Grandfather rules for separate circuits GFCI

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lbastida

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I own a duplex built in 1986 and it's currently for sale. The bathrooms currently DO have GFCI protection in the wall outlets. The home inspector stated that the GFCI outlets must be on a separate circuit from the other outlets - ie, the lights in the bathroom. If the GFCI trips then the lights in the bathroom also go out. Is it really necessary to run separate circuits. Is there some kind of grandfather exemption? It seems this is more of a nuisance issue than a safety issue. The GFCI protection is there it's just that if the hair dryer trips the circuit then the lights will also go out until it's reset. What is the danger there?
 
Re: Grandfather rules for separate circuits GFCI

Unless you have laws that require you to rebuild your house everytime there is a code change you are fine.
The home inspector is going a bit overboard.
 
Re: Grandfather rules for separate circuits GFCI

Home inspectors will red flag everything that doesn't meet the codes as they exist today. This is one of my biggest gripes with them. While the recommendations may provide additional occupant safety if they were followed through with, often they just cause unnecessary expense for the seller. The current NEC does permit the receptacles and lights in a SINGLE bathroom to be on the same circuit as long as that circuit doesn't serve any other loads outside that single bathroom. Whether or not you also GFCI protect the lighting is a design issue and not a code issue (unless the lighting is over the tub). The home inspector's reccommendation in this instance may be without merit.

[ December 16, 2005, 03:56 PM: Message edited by: mdshunk ]
 
Re: Grandfather rules for separate circuits GFCI

Here is the way the rule works:
</font>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">If a circuit provides power to one bathroom, and to no other room, then that circuit is allowed to power anything located within that bathroom. It can power the receptacle by the sink and the overhead light and the fan.</font>
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The thought here is that if you drop the hair dryer and trip the circuit, thereby loosing your overhead lights, then you will not have lost the lights in the hallway outside. They figure you can safely find the bathroom door from inside a dark bathroom, and safely find your way to the hall light switch.
</font>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">A circuit that provides power to a bathroom receptacle is not allowed to provide power to any room other than bathrooms.</font>
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Among other reasons, the thought here is that if you trip the receptacle in the bathroom, you don't want to lose the hallway lights or any other lights in the house.

And finally, </font>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">If a circuit provides power to more than one bathroom, then it can only provide power to the receptacle outlets in those bathrooms.</font>
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The thought here is that if you trip the receptacle in one bathroom, then you are standing there when it happens, and you will know what happened. But if it also trips the lights in another bathroom while someone is in there, then they will suddenly find themselves in the dark with no explanation and no way to fix the problem.
 
Re: Grandfather rules for separate circuits GFCI

Whether or not you also GFCI protect the lighting is a design issue and not a code issue (unless the lighting is over the tub).
Click to expand...
Even a light over the tub does not require GFCI protection according to the NEC.
 
Re: Grandfather rules for separate circuits GFCI

Many cities/states will have a completely separate code for "existing" properties under-going re-sale or renovation.
The re-sales, usually, require changing non-GFCI recept. to GFCI protected ones - common spots bath, kitchen, exterior(also gets the "in-use" cover).
The renovations codes can get a bit tricky. They will sometimes "grandfather" existing portions PROVIDED a certain percentage of the original structure remains in tact.

A Home Inspector saying that "the GFCI outlets must be on a separate circuit" truly shows his ignorance about the code. He may know the CURRENT codes, but NOT the previous codes - nor the "rehab/re-sale code". I can't say with any certainty that in '86 the bath outlet was allowed to be on with other circuits (before my time) - but I have a reasonable suspicion that it was allowed. As an EC, I would NEVER represent to a client on a resale that "the GFCI outlets must be on a separate circuit" - that is just wrong. I suspect this particular Inspector was NOT a member of ASHI.

I do not know what state you are from, but NJ has a "rehab code" which details what changes will be grandfathered". Here is an interesting article to that point:
Rules That Make Sense?New Jersey?s Rehabilitation Subcode
 
Re: Grandfather rules for separate circuits GFCI

The only resale items in MA are smoke detectors and now cabon monoxide detectors.
 
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