Finished basement space

[JES2727]

is there a difference between "finished space" and "finished living space"?

The intended use is what matters, and proper permits and inspections are what make it so, as growler stated previously.

210.8 (A)(5) "....unfinshed basements are defined as portions or areas of the basement not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas, and the like."

 

[gadfly56]

I agree that it is finished, no different than the unfinished areas but still finished.

I don't like it but that doesn't matter.

IMHO all below grade receptacles should be GFCI protected.

If I put down tile how would that finish be safer than the concrete?

Ignoring the code issue for the moment, if you put down a glazed tile the surface is essentially impermeable so it would have a much higher resistance to ground. You would, I suppose, still have a higher "risk" if you're standing on a grout line. They do make unglazed tile, and with that you're at the mercy of the permiability of the thinset/mortar/tile combination, which I would guess is still pretty low, but I'm not a tile expert. Of course, if you put down a vapor barrier, now you're not tied to the earth through the flooring system at all.

 

[infinity]

The NEC see no real difference between concrete, brick or tile and considers them all to be grounded. From 110.26:

Condition 2 ? Exposed live parts on one side of the working space
and grounded parts on the other side of the working space. Concrete,
brick, or tile walls shall be considered as grounded.

 

[GoldDigger]

But that only applies to walls.
:angel:

 

[charlie b]

Ignoring the code issue for the moment, if you put down a glazed tile the surface is essentially impermeable so it would have a much higher resistance to ground.

And that I continue to insist is irrelevant. The floor material is not the issue. The ability of the floor to conduct electricity is not the issue. A finished space will be used for different purposes than an unfinished space. That is the issue. The unfinished space will be used as a workspace, with a workbench, and with hand tools. The finished space will have the TV and a floor lamp. You have a far less risk of an electrical item going bad and causing a shock when you are using the space like you would use the garage.