GFI's in Commercial kitchens

[e57]

Having a debate with someone about the GFI requirements in Commercial kitchens. Say you have a 120/16A coffee machine, does it need to have GFI protection? What if it is a single outlet? What if it's a "twist-lock"? What if it's hard wired?

My answers are YES,YES, YES, and NO....

For the poll above I say All of the above.

 

[sandsnow]

If we are talking about a kitchen at Denny's then yes we need GFCI

If we are talking about a counter with a sink and a coffee pot in an office, then no GFCI required.

 

[rcarroll]

I agree with your post. The 02 code was explicit with the requirements & the 05 code defines a kitchen. No debate needed. However, I think your poll needs tweaking. I can have a 125V 30A recep., twist lock or single that does not require GFI protecton. JMO

 

[e57]

Yes you can have a 30A with no GFI, but the question was 20A. Or 20a hard-wired.....

Other Codes also define a kitchen as an area where "food preperation" is done. So if you have a "sink and a coffee pot in an office" and a microwave, or hot plate, that could be considered a Kitchen or Kitchenete. Up to AHJ on that, IMO.

ANYWAY... You see, I have this PM..... Who can't figure out why I put a dead front GFI next all the equipment recepticals. (She also cant figure out why I put single recepts at equipment over 15A.) So I tell her why.... And point her to the right code, even with the commentary from the NFPA, and she still doesn't buy it, wants to call the inspector, who I tell her that I have already talked to about the issue, and she still wants to call.... It's like beating a dead horse, which she is very good at. I only post items like this to see if I am nuts or not. Really this is just a sanity check.... Thank you for indulging.