liquid soap dispenser over GFCI outlets

[Dale Sharp]

I am having a issue with housekeeping. They keep putting liquid soap dispensers above the GFCI outlets in the restrooms. The soap drips into the outlets and it does one of two things. First, it ruins the outlet and no power is available. Second, the trip mechanism won't work. The second reason is my major concern because of the danger of electric shock.

I am having a trouble locating the part of the code that covers this. I believe it is a code violation, but I can't find it.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I don't think the nec covers placement of soap dispensers. Educate the installers or move your outlets.

 

[iwire]

There is no NEC section regarding soap dispenser placement.

I might use 110.12(C) which prohibits electrical equipment from being contaminated with cleaners, abrasives or corrosive residues.

 

[iwire]

For what it is worth it may be easier to move the receptacles than trying to get housekeeping to follow the NEC. :grin:

 

[brian john]

Hey maybe house keping is just trying to keep the GFCI outlets clean. Makes it easier on them, presoaped and a little water makes for easy clean up and they are GFCI's, though hot to neutral soap shorts might caused a problem.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Dale,

Second, the trip mechanism won't work.

I expect that you mean that the test button doesn't work. Soap on the exterior should not interfere with the electronics inside.
Don

 

[infinity]

Who uses a receptacle in a restroom anyway?

 

[stickboy1375]

Remove the GFI and install a blank plate...

 

[Dale Sharp]

This is in a nursing home setting with a restroom that is shared by many individuals. The sinks with the outlets are for the patients to shave themselves with electric razor. There is not a lot of room for a mirror, sink, outlet and soap dispenser. The wall is a brick wall and we have discuss moving the outlets higher, but some of the patients are in wheelchairs. We have suggested rechargable or manual razors. We did have a situation where one outlet was full of liquid soap. One of the housekeepers threw water in it to clean it out. There were sparks, but the GFCI DID NOT trip out. At this moment, the GFCI are removed until we can decide on the safe solution.

 

[brian john]

The GFI will not trip on a phase to neutral short. Any chance they might be convinced to grow beards, very becoming on older gents, on the women that is another issue.

 

[hockeyoligist2]

 

[allenwayne]

A normal homeowner will tear those up in a heart beat could you imagine in a situation as described.

Confounded new inventions !!!!! Back in my day we just hooked the wires to what we were using, sparks or no sparks

 

[Dale Sharp]

Weatherproof covers were also discussed, but we wonder would they keep the cover down like they are suppose to. If they throw water in a LIVE outlet, are they smart enough to operate a weatherproof box????

 

[stickboy1375]

http://www.lectralock.com/benefits.htm

Worth a look...

 

[George Stolz]

Stick, that looks like a pretty cool product for this application.

And if it comes in pastels, I'm definutely on board!

 

[stickboy1375]

I thought the pastels were a real seller also...

 

[FISCHER]

Soap

Soap

Take out the GFCI and put in a regular plug. Tell them to have a ball !!!!!
They will get the message.

 

[mattsilkwood]

stick, pretty cool product

 

[boboelectric]

Don't upset housekeeping or they will forget to replace the t.p.

Bob O.84,Pa.15330

 

[realolman]

Can't YOU move the soap dispenser?

I work around some dopes, (they say the same thing ) but it's hard to imagine anyone not understanding wet recepticals.