Does the receptacles need GFCI Protection?

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jshaw

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Idaho
I need some opinions. NEC 210.8 (B)(2) states: Commercial and institutional kitchens - for the purposes of this section, a kitchen is an area with a sink and permanent facilities for food preparation and cooking.

The receptacles would require GFCI protection.

My question is, in a church kitchen the ranges are cord and plug connected. Would these qualify as not permanent facilites for food preparation and cooking and therefore not require GFCI protection? What is considered permanent?
 
All of the 15 and 20 amp 120 volt receptacles need GFCI protection. A church kitchen meets the criteria for the requirement even if the ranges are cord and plug connected.
 
Kitchen GFCI

Kitchen GFCI

Other Than Dwelling Units All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in the locations specified in 210.8(B)(1) through (5) shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel:
Commercial and institutional kitchens ? for the purposes of this section, a kitchen is an area with a sink and permanent facilities for food preparation and cooking.
 
But a range probably wouldn't be a 15 or 20A receptacle. It would probably be 40 or 50A, so GFI wouldn't be required for the ranges, just all the other receptacles in the kitchen.

Steve
 
I guess my question to jshaw is are these units 250V - which typically a range is - Steve?

One other comment - a "church kitchen" implies this thing isn't temporary, and even though it's cord connected, in my opinion, it's a permanent installation. So I don't think that angle buys you anything.

Brett
 
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I'm trying to determine if the ranges, since they are cord and plug connected, are considered permanent. The code reference points out that the cooking facilities should be permanent. An office employee lounge with a microwave and a sink would not require GFCI protection even though the microwave would be used for cooking. At my house the microwave is the only means for cooking.

So what do you think about the cord and plug connected ranges not being considered permanent?
 
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So what do you think about the cord and plug connected ranges not being considered permanent?


I think that the requirement is poorly written but your argument that since a cooking appliance, like a big range or oven has a cord and plug that the entire room isn't a kitchen is a big stretch.
 
jshaw said:
So what do you think about the cord and plug connected ranges not being considered permanent?

Not much.

I'm thinking the cord and plug meet the requirements for a disconnecting means (422.33).

Where does the NEC say the range MUST be cord and plug connected?
 
I agree it is a kitchen, but I was just checking opinion as the contractor didn't like putting GFCI on all the receptacles and he argued that the ranges could be removed and then it would no longer qualify as a kitchen. I told him to get a permit when they take the ranges out and I'll reinspect and they can remove the GFCI protection.

I always like a few 2nd opinions. Thanks
 
So what do you think about the cord and plug connected ranges not being considered permanent?

Yes, a cord and plug connected range is permanent cooking equipment in this instance, IMHO.

marcb said:
I agree with mcdowellb because great minds think alike

Why don't you guys get a room.:rolleyes:

Chris
 
jshaw - if you use that argument, then you would consider cord connected ranges in houses - which most are cord connected - not permanent. You're beating a dead horse - dude.

Brett
 
I get very confused over this issue.Just why is a kitchen in an office more safe than the one at my house ? Down here typical offices have kitchen/break room that has a dw ,pig,micro wave,frig and a had one that had a full size range.Just what am i missing here ?
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
Just what am i missing here ?

A copy of the NECH?

Accident data related to electrical incidents in nondwelling kitchens reveal the presence of many hazards, including poorly maintained electrical apparatus, damaged electrical cords, wet floors, and employees without proper electrical safety training. Mandating some limited form of GFCI protection for high-hazard areas such as nondwelling kitchens should help prevent electrical accidents.

Their words...not mine.
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
Are we on the same page ? What i am saying is an office requires less protection than a home.I see them as atleast equal.Not talking about restraunts just offices.

Jim an office kitchen requires the same protection as a home kitchen.
 
Not in the NEC, but in the NEC Hanbook - it indicates the intent of 210.8(B)(2) is to not to consider something "with a sink and a portable cooking appliance (e.g.cord and plug connected microwave) is not considered a commercial or institutional kitchen". I don't think of a microwave oven as a cooking appliance, and normally these are in what I would call a "break room", and this is far from a "kitchen".

I think the code could definitely use some clarification on this subject - as it is written - it's not cut and dry. But who says the NEC should be "cut and dry".

Brett
 
iwire said:
Jim an office kitchen requires the same protection as a home kitchen.

Bob,
Home kitchens only require GFCI's at the countertop locations where ALL receptacles in a commercial kitchen are GFCI protected for 125V 15 and 20A.
Right?
 
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