I HAVE A QUESTION REGARDING GFCI RECEPTACLES IN A A COMMERCIAL KITCHEN. NEC CODE 210.8 B SAYS THAT ALL PLUGS IN A KITCHEN NEED GFCI PROTECTION,EXCEPT PLUGS THAT ARE NOT READILY ACCESSIBLE AND ARE SUPPLIED FROM A DEDICATED CIRCUIT FOR ELECTRIC SNOW MELTING EQUIPMENT SHALL BE PERMITTED. DOES THIS WORDING MEAN THAT A REFRIDGERATOR OUTLET IN A COMMERCIAL KITCHEN MUST HAVE GFCI PROTECTION OR NOT ????? WHAT ABOUT A 20 AMP PLUG FOR A TELEPHONE BOARD LOCATED IN THE SAME KITCHEN ????
GFCI IN COMMERCIAL KITCHENS ?????
- Thread starter sean
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bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: GFCI IN COMMERCIAL KITCHENS ?????
Actually, 210.8(B) has no exceptions regarding kitchens, so ALL 125-volt, 15- and 20-amp receptacles must be GFCI protection.
There is nothing about dedicated or non-accesible receptacles in this section. This means refrigerators, clocks, microwaves, coolers, frezers, countertops, everything.
[ July 16, 2003, 10:54 AM: Message edited by: bphgravity ]
Actually, 210.8(B) has no exceptions regarding kitchens, so ALL 125-volt, 15- and 20-amp receptacles must be GFCI protection.
There is nothing about dedicated or non-accesible receptacles in this section. This means refrigerators, clocks, microwaves, coolers, frezers, countertops, everything.
[ July 16, 2003, 10:54 AM: Message edited by: bphgravity ]
david
Senior Member
- Location
- Pennsylvania
Re: GFCI IN COMMERCIAL KITCHENS ?????
Sean
I can hear you, hear you, hear you,?????????
Yes the current code requires GFCI protection for these outlets in a commercial kitchen, search commercial kitchens in the archived post on this board.
Sean
I can hear you, hear you, hear you,?????????
Yes the current code requires GFCI protection for these outlets in a commercial kitchen, search commercial kitchens in the archived post on this board.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: GFCI IN COMMERCIAL KITCHENS ?????
Except in washington state, a state rule now only requires GFCI for kitchen counter top receptacles.
Except in washington state, a state rule now only requires GFCI for kitchen counter top receptacles.
ryan_618
Senior Member
- Location
- Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: GFCI IN COMMERCIAL KITCHENS ?????
I've not yet had a chance to read the 2005 ROP's. Are there any definitions or exceptions, that are being considered by the CMP, to address this requirement? I have been considering proposing a state amendment to adopt whatever the 2005 changes on this requirement to make it a bit less vague.
PS Sean: Please turn "caps lock" off on your keyboard
[ July 16, 2003, 02:05 PM: Message edited by: ryan_618 ]
I've not yet had a chance to read the 2005 ROP's. Are there any definitions or exceptions, that are being considered by the CMP, to address this requirement? I have been considering proposing a state amendment to adopt whatever the 2005 changes on this requirement to make it a bit less vague.
PS Sean: Please turn "caps lock" off on your keyboard
[ July 16, 2003, 02:05 PM: Message edited by: ryan_618 ]
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: GFCI IN COMMERCIAL KITCHENS ?????
In Washington State, a "kitchen" is any place where food or beverages are prepared or served. The NEC has no definition. So the answer to your question resides with your local authority.
In Washington State, a "kitchen" is any place where food or beverages are prepared or served. The NEC has no definition. So the answer to your question resides with your local authority.
Re: GFCI IN COMMERCIAL KITCHENS ?????
