As a Code Official we require builders to keep GFCI receptacles 3 feet from the tub area. Our reasoning is, I've done some reseach and found the failure rate of these receptacles to pose a hazard to children and the elderly. Even if they did not fail there is a chance that someone could be hurt in the time it senses and the time it trips. My question is; are we being unreasonable in erring on the side of caution? Thank you
GFCI at tub areas
- Thread starter nascar03
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petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- engineer
Re: GFCI at tub areas
Its reasonable if its required by whatever code is in use in your area. Otherwise its unreasonable.
Its reasonable if its required by whatever code is in use in your area. Otherwise its unreasonable.
wirenut1980
Senior Member
- Location
- Plainfield, IN
Re: GFCI at tub areas
It is allowable within the NEC (210-52(d) in '99 NEC). However, even though it might be a reasonable thought, if it is not a requirement of local codes, then you should not enforce what is not considered law. If it is not in any local codes, maybe you can lobby to have it added?
It is allowable within the NEC (210-52(d) in '99 NEC). However, even though it might be a reasonable thought, if it is not a requirement of local codes, then you should not enforce what is not considered law. If it is not in any local codes, maybe you can lobby to have it added?
wirenut1980
Senior Member
- Location
- Plainfield, IN
Re: GFCI at tub areas
Physis, I interpret 210.52(d) to mean the receptacle must be located up to and including 3 feet from the basin. If nascar03 is requiring the receptacles to be exactly 3 feet away, then it is allowable if local codes specify it, but requiring the receptacle to be at least 3 feet away would be a violation.
Physis, I interpret 210.52(d) to mean the receptacle must be located up to and including 3 feet from the basin. If nascar03 is requiring the receptacles to be exactly 3 feet away, then it is allowable if local codes specify it, but requiring the receptacle to be at least 3 feet away would be a violation.
ryan_618
Senior Member
- Location
- Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: GFCI at tub areas
Despite the fact that I am a code official myself, if I were installing and a code official asked me to do install above minimum code, I would install the outlet about 3 inches from the tub, just to spite him/her. Inspectors that require more than the code make knowledged inspectors look STUPID because it gives us all a bad reputation. Stop enforcing more than code requires, or submit a change with some technical substantiation. The fact of the matter is, if there are no dead bodies because of this, then it probably shouldn't be in the code. The code is big enough as is, without trying to incorporate more design issues into it.
Sorry, but this is a subject I feel very strongly about
Despite the fact that I am a code official myself, if I were installing and a code official asked me to do install above minimum code, I would install the outlet about 3 inches from the tub, just to spite him/her. Inspectors that require more than the code make knowledged inspectors look STUPID because it gives us all a bad reputation. Stop enforcing more than code requires, or submit a change with some technical substantiation. The fact of the matter is, if there are no dead bodies because of this, then it probably shouldn't be in the code. The code is big enough as is, without trying to incorporate more design issues into it.
Sorry, but this is a subject I feel very strongly about
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: GFCI at tub areas
It is legal and there have been times that much to my dislike i have put them right next to a tub.I am concerned about the ones that fail,then what happens ?
To demand it is wrong,suggest it is fine
[ December 07, 2004, 05:49 PM: Message edited by: jimwalker ]
It is legal and there have been times that much to my dislike i have put them right next to a tub.I am concerned about the ones that fail,then what happens ?
To demand it is wrong,suggest it is fine
[ December 07, 2004, 05:49 PM: Message edited by: jimwalker ]
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