GFCI & Storage Buildings

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Little Bill

Little Bill

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Tennessee NEC:2017
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Semi-Retired Electrician
I just wired a set of storage buildings. These are similar to what people rent for storage but they are for RVs and boats. Seems there is a demand for these as I had no idea they even existed. I've seen them for boats but not RVs.

This building has 11 units, each is 50' x 14'. Each unit has (1) receptacle, (1) light, and (1) timer switch for the lights.
I had my rough inspection today and everything passed except the inspector said I had to change the already installed duplex receptacles to GFCI before he would pass the final.

I searched the code before I started and didn't find anywhere that showed GFCI was required for this type building being it is a non dwelling. I questioned the inspector and he said 547.5(G) was his reference. I said that section is for Agriculture not storage rentals. Then he said our State had an amendment for this type building. I have the State amendments and don't see it.

Is there anything in the NEC that would require GFCI for these type buildings that I (or the inspector has the wrong code section) have missed?
 
Could this building possibly fall under 511 as a vehicle storage area? It is a stretch, but...

Do the people who rent also do work on these RVs in the units?

If yes, 511.12 may apply and GFCI would be needed.
 
Little Bill said:
I just wired a set of storage buildings. These are similar to what people rent for storage but they are for RVs and boats. Seems there is a demand for these as I had no idea they even existed. I've seen them for boats but not RVs.

This building has 11 units, each is 50' x 14'. Each unit has (1) receptacle, (1) light, and (1) timer switch for the lights.
I had my rough inspection today and everything passed except the inspector said I had to change the already installed duplex receptacles to GFCI before he would pass the final.

I searched the code before I started and didn't find anywhere that showed GFCI was required for this type building being it is a non dwelling. I questioned the inspector and he said 547.5(G) was his reference. I said that section is for Agriculture not storage rentals. Then he said our State had an amendment for this type building. I have the State amendments and don't see it.

Is there anything in the NEC that would require GFCI for these type buildings that I (or the inspector has the wrong code section) have missed?
Click to expand...


You’re on 2008 yet?
 
jumper said:
Could this building possibly fall under 511 as a vehicle storage area? It is a stretch, but...

Do the people who rent also do work on these RVs in the units?

If yes, 511.12 may apply and GFCI would be needed.
Click to expand...

No work, just a space to park the RV or boat. The duplex receptacle is provided mainly for small battery chargers.

ptonsparky said:
You’re on 2008 yet?
Click to expand...

Yes still on the 08!
We're getting a new item this year called a VCR too!:)
 
Little Bill said:
No work, just a space to park the RV or boat. The duplex receptacle is provided mainly for small battery chargers.
Click to expand...

That would be maintainance and therefore work IMO.

Assuming then vehicles are not drained of all flammable stuff, oil and such. Sounds like a commercial vehicle storage area. Not classified, I was not going there.

Thinking hard about applying 511.12 here.
 
jumper said:
That would be maintainance and therefore work IMO.

Assuming then vehicles are not drained of all flammable stuff, oil and such. Sounds like a commercial vehicle storage area. Not classified, I was not going there.

Thinking hard about applying 511.12 here.
Click to expand...

That would be quite a stretch!
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I would consider it a garage and therefore gfci is required.
Click to expand...

If it is considered a garage then all I find is this...

511.12 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for
Personnel. All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere
receptacles installed in areas where electrical diagnostic
equipment, electrical hand tools, or portable lighting equipment
are to be used shall have ground-fault circuit interrupter
protection for personnel.
Click to expand...

No diagnostic equipment
No hand tools
No portable lighting as lighting is provided

Of course no one knows what someone might plug in to the receptacle in the unit but the same goes for any receptacle in areas not required to be GFCI. My point is the receptacle's intended use is just for a small trickle charger, if needed, for the RV or boat.
 
jap said:
Why are you so against installing a GFI receptacle?

JAP>
Click to expand...

It's not the GFCI, it was a bid job and it will add $400 to the price.
That includes removing the already installed duplex receptacles. Also have to change the raised industrial covers to accommodate the GFCIs.
 
Little Bill said:
It's not the GFCI, it was a bid job and it will add $400 to the price.
That includes removing the already installed duplex receptacles. Also have to change the raised industrial covers to accommodate the GFCIs.
Click to expand...

Was this a designed job and didn't show the GFI receptacles on the drawings or did you design it yourself and submit a quote on that?

JAP>
 
I think inspector is incorrect about 547 but I still think 511 prolly applies.

I have a hard time thinking that these boats and RVs will not get worked on by the owners/renters.

I am seeing minor repairs with portable tools in my head.
 
By rights a trickle charger is a diagnostic tool in itself.

I don't know of a newer model that doesn't show a discharged, fully charged or charging by an indicator light of some sort.


JAP>
 
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