are commercial building offices covered by the NEC?

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tlsa98

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I can't find anything in the NEC that tells me how many 120v receptacle outlets are required in an office space?? Our electrical contractor is telling us that office spaces aren't covered by the NEC. The office is about 10ftX10ft. It will have a person in it doing typical office work.
 
tlsa98 said:
I can't find anything in the NEC that tells me how many 120v receptacle outlets are required in an office space?? Our electrical contractor is telling us that office spaces aren't covered by the NEC. The office is about 10ftX10ft. It will have a person in it doing typical office work.
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The NEC most definitely applies to a commercial office building. But the NEC has almost no requirements for receptacles in those locations.

For example, in a typical 10' x 10' office the NEC does not require any receptacles or lights. If you choose to provide those things the NEC has rules about how those items are installed.
 
Can you tell me where it is written in the NEC that states that commercial offices are covered? That way I can show the contractor where it is.
 
Check with your local AHJ. They will tell you what source of information they use for code compliance, like for example the NEC. That will settle it.
 
Chamuit said:
Check with your local AHJ. They will tell you what source of information they use for code compliance, like for example the NEC. That will settle it.
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Can you tell me what exactly the NEC requires in a 10'x10' office space as the OP describes?
 
tlsa98 said:
Can you tell me where it is written in the NEC that states that commercial offices are covered? That way I can show the contractor where it is.
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As Iwire stated there are no requirements that tell you that you have to install recetacles or lights, but if you do then you have to follow the NEC for proper load calculation, wiring methods, etc.
You might look at 220.14(I) concerning receptacles for starters.
 
Ok, I am following you, I just see where you stated that the NEC "most definately applies to commercial offices" I was just asking how you know that? Where is it implied that commercial offices are covered?
 
tlsa98 said:
Ok, I am following you, I just see where you stated that the NEC "most definately applies to commercial offices" I was just asking how you know that? Where is it implied that commercial offices are covered?
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90.2 Scope.
(A) Covered. This Code covers the installation of electrical
conductors, equipment, and raceways; signaling and communications
conductors, equipment, and raceways; and optical
fiber cables and raceways for the following:
(1) Public and private premises, including buildings, structures,
mobile homes, recreational vehicles, and floating
buildings
 
tlsa98 said:
I was just asking how you know that? Where is it implied that commercial offices are covered?
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I agree with the others, 90.2(A).

Now that said, I doubt that the EC really thinks the entire NEC does not apply, I am willing to bet he was trying to say that the requirements for dwelling units such as outlet spacing, switch and receptacles etc do not apply in a commercial office space which is true.

Or I could be wrong. :)
 
Ok, thank you all. I just needed some ammo for this electrician that trying to tell me that office buildings aren't covered. Thanks again!
 
We built an office inside our truck repair shop so our mechanic can have a better place to do his office work and to enable him to cool off inside an air condtioned office when he gets too hot in the summer time.
 
tlsa98 said:
We built an office inside our truck repair shop so our mechanic can have a better place to do his office work and to enable him to cool off inside an air condtioned office when he gets too hot in the summer time.
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Then that means that Article 511 comes into play.
 
OK I will answer the question that was not asked.
For a dwelling unit, receptacles are required on 12 ft spacing, and the load for those receptacles is included in the 3 watts/sq ft, and you can have 100 15 ampere receptacles on a circuit.
For a non-dwelling unit (commerical is not a NEC term) no receptacles are required in office areas but if you include them they count at 180 VA each.
So in a non-dwelling occupancy, when you install a 15 or 20 amp, 125 volt receptacle, its included in the load calculation and those rules take an entire artice - 220.
What typically happens is we apply the dwelling unit receptacle rules to non dwelling units. Same with light switches, an office area does not require a light switch.
 
tom baker said:
OK I will answer the question that was not asked.
For a dwelling unit, receptacles are required on 12 ft spacing, and the load for those receptacles is included in the 3 watts/sq ft, and you can have 100 15 ampere receptacles on a circuit.
For a non-dwelling unit (commerical is not a NEC term) no receptacles are required in office areas but if you include them they count at 180 VA each.
So in a non-dwelling occupancy, when you install a 15 or 20 amp, 125 volt receptacle, its included in the load calculation and those rules take an entire artice - 220.
What typically happens is we apply the dwelling unit receptacle rules to non dwelling units. Same with light switches, an office area does not require a light switch.
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That's some of what I was referring to in post #7.
 
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