GFI In Bathroom Vanity

[Hawsie]

Can an additional GFI receptacle be installed inside an enclosed vanity cabinet that is closer than 3ft to an adjacent bathtub?

 

[Little Bill]

This is more of a code question so I am allowing this thread. Please keep replies code related.

 

[tom baker]

A receptacle only needs to be GFCI protected, the 2020 NEC adds an interesting change on the distance to a tub or shower, it now has to be 6 ft

 

[infinity]

Are you under the 2020 NEC? A minimum of 3' is required from the tub. This new section makes no mention of an exception for when the receptacle is within a cabinet and less than 3'

406.9(C) Bathtub and Shower Space.
Receptacles shall not be instal⁠led within a zone measured 900 mm (3 ft) horizontally and 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold. The identified zone is all-encompassing and shall include the space directly over the tub or shower stall.

 

[Hawsie]

A receptacle only needs to be GFCI protected, the 2020 NEC adds an interesting change on the distance to a tub or shower, it now has to be 6 ft

Are you under the 2020 NEC? A minimum of 3' is required from the tub. This new section makes no mention of an exception for when the receptacle is within a cabinet and less than 3'

Are you under the 2020 NEC? A minimum of 3' is required from the tub. This new section makes no mention of an exception for when the receptacle is within a cabinet and less than 3'

@infinity, Thanks for providing the new code language. I see the new code says "(3 ft) horizontally and 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold. The top rim of tub I am installing is 20" A.F.F.
Would that mean if I install the top of the device in the cabinet below 20", that I would be in compliance?

 

[LarryFine]

Are you under the 2020 NEC? A minimum of 3' is required from the tub. This new section makes no mention of an exception for when the receptacle is within a cabinet and less than 3'

I'm guessing the 3' is to exceed an arm reach.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

@infinity, Thanks for providing the new code language. I see the new code says "(3 ft) horizontally and 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold. The top rim of tub I am installing is 20" A.F.F.
Would that mean if I install the top of the device in the cabinet below 20", that I would be in compliance?

Take a cord and measure a line as the cord would follow. 3' from the tub even inside a cabinet is non-compliant also a receptacle inside a cabinet will not satisfy the code rule for a receptacle within 3' of the sink even if the receptacle is within 3' of the sink.

 

[infinity]

@infinity, Thanks for providing the new code language. I see the new code says "(3 ft) horizontally and 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold. The top rim of tub I am installing is 20" A.F.F.
Would that mean if I install the top of the device in the cabinet below 20", that I would be in compliance?

Although probably not the original intent of this rule if it's below the rim of the tub it's outside of the tub zone.

 

[Hawsie]

Although probably not the original intent of this rule if it's below the rim of the tub it's outside of the tub zone.

I am interpreting it visually, (not to scale).

 

[infinity]

I am interpreting it visually, View attachment 2557993 (not to scale).

Anything below the pink box is outside of the zone. Where is the required receptacle going to be installed? It could go past the left edge of the vanity.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Although probably not the original intent of this rule if it's below the rim of the tub it's outside of the tub zone.

Here is the cmp enhanced content

The installation of receptacles inside bathtub and shower spaces or above their footprint is prohibited, even if the receptacle is installed in a weatherproof enclosure or is GFCI protected. The unprotected-line side of GFCI-protected receptacles installed in bathtub and shower spaces could become wet and therefore create a shock hazard by energizing surrounding wet surfaces. Prohibiting such installation helps minimize the use of shavers, radios, hair dryers, and so forth in these areas.

 

[infinity]

Here is the cmp enhanced content

I'm not sure what that is telling us. It mentions the space above the shower or tub but not the 3' x 8' zone.

 

[Hawsie]

Anything below the pink box is outside of the zone. Where is the required receptacle going to be installed? It could go past the left edge of the vanity.

The intention was to feed the concealed power supply for 12V neon rope to backlight a glass sink. That would be it's sole function. It's not intended as the primary GFI receptacle in the bathroom

 

[infinity]

The intention was to feed the concealed power supply for 12V neon rope to backlight a glass sink. That would be it's sole function. It's not intended as the primary GFI receptacle in the bathroom

I see no issue. Are you under the 2020 NEC?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I'm not sure what that is telling us. It mentions the space above the shower or tub but not the 3' x 8' zone.

I thought it was including the footprint which starts at the floor IMO

 

[infinity]

The footprint and the zone are two separate things. The GFCI requirement for the 3x8 zone begins at the rim of the tub not the floor.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

The footprint and the zone are two separate things. The GFCI requirement for the 3x8 zone begins at the rim of the tub not the floor.

So you are saying in this image if there weren't a cabinet there I could have a receptacle right below the zone 1" from the tub? As shown-- it won't cover the vanity placement but I want one there. According to you I think you are saying one can go there

 

[Hawsie]

I see no issue. Are you under the 2020 NEC?

I believe we are still under NEC 2017, but I worry about the sometimes arbitrary opinions of electrical inspectors. I figured if I adhere to the latest and greatest code version, I have less chance of getting something knocked down.

 

[infinity]

So you are saying in this image if there weren't a cabinet there I could have a receptacle right below the zone 1" from the tub? As shown-- it won't cover the vanity placement but I want one there. According to you I think you are saying one can go there

Here's the 2020 code wording, it clearly states that the prohibited zone for the receptacle is measured up 8' from the tub rim. As I said earlier that might not have been the intent but that's what it says.

406.9(C) Bathtub and Shower Space.
Receptacles shall not be instal⁠led within a zone measured 900 mm (3 ft) horizontally and 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold. The identified zone is all-encompassing and shall include the space directly over the tub or shower stall.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Here's the 2020 code wording, it clearly states that the prohibited zone for the receptacle is measured up 8' from the tub rim. As I said earlier that might not have been the intent but that's what it says.

I hear you but IMO, the statement in the enhanced area clears it up for me