AFCI Protection

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vptim

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I just had an inspector fail a final inspection in a small townhouse do to incorrect AFCI protection in the bedrooms.
Two of the bedrooms have (5) receptacles each, and the master bedroom has (7) receptacles. He told me that each bedroom needed to be on its own dedicated AFCI circuit.
I read article 210.12 (A) & (B) to refresh myself. If I comprehended what I read, it states that all single phase 15 and 20 amp branch circuits supplying outlets in bedrooms shall be protected by a listed Arc Fault Circuit interrupter.
It doesn't state that each bedroom be on a separate dedicated circuit. Are we correct in our interpretation of the code?
Also one other note, I read the forum on the AFCI poll about switches. What about smoke alarms? Are they considered outlets?

Thanks for your input.
 
Re: AFCI Protection

The code does not require each bedroom to be on a separate afci circuit, however local codes may have ammended that requirement. Smoke alarms are outlets and require afci protection when installed in bedrooms.
 
Re: AFCI Protection

Again, this depends on which code cycle your locality uses. In the '99 code, only bedroom receptacles require AFCI protection; in the '02, all bedroom outlets require it. There is no such NEC rule that each bedroom requires its own circuit.

Here, in Va., we're still on the '99, and in a small house, I routinely place all bedroom receptacles on a single 20-amp circuit, and the lighting on a separate 15-amp circuit. I prefer separate receptacle and lighting circuits in each room anyway.
 
Re: AFCI Protection

You are reading the code correctly.

What do you guys think about allowing a Contractor to back-charge an Inspector, when the Inspector fails an installation and is later proven to have been wrong?

(Not really serious, just trying to get a new record for the longest thread. :D }
 
Re: AFCI Protection

It is interesting you mention that Charlie. We recently had this very question presented to us at a "city contractors meeting". On occasion, a mistake is made or a disapproved inspection is reversed for whatever reason. In these cases, the fees associated are always dropped or refunded.

A few contractors have complained that they are backcharged by the builder for delaying the closing or some other deadline. Thus, the question as to whether or not the city should be resposnible for these fees was brought up.

Our building official gave a big smile, then got really stern and stated, "are you sure you want to pursue this"? It has never been mentioned again. :D
 
Re: AFCI Protection

Well, let's pursue this "a little bit".

Nah. Just kiddin'.
 
Re: AFCI Protection

Originally posted by al hildenbrand:
Well, let's pursue this "a little bit".

Nah. Just kiddin'.
Click to expand...
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Roger
 
Re: AFCI Protection

I'm pursuing it. About 2 times a year, I will get a call about something or other. 9 out of 10 is a bad call on the inspector's part. There is no charge applied to a failed inspection here so that is not an issue. A simple phone discussion will clear things up most of the time. So since there is no backcharges sent to me, I am against any reverse charges sent to the building dept. However it would be nice if the inspector would then call any homeowner/contractor who now thinks I was the one who screwed up, to let them know there actually was no violation. In a small town, reputations are everything.
 
Re: AFCI Protection

Thanks for all your input. We thought we were right, but just wanted to verify it.
 
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