AFCI protection in Bathrooms

[Jose cisnero]

Guys what’s your opinion on AFCI protection in (Dwelling units) Bathroom.
The NEC does not address it.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

My opinion is the code panel feels that if an afci trips it could more dangers for the people in a shower at night. Imagine an old person in a shower at night and the lights go out.

BTW, welcome to the forum

 

[Jose cisnero]

Hi Dennis!
Have you ever imagine that same old person on a bed in the middle of the night ( trying to walk out of the room for water) in the dark cause the AFCI breaker detected an arc fault in one of the extension cords that feed the night stand lamps..
I think every corner of the house would be a dangerous scenario for a very elderly person.

 

[Jose cisnero]

An arc fault condition may occur in the bathroom itself or in the attic, in my opinion the bathroom requieres AFCI protection but the code does not address it.. would the AHJ have the last word on it..?

 

[ptonsparky]

I can find everything I need to in the dark shower. Without panic even.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

An arc fault condition may occur in the bathroom itself or in the attic, in my opinion the bathroom requieres AFCI protection but the code does not address it.. would the AHJ have the last word on it..?

The bathroom is not required to have arc fault protection as the nec clearly did not intend for that to be the case. If you want to add afci then you can however, it is not required no matter what the authority having jurisdiction states.

 

[kwired]

I think I read they were intending to include bathrooms in 2020, even had it in first draft but somehow it got removed before final document, actually a little surprised it didn't stay in there.

Still not sold on AFCI myself, like the basic concept of them don't think what they have meets that concept in a reasonable manner, but surprised this happened that way.

 

[shortcircuit2]

Massachusetts 2020 amendment requires AFCI in all locations in Dwellings...except fire alarm systems.

 

[Jose cisnero]

210.12(C) is a new Section in the 2014 NECthat requires AFCI protection for the branch circuits supplying 125V, 15A or 20A outlets in dormitory bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, closets and similar rooms.
Similar...Rooms?
Is a Bath Room similar to a Kitchen, Laundry Room,............?

 

[kwired]

210.12(C) is a new Section in the 2014 NECthat requires AFCI protection for the branch circuits supplying 125V, 15A or 20A outlets in dormitory bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, closets and similar rooms.
Similar...Rooms?
Is a Bath Room similar to a Kitchen, Laundry Room,............?

For about every other situation no. Used to have similar wording until 2017 when they did add the word kitchen to the list.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

210.12(C) is a new Section in the 2014 NECthat requires AFCI protection for the branch circuits supplying 125V, 15A or 20A outlets in dormitory bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, closets and similar rooms.
Similar...Rooms?
Is a Bath Room similar to a Kitchen, Laundry Room,............?

Look at the definition of a kitchen---there is no way in the world that one can compare a kitchen to a bathroom.

 

[kwired]

Look at the definition of a kitchen---there is no way in the world that one can compare a kitchen to a bathroom.

Bathroom is also defined in NEC. most other rooms on the list are not NEC defined.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

For those that have the first edition of the 2020 handbook, you will be mislead into believing that AFCI is required for all 120 volt, 15 and 20 amp branch circuits. That is not correct and is based on the vote on the floor of the NFPA meeting that would have required that protection. When there is a floor vote on a rule change that is accepted, the rule returns to the code making panel and must receive a 2/3s majority to become part of the code. The vote at CPM2 was 7 to 7, and per the NFPA rules, the language in the 2020 code reverts back to the most reason language that had consensus...that is the language in the 2017 code. There is no change in the areas that require AFCI protection in the 2020 code.

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

For those that have the first edition of the 2020 handbook, you will be mislead into believing that AFCI is required for all 120 volt, 15 and 20 amp branch circuits. That is not correct and is based on the vote on the floor of the NFPA meeting that would have required that protection. When there is a floor vote on a rule change that is accepted, the rule returns to the code making panel and must receive a 2/3s majority to become part of the code. The vote at CPM2 was 7 to 7, and per the NFPA rules, the language in the 2020 code reverts back to the most reason language that had consensus...that is the language in the 2017 code. There is no change in the areas that require AFCI protection in the 2020 code.

Hi Don,
Am I to understand that AFCI requirements gave not changed since the NEC 2017 code book was published? Do you know where I can access the information you just posted above?
Or is it in the second addition of the NEC 2020 Code book?
Thanks

 

[kwired]

Hi Don,
Am I to understand that AFCI requirements gave not changed since the NEC 2017 code book was published? Do you know where I can access the information you just posted above?
Or is it in the second addition of the NEC 2020 Code book?
Thanks

For "dwelling units" I don't think there was any changes as far as what rooms require AFCI since 2014 as a general rule. That is when they added kitchens and laundry areas and included "devices" along with "outlets".

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Hi Don,
Am I to understand that AFCI requirements gave not changed since the NEC 2017 code book was published? Do you know where I can access the information you just posted above?
Or is it in the second addition of the NEC 2020 Code book?
Thanks

The actual code book is correct. It is only the handbook that is wrong.