Ground fault protection

[Diver94]

I just finished a small pump station with a package pump unit contained in a concrete block building. A 225 amp service, 3 convenience receptacles, 2 lights, and one 240 volt simplex receptacle for a plug in heater. There were no plans or specs. I protected all the 120 volt receptacles with GFCI receptacles. The inspector told me he considered the building a wet location, and required a ground fault breaker for the dedicated 240 volt simplex receptacle for the heater. Was he correct? I am never against personnel safety, but I am not sure he is correct. I did install the breaker to get the job completed, but I would like to know for my own curiosity. Thanks.

 

[infinity]

The inspector told me he considered the building a wet location, and required a ground fault breaker for the dedicated 240 volt simplex receptacle for the heater

What code cycles are you on? The 2020 added damp locations to the list of required areas for GFCI protection. Here's the definition from Article 100 does it fit your location?

Location, Wet.
Installations underground or in concrete slabs or masonry in direct contact with the earth; in locations subject to saturation with water or other liquids, such as vehicle washing areas; and in unprotected locations exposed to weather.

 

[Diver94]

What code cycles are you on? The 2020 added damp locations to the list of required areas for GFCI protection. Here's the definition from Article 100 does it fit your location?

The location of this installation is in a concrete block building built on a concrete slab. The outlet serving the heater was 4 feet above the slab. The conduit never went "into" the slab or block wall.

 

[rc/retired]

I wouldn't call the inside of the building a wet location. With that, what code cycle are you under?

Ron

 

[suemarkp]

I don't see it as being much different than a detached garage or basement or damp area -- the concrete floor being the main driver. 210.8(B) requires GFCI receptacles up to 250V and 50A (100A if 3 phase) for indoor damp or wet locations; garages, accessory buildings, service bays, and similar areas; unfinished areas of basements.

 

[BarryO]

I don't see it as being much different than a detached garage or basement or damp area -- the concrete floor being the main driver. 210.8(B) requires GFCI receptacles up to 250V and 50A (100A if 3 phase) for indoor damp or wet locations; garages, accessory buildings, service bays, and similar areas; unfinished areas of basements.

Yes the issue is concrete floors in contact with the earth at or below grade.

 

[infinity]

I don't see it as being much different than a detached garage or basement or damp area -- the concrete floor being the main driver. 210.8(B) requires GFCI receptacles up to 250V and 50A (100A if 3 phase) for indoor damp or wet locations; garages, accessory buildings, service bays, and similar areas; unfinished areas of basements.

The building in the OP is not a damp location as described.

 

[suemarkp]

The building in the OP is not a damp location as described.

Hard to say. The NEC definition of damp location is rather vague. Concrete floors and walls are a good first step. If the pump is moving cold water all the time, there could be condensation and dripping from the pipes onto the floor making it damp. If this pump building is in the desert, then may it isn't damp. Would agree it is not a wet location though.

 

[qcroanoke]

Hard to say. The NEC definition of damp location is rather vague. Concrete floors and walls are a good first step. If the pump is moving cold water all the time, there could be condensation and dripping from the pipes onto the floor making it damp. If this pump building is in the desert, then may it isn't damp. Would agree it is not a wet location though.

I agree.
It's whatever the inspector says it is unless you want to go over his head.
I know. I know.

 

[infinity]

Hard to say. The NEC definition of damp location is rather vague. Concrete floors and walls are a good first step. If the pump is moving cold water all the time, there could be condensation and dripping from the pipes onto the floor making it damp. If this pump building is in the desert, then may it isn't damp. Would agree it is not a wet location though.

I agree the definition is not great. If the pipes in a commercial occupancy are condensing they should be insulated.

 

[Diver94]

We are currently under 2020, and Kentucky is adopting 2023 Jan 1. Interestingly, Kentucky is excluding the 240 volt outlet provision in this section of the code when they adopt 2023, so it is not being used now. The inspector's rational for making me change to a GFCI breaker was that he had seen a different pump station with standing water from a flood. I think he couldn't find anything else to catch me on, so he used this. Live and learn.

 

[hillbilly1]

We are currently under 2020, and Kentucky is adopting 2023 Jan 1. Interestingly, Kentucky is excluding the 240 volt outlet provision in this section of the code when they adopt 2023, so it is not being used now. The inspector's rational for making me change to a GFCI breaker was that he had seen a different pump station with standing water from a flood. I think he couldn't find anything else to catch me on, so he used this. Live and learn.

If that’s his excuse, then all of Biltmore Village NC would require gfci!

 

[infinity]

We are currently under 2020, and Kentucky is adopting 2023 Jan 1. Interestingly, Kentucky is excluding the 240 volt outlet provision in this section of the code when they adopt 2023, so it is not being used now. The inspector's rational for making me change to a GFCI breaker was that he had seen a different pump station with standing water from a flood. I think he couldn't find anything else to catch me on, so he used this. Live and learn.

So did all of the receptacles and switches have wet location covers on them? Something filling with water after an incident does not meet the NEC definition of a wet location.