in building. It must fit with the rest of the codes and in a case like this where a term is not defined but is defined in the building codes, it's definition is used to understand the requirement.

For instance, a porch or deck that rises above the earth a step or two would not automatically eliminate the receptacle located above it as the required receptacle. The NEC says, "accessible at grade level" and the NEC defines accessable as

Admitting close approach; not guarded by locked doors, elevation, or other effective means.

I believe you would be hard pressed to say the porch or deck "guarded" the receptacle especially since the NEC gives a height specification of "at grade level and not more than 2.0 m (6 1/2 ft) above grade".

2003 IRC

GRADE.
The finished ground level adjoining the building at all exterior walls.

GRADE FLOOR OPENING.
A window or other opening located such that the sill height of the opening is not more than 44 inches (1118 mm) above or below the finished ground level adjacent to the opening.

GRADE PLANE.
A reference plane representing the average of the finished ground level adjoining the building at all exterior walls.Where the finished ground level slopes away from the exterior walls, the reference plane shall be established by the lowest points within the area between the building and the lot line or, where the lot line is more than 6 ft (1829 mm) from the building between the structure and a point 6 ft (1829 mm) from the building.

Now if the porch or deck had no steps to the deck or porch and/or the deck or porch were more than 6 1/2' above "grade level", then you would have a violation.

 

[iwire]

Re: accessible from grade

Originally posted by georgestolz:
You're adding "entrance" to "each". It says each qualifying dwelling unit shall have at least one receptacle. One of the conditions defining a covered dwelling unit (requiring one receptacle) is a door of it's own, as I'm reading it.

For each {dwelling unit} of a multifamily dwelling where {the dwelling unit is located at grade level and provided with individual exterior entrance/egress}, at least one receptacle outlet accessible from grade level and not more than 2.0 m (6 1/ 2 ft) above grade shall be installed.

So in your opinion this building would only require one outdoor receptacle?

 

[George Stolz]

Re: accessible from grade

I can't tell what that is for sure, let's call it a four-plex.

It would need four outdoor receptacles, one for each dwelling unit of the multifamily dwelling, IMO.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Re: accessible from grade

Dave,
CMP 2 does not agree.

2-236 Log #3197 NEC-P02
(210-52(E))
Final Action: Reject
Submitter: Phillip David Martin, City of Chattanooga, TN
Recommendation:
Revise text as follows:
(E) Outdoor Outlets. For a one-family dwelling - each unit of a two-family dwelling that is at grade level, at least one receptacle outlet readily accessible at grade level and not more than 6 1/2 feet shall be installed at the front and rear of each dwelling.
Substantiation:
It has been ruled in our area these outlets cannot be accessed by stairs and Code comply.
Panel Meeting Action: Reject
Panel Statement:
The present Code text requires that the receptacle be accessible "at" grade level. A receptacle that cannot be reached while standing on grade and be within the 6'6" height requirement would not meet the requirement of 210.52(E).
Number Eligible to Vote: 13
Ballot Results: Affirmative: 13

 

[websparky]

Re: accessible from grade

Don,

Thanks for the information.

The CMP rejected this proposal because the submitter wanted to use the term "readily accessable" instead of "accessable" and I agree.

It is too bad that the well intentioned CMP is not clearer on this subject. I can not understand the functional difference between a receptacle placed where there is nothing but earth directly below it and one that is placed where the porch floor is below it when the porch floor is 16 or 24" higher than the earth and the overall 6 1/2'.

For example, many new homes here have a deck attached to the rear of the house. The deck is usually 24" higher than the earth. Many of the decks extend 3/4ths. of the distance accros the rear of the house and have steps on each end of the deck and sometimes on the rear. In a case like this the receptacles mounted above the deck will be used for all of the rear yard needs. Most times these receptacles will afford an easier access and safer surface for the person plugging in a device or an extention cord. The same is true for the front porch. It would stand to reason that the receptacle on the front porch is easier to access and safer than the one located in the flower bed.
Maybe a proposal is in order if there are jurisdictions reading the code as you suggest. Maybe a well written question that can be answered by the CMP with a yes or no would help.

 

[George Stolz]

Re: accessible from grade

Originally posted by don_resqcapt19:
Dave,
CMP 2 does not agree.

A receptacle that cannot be reached while standing on grade and be within the 6'6" height requirement would not meet the requirement of 210.52(E).

Thanks for posting that ROP, Don.

 

[iwire]

Re: accessible from grade

Originally posted by georgestolz:
So CMP-2 would rather see no receptacles on the outside of this building than to force the occupant to step up to the deck level to plug in? That's nuts.

George I am missing something.

The CMP requires the outdoor outlets to be installed, just not on those decks.

Find a spot not on the deck, of course that may be behind a garden etc.

 

[George Stolz]

Re: accessible from grade

If the egress door (the wood door) is not at grade level, then it's an above-grade dwelling unit (of a MFDU).

Wow. The acronym for "multi-family dwelling unit" looks profane to me.

Anyway, if the door isn't at grade level, there's no requirement for outside receps on above-grade MFDU's.