hot water heater clarification

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riverjig87

riverjig87

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Minot, North Dakota, USA
First, I want to say this is an awesome site and I have improved my education further because of it. I just completed my apprenticeship from the IBEW, and this site is an invaluable tool.

Pertaining to hot water heaters, what is your interpretation of the code relating to location?
It is a "normal" water heater, but we wired a switch/gfi receptacle box 1' away for a recirculating pump. The box is a surface mounted 4S box with a GFCI receptacle and switch, both 20amp rated, with a industrial coverplate. The "inspector" wants it to be wet location rated because the water source.

We have been dealing with this inspector for 2 years. He does not know how to read or interpret our code correctly.I basically need to provide evidence, which basically states our situation explicitly in the code. I need to provide documentation to basically prove him wrong. The unfortunate thing is, that our code is sometimes generalized and doesn't state specific installations. And, in his eyes, if it doesn't say it right there, so to speak, than were at fault. Being that he is J.H.A, and its completly up to him how he interprets it, we have the task of playing teacher. Please help. I would appreciate all the feedback I can get. Anything would help .Thank you
 
Re: hot water heater clarification

The water heater itself and the wiring to it doesn't have to be suitable for a wet location so why would the areas surrounding it need to be? The definition of wet location in A100 doesn't even indicate an area near or next to a wet location as being a wet location.
 
Re: hot water heater clarification

Try showing him the definition of a wet location.
Location, Wet. Installations under ground 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.

If his reasoning is that it could accidently become wet then everything is in a wet location. The roof could get blown off in a storm and rain could come in.
 
Re: hot water heater clarification

if he has failed you he must give a code section, ask for that first, if he cannot or will not give you a code section, go to his boss.

new scott, these pathetic stories also include contractors.
 
Re: hot water heater clarification

Originally posted by mpd:
new scott, these pathetic stories also include contractors.
Click to expand...
Not to worry I have never seen New or Old Scott cut a contractor a break that did something stupid. :D
 
Re: hot water heater clarification

If you give in you`ll be at his mercy forever.A 4 sq in a inside location is not required to be rated for a wet location .Ask for a code reference , art # etc. just the I say so doesn`t cut the mustard.
 
Re: hot water heater clarification

It is your right to have the Inspector site the code section that has been violated in writing it is then it is up to you to accept it or appeal it. There is no such thing as this is how you do it in my town.

Good luck romeo
 
Re: hot water heater clarification

It is your right to have the Inspector site the code section that has been violated in writing it is then it is up to you to accept it or appeal it. There is no such thing as this is how you do it in my town.

Good luck romeo
 
Re: hot water heater clarification

Originally posted by mpd:
new scott, these pathetic stories also include contractors.
Click to expand...
Agreed. Not this story however. This is inspector cuckoo.
 
Re: hot water heater clarification

Well, thanks for all the advice. It is advice I had known, tried, and to no success, lost. It is a matter of his way or the highway at this point. To go over his head, would, in my opinion introduce a plethora of problems. We decided, since it is the last, and only issue on our punch list, to abide. I found out that it is the school district itself, that "requested " the wet location change. Its basically someone who doesn't know anything about our trade trying to act as if he does.

Please see my post about DSA inspectors. I really need advice or suggestions there. That is where our problem lies.
 
Re: hot water heater clarification

This would be like saying the receptacles in the wall behind a washer is a wet location,

Here are the NEC difinations:

Location, Dry. A location not normally subject to dampness or wetness. A location classified as dry may be temporarily subject to dampness or wetness, as in the case of a building under construction.
Click to expand...
Would it be "normal" for this area to be wet? I would say it would not as it is concidered a dry location unless somthing went wrong which would be abnormal. I don't even think this the pump is listed for a wet location?

Location, Damp. Locations protected from weather and not subject to saturation with water or other liquids but subject to moderate degrees of moisture. Examples of such locations include partially protected locations under canopies, marquees, roofed open porches, and like locations, and interior locations subject to moderate degrees of moisture, such as some basements, some barns, and some cold-storage warehouses.
Click to expand...
Location, Wet. Installations under ground 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.
Click to expand...
I would say this means that this area will normaly saturated with water in the norm, I dont think that a leaking pipe or fitting is normal, the plumber gets called back if that happens, Or would this inspector say "it's ok it's normal" :eek:
 
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