Does NEC Article 210.52 "Dwelling Unit Receptacle Outlets" apply to a college dormitory? Article 100 defines a "Dwelling Unit: A single unit, providing complete and independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, cooking and sanitation." The dormitory in question contains no bathroom, kitchen or cooking provisions. Specifically, we are attempting to determine if the NEC requires adding a minimum number of outlets for a total renovation of an existing dormitory.
Is a dormitory a dwelling unit?
- Thread starter jeffleav
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- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
You've answered your own question. If it does not meet the definition of dwelling unit then its not. But a dorm, IMO, should have ample receptacles.
jack horner
Banned
- Location
- America
jeffleav said:
Yes it is a dwelling unit. It has a "R" occupancy. By the way where is the ground electrode to be installed?
jack horner
Banned
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- America
I believe thats what I said. They are "R" occupancies.celtic said:
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Perhaps true, but certainly irrelevant. The question had to do with NEC requirements, and the NEC does not talk in terms of ?occupancies.? The NEC defines ?dwelling unit,? as shown above, and gives requirements for dwelling units. A dorm does not meet that definition, so the rules for dwelling units do not apply.jack horner said:
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Forget the recep. --- a dorm, IMO, ought to have a bathroom-- I can't imagine a sleeping quarters where there is no bathroom. What do you do when you want to brush your teeth or PEE--- Go out in the woods. Anyway-- I agree it is not a dwelling unit but should have ample circuits as well as receptacles.tom baker said:
Ample recepts?
I would say ample CIRCUITS.
Barring a change in the NEC, we are left to our own definition of what "ample" is ~ be it circuits or recepts.
One can only imagine what a student will have in that room:
- hairdryer
- micro
- tv
- radio
- clock/radio/alarm
- computer and peripherals
- obligitory neon "BEER" sign
- etc
The room could have a recept every 12" and still manage to trip it's CB.
I would say ample CIRCUITS.
Barring a change in the NEC, we are left to our own definition of what "ample" is ~ be it circuits or recepts.
One can only imagine what a student will have in that room:
- hairdryer
- micro
- tv
- radio
- clock/radio/alarm
- computer and peripherals
- obligitory neon "BEER" sign
- etc
The room could have a recept every 12" and still manage to trip it's CB.
jack horner
Banned
- Location
- America
charlie b said:
Yes you are correct about what the NEC states, but all dwelling units are type R occupancies. So as far as how to enforce this I would look at these as if they were hotel/motel units. If they had small kitchens and baths then I would treat them differently.
pismo
Banned
- Location
- Pismo Beach
You are correct as far as the NEC defining dwelling units. The occupancy is determined by the use of the building. The use is based on the building code which in this case would be an R occupancy, perhaps a congregate residence. Even though the NEC doesn't determine the occupancy we must adhere to what the building code/architect indicate as what the use is.charlie b said:
mvannevel
Senior Member
- Location
- Hesperia, Michigan
For the application of the NEC requirements for receptacle outlets, we only need to adhere to the definition provided for dwelling units in the NEC. The building code classifies a dormitory as an R-2 occupancy and a hotel or motel as an R-1 occupancy. That will determine the construction of the structure which, in turn, may determine what wiring methods we use, but not our requirements for receptacle outlets.pismo said:
Article 210.60(A) and (B) for Guest Rooms will determine our requirements. And, basically, that means we comply with 210.52(A) and (D). In this instance, 210.52(D) won't even come into play since there are no bathrooms in the rooms. 210.60(B) gives us some leeway on receptacle placement as long as the total number of outlets would comply with what is required in 210.52(A). Usually that only comes into play when you have furniture which is permanently attatched (which is sometimes the case in dorm rooms). Simple as that.
210.70(B) will determine our requirements for lighting outlets.
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