MA Ammendment 406.9(C)

[barkett519]

Hello everyone just to clarify MA has ammended 406.9(C) making it code compliant to have a receptacle within 3 feet of a shower as long as it is not "within"? Can someone verify this inspector is telling me it cannot be within 3 feet and MA code guys out there. Thank you!

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Their amendments are online ... found this with a quick search:

406.9(C). Replace the entire content with the following sentence: "Receptacles shall not be installed within
or directly over a bathtub or shower stall."

 

[JohnE]

What Don quoted is exactly as it appears in the official version as well. The official version is stamped from the State Bookstore.

 

[infinity]

Their amendments are online ... found this with a quick search:

I wish the NEC were this smart. The NEC code change was just another solution in search of a problem without substantiation.

 

[Elect117]

Doesn't that rule keep people from dropping their toaster in the bath? Or showering with a blow dryer?

 

[infinity]

Doesn't that rule keep people from dropping their toaster in the bath? Or showering with a blow dryer?

Toaster? Okay I know that you're kidding. A blow dryer can have a 10' cord so 3' isn't going to make any difference.

 

[Elect117]

lol

But in all seriousness, I thought that was the reason why. To limit the possibility of using plugged in items while in the bath / shower.

 

[infinity]

lol

But in all seriousness, I thought that was the reason why. To limit the possibility of using plugged in items while in the bath / shower.

I think that is the intent but there has never been a limit of the distance that the receptacle has to be from the edge and even without the 3' rule is there any substantiation for the code change? Are there documented cases of injuries where the receptacle was say only 12" from the edge? The receptacle is already required to be GFCI protected.