Arc Fault locations per 2009 IRC

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mikhen

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oley, pa
I understand the 2014 requires Arc Fault Protection almost everywhere. He did not fail us for the 2014 code. He said they are enforcing this code since 2009. The inspector, yes the same one that failed us for water heater/ sump receptacle, different thread), failed us for not having ACI protection for the Garage/ laundry circuit, the bathroom lighting circuit, and the basement lighting. His quote from the code...."bedrooms, closets, and similar areas". You store stuff in a garage and basement, so it's like a closet. That's what he told me.
So it went on for a while.
I finally said so that's your interpretation.
He said there is no interpretation. Generally, arc faults are needed for a closet. What's in a closet besides a light? Usually nothing. So if the code requires AFI for a closet, it requires it in any room or space there is a light.
That is his explanation.
And again, he passed our houses before for not having this.
 
Looks like he's making you pay for questioning his last call. This is unfortunately the way it goes with some inspectors. Some like to think they're a little closer to God than the rest of us and get nasty when they're judgements are questioned. Fact of the matter is they're people like everyone else and can be petty and ignorant and spiteful like everyone else. Luckily there's more decent ones than not in my personal experience.


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We'll I'd look at like this:
The code states similar.
Similar is: resembling without being identical

Bedroom = sleeping area - in a conditioned space and has a closet
Closet = storage = usually in a conditioned space
Bathroom = where you bathe and relieve yourself in a conditioned space
Dine room - where you eat - in a conditioned space



Laundry room= where you clean your laundry sometimes in a conditioned space

Garage = where you store your car - usually never conditioned space.
Basement= if unfinished is not a conditioned space , if it is then I would see the need to AFCI

Laundry , garage and bathroom are not similar spaces.
 
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Sorry I don't have a 2008 NEC available at the moment, but do have 2011 PDF on the computer I am using right now - and it mentions closets in 210.12(A) and has no highlighting indicating any change - which means 2008 NEC likely included closets also.
 
kwired said:
Sorry I don't have a 2008 NEC available at the moment, but do have 2011 PDF on the computer I am using right now - and it mentions closets in 210.12(A) and has no highlighting indicating any change - which means 2008 NEC likely included closets also.
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It appears the OP did not get gigged for the closet. He may have it AFCI'd already
 
Sierrasparky said:
It appears the OP did not get gigged for the closet. He may have it AFCI'd already
Click to expand...

OP here.

Yep, we put the closets on with bedrooms, and are AFI'd. Inspector stated that basement and garage is like a closet. They are used for storage. He did give me a quote from the code, and I told him it depends how it's interpreted. Obviously, I know how he interprets it. But not consistent with previous inspections.

This is the reason that, one day, I would love to be an inspector. After 30 years of being a sparky, I would be able to be fair and use common sense. That is something I greatly miss in the old school inspectors.
 
mikhen said:
OP here.

Yep, we put the closets on with bedrooms, and are AFI'd. Inspector stated that basement and garage is like a closet. They are used for storage. He did give me a quote from the code, and I told him it depends how it's interpreted. Obviously, I know how he interprets it. But not consistent with previous inspections.

This is the reason that, one day, I would love to be an inspector. After 30 years of being a sparky, I would be able to be fair and use common sense. That is something I greatly miss in the old school inspectors.
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OK I misunderstood exactly what was being rejected.

"Like a closet" and "is a closet" has two different meanings AFAIK:roll:
 
mikhen said:
OP here.

Yep, we put the closets on with bedrooms, and are AFI'd. Inspector stated that basement and garage is like a closet. They are used for storage. He did give me a quote from the code, and I told him it depends how it's interpreted. Obviously, I know how he interprets it. But not consistent with previous inspections.

This is the reason that, one day, I would love to be an inspector. After 30 years of being a sparky, I would be able to be fair and use common sense. That is something I greatly miss in the old school inspectors.
Click to expand...


Yeah but a garage is not like a closet. We do not put smokes in basements or Garages.
I don't think you are allowed to park a car in a closet even if it is big enough.
No flammables, and it's generally not conditioned.


Bring the jerk to my neck of the woods I splain it to him. :rant:
 
mikhen said:
OP here.

Yep, we put the closets on with bedrooms, and are AFI'd. Inspector stated that basement and garage is like a closet. They are used for storage. He did give me a quote from the code, and I told him it depends how it's interpreted. Obviously, I know how he interprets it. But not consistent with previous inspections.
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I think you have a valid complaint that should be taken up with Mr. Inspector's superiors. In Michigan, the inspector's superiors are a single phone call away, the state's licensing and regulation department's electrical division.

Each state has it's own rules, but the fact the guy is making up rules that he didn't enforce before should be brought to someone's attention.
 
Sierrasparky said:
Yeah but a garage is not like a closet. We do not put smokes in basements or Garages.
I don't think you are allowed to park a car in a closet even if it is big enough.
No flammables, and it's generally not conditioned.


Bring the jerk to my neck of the woods I splain it to him. :rant:
Click to expand...

Around here smokes are required in basements, and personally, I think CO2 should be a basement requirement.

And I love the "parking a car in a closet" comment. I wish I would have thought of that when i was talking to the inspector.
 
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