I have a new building to be constructed in a 100 year floodplain. The architect believes that all of the receptacles should be gfi type and mounted above the 100 year flood water line. He has indicated that he heard this somewhere before. I can find nothing in the NEC or the IBC referencing buildings in a flood plain and gfi protection. Do you know of anything that would required this? In my mind normal electrical construction is all that is required.
gfi receptacles
- Thread starter tcarlins
- Start date
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rcarroll
Senior Member
- Location
- Fort Collins, Colorado
Re: gfi receptacles
I agree with you. GFI on all receps is not necessary. Ron
I agree with you. GFI on all receps is not necessary. Ron
bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: gfi receptacles
GFCI protection has very little to do with rising waters during a flood. However, there are strange rules and requirements when dealing with barrier island and coastal flood zones when it comes to mounting of equipment. Nothing that stringent though.
GFCI protection has very little to do with rising waters during a flood. However, there are strange rules and requirements when dealing with barrier island and coastal flood zones when it comes to mounting of equipment. Nothing that stringent though.
electricmanscott
Senior Member
- Location
- Boston, MA
- Occupation
- Massachusetts Master Electrician, one man show.
Re: gfi receptacles
What a kook.
I might suggest life preservers along with the usual fire extinguishers.
What a kook.
I might suggest life preservers along with the usual fire extinguishers.
LawnGuyLandSparky
Senior Member
Re: gfi receptacles
Why doesn't he just design a house that floats? You know, like a house boat?
Why doesn't he just design a house that floats? You know, like a house boat?
marinesgt0411
Senior Member
- Location
- Naples,FL 34110-9285
Re: gfi receptacles
I would also suggest a life raft at each entrance
strmtrpr73
Member
Re: gfi receptacles
The flood issue would be a local one. (Building requirements). Where I am, even though we have County electrical inspections, they didn't enforce the county's flood requirements on some of the Islands. Instead they would follow the Island's flood requirements. County requires 2' above MSL(Mean Sea Level). for all electrical, and Mechanical equipment. Now if you have receptacles, or switches that are below the line, we have to install them as high as we can , and still meet NEC height requirements, GFCI at the source( Breaker), and use a wiring method suitable for a wet location. The thought behind GFCI protection in these areas, is that the GFCI if wet will trip more quickly, than a standard breaker.
The flood issue would be a local one. (Building requirements). Where I am, even though we have County electrical inspections, they didn't enforce the county's flood requirements on some of the Islands. Instead they would follow the Island's flood requirements. County requires 2' above MSL(Mean Sea Level). for all electrical, and Mechanical equipment. Now if you have receptacles, or switches that are below the line, we have to install them as high as we can , and still meet NEC height requirements, GFCI at the source( Breaker), and use a wiring method suitable for a wet location. The thought behind GFCI protection in these areas, is that the GFCI if wet will trip more quickly, than a standard breaker.
LawnGuyLandSparky
Senior Member
Re: gfi receptacles
Are electrical accidents common during floods and heavy storms? I would think that there would be more reports of that sorta thing after Katrina, but I haven't heard any.
I remember footage of people swimming along the rooftops at primary line height, and no one is getting zapped.
Are electrical accidents common during floods and heavy storms? I would think that there would be more reports of that sorta thing after Katrina, but I haven't heard any.
I remember footage of people swimming along the rooftops at primary line height, and no one is getting zapped.
allenwayne
Senior Member
Re: gfi receptacles
We do alot of work in BFE base flood elevations areas.What gets me is that while the internal wiring of a residence is required to conform to gfci protection to conform the utility side isn`t a NEC issue.So the meter can be below the flood plain but the disc. and what follows has to comply but the meter can be below the flood plain unless the poco has rules contrary.Our poco dosen`t cover this issue so the meter is allowed where a receptacle non gfci isn`t.
We do alot of work in BFE base flood elevations areas.What gets me is that while the internal wiring of a residence is required to conform to gfci protection to conform the utility side isn`t a NEC issue.So the meter can be below the flood plain but the disc. and what follows has to comply but the meter can be below the flood plain unless the poco has rules contrary.Our poco dosen`t cover this issue so the meter is allowed where a receptacle non gfci isn`t.
Re: gfi receptacles
I get people staying stuff to me about recptacle height in finished basements, cause what if it floods.?..............My respone is "If you have water in here up to these recps. getting them wet is the least of your worrys. :roll:
I get people staying stuff to me about recptacle height in finished basements, cause what if it floods.?..............My respone is "If you have water in here up to these recps. getting them wet is the least of your worrys. :roll:
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: gfi receptacles
If above flood level then where is the problem ? Even if it is gfci protected i would hope nobody would be standing in water and trying to use the outlets.Does this guy smoke wacky weed ? :roll:
If above flood level then where is the problem ? Even if it is gfci protected i would hope nobody would be standing in water and trying to use the outlets.Does this guy smoke wacky weed ? :roll:
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