cord reel could extend to sink - GFI required?

[malachi constant]

We have ceiling mounted cord reels in a middle school science classroom. The classrooms have sinks. Cord reels are plugged into outlets in the ceiling. The outlets serving the cord reels are not within six feet of any sink, but some cord reels themselves could be extended to within six feet of sinks.

A strict reading of 210.8 and Article 400 does not require either the ceiling outlet or the cord reel to have GFCI protection, at least as near as I can tell. Anyone have experience with this? Read it differently?

This for a project under construction, so if it is not code I doubt we change it. That said going forward would best practices be to put these on GFI breakers? Are there any issues with that?

Thanks!

 

[jap]

I don't see this any differently than plugging an extension cord into a non gfi protected outlet and extending it to use a device near a sink.
The rules are for the outlet locations, not what's plugged into them.

JAP>

 

[petersonra]

That said going forward would best practices be to put these on GFI breakers?

The only issue would be nuisance tripping. As long as the breakers are someplace convenient, that would be less of an issue.

personally, I might consider it given there are students involved.,

 

[charlie b]

I agree with JAP. That said, the code is a minimum standard for safety. If we see a possible hazard that is not addressed in the code, we can (and perhaps should) go beyond the code minimums. I would not put GFCI outlets at the ceiling level - they would not be readily accessible. But I would talk with the school about funding the extra costs for GFCI circuit breakers.

 

[jap]

I agree with JAP. That said, the code is a minimum standard for safety. If we see a possible hazard that is not addressed in the code, we can (and perhaps should) go beyond the code minimums. I would not put GFCI outlets at the ceiling level - they would not be readily accessible. But I would talk with the school about funding the extra costs for GFCI circuit breakers.

I agree.

And best to get the Neutral's in place now if your thinking about putting in GFI Breakers.


JAP>

 

[kwired]

I had a school once want me to install GFCI's for lab receptacles near the sinks - this back before NEC would have required GFCI's there. An insurance audit was what prompted them to make this request. I could see similar request for the cord reel situation.