Charlie
By your definition would a break room in a comercial building with a microwave, coffee pot and a refriderator be called a kitchen? I do not hestiatate to put GFCI recpticles in areas that are not defined in the code as needing them, but on a bid job where the bottom line and who is low man gets the job this is sometimes a concern. I do applaud the fact the CMP feels the need to have GFCI protection in all kitchen areas but there needs to be a definition, like what makes a bathroom a bathroom added to the code. :roll:
Charlie
By your definition would a break room in a comercial building with a microwave, coffee pot and a refriderator be called a kitchen? I do not hestiatate to put GFCI recpticles in areas that are not defined in the code as needing them, but on a bid job where the bottom line and who is low man gets the job this is sometimes a concern. I do applaud the fact the CMP feels the need to have GFCI protection in all kitchen areas but there needs to be a definition, like what makes a bathroom a bathroom added to the code. :roll:
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: GFCI IN COMMERCIAL KITCHENS ?????
So the answer to your question is ?yes.?
It?s not my definition. Here is a quote from Washington Administrative Code 296-46B-210: ?Kitchens in other than dwelling units are considered to be any work surface where food and/or beverage preparation occurs and other countertops or islands.?
So the answer to your question is ?yes.?
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Re: GFCI IN COMMERCIAL KITCHENS ?????
Charlie,
Would the use of the words "work surface" in the Washington definition of kitchen limit the GFCI requirement to receptacles that serve countertops?
Don
Charlie,
Would the use of the words "work surface" in the Washington definition of kitchen limit the GFCI requirement to receptacles that serve countertops?
Don
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: GFCI IN COMMERCIAL KITCHENS ?????
I don?t think so. The NEC tells us where, within a ?kitchen,? we need to protect outlets with a GFCI device. The way I read the sentence that I quoted above is that it establishes, for the purpose of compliance with the NEC, the definition of ?kitchen? that will apply in this state. There is a Break Room in my office, and it contains a soda dispenser, a microwave, and a coffee maker. State law now calls that room a kitchen. The building is not a dwelling unit (although some employees seem to live here). Therefore, 210.8(B) tells me that every receptacle in that room must have GFCI protection.
I don?t think so. The NEC tells us where, within a ?kitchen,? we need to protect outlets with a GFCI device. The way I read the sentence that I quoted above is that it establishes, for the purpose of compliance with the NEC, the definition of ?kitchen? that will apply in this state. There is a Break Room in my office, and it contains a soda dispenser, a microwave, and a coffee maker. State law now calls that room a kitchen. The building is not a dwelling unit (although some employees seem to live here). Therefore, 210.8(B) tells me that every receptacle in that room must have GFCI protection.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: GFCI IN COMMERCIAL KITCHENS ?????
Here is the Washington State Adminstrative Code, in effect May 23, 2003:
WAC 296-46B-210 Wiring and protection--Branch circuits.
008B Other than dwelling units - GFCI requirements.
(1) For the purposes of NEC 210.8(B), all 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles must have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel as required by NEC 210.8(A). Kitchens in other than dwelling units are considered to be any work surface where food and/or beverage preparation occurs and other countertops or islands.
There is still some applications that are not clear, but its better than the NEC.
Here is the Washington State Adminstrative Code, in effect May 23, 2003:
WAC 296-46B-210 Wiring and protection--Branch circuits.
008B Other than dwelling units - GFCI requirements.
(1) For the purposes of NEC 210.8(B), all 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles must have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel as required by NEC 210.8(A). Kitchens in other than dwelling units are considered to be any work surface where food and/or beverage preparation occurs and other countertops or islands.
There is still some applications that are not clear, but its better than the NEC.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: GFCI IN COMMERCIAL KITCHENS ?????
This reminds me of when GFCI's were required for bathrooms. All of a sudden no one knew what a bathroom was. Is a sink and a urinal in a workshop a bathroom? Of course it was a cost issue as to when a GFCI was required.
The argurment on kitchens is the reefers will cause the GFCI's to trip.
This reminds me of when GFCI's were required for bathrooms. All of a sudden no one knew what a bathroom was. Is a sink and a urinal in a workshop a bathroom? Of course it was a cost issue as to when a GFCI was required.
The argurment on kitchens is the reefers will cause the GFCI's to trip.
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