Min height of garage outlets?

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I agree with kw, I hear this a lot that they need to be at 48" or above 18" neither of which would apply to a residential garage. It's a design issue not a code issue.
 
The mechanical code requires appliances having an ignition source shall be elevated such that the source of ignition (spark) is not less than 18" above the floor of a garage. Yes, this is a residential garage.
"Spark" is part of the definition of ignition source in the mechanical code.
Please don't shoot the messenger. :)
 
rcarroll said:
The mechanical code requires appliances having an ignition source shall be elevated such that the source of ignition (spark) is not less than 18" above the floor of a garage. Yes, this is a residential garage.
"Spark" is part of the definition of ignition source in the mechanical code.
Please don't shoot the messenger. :)
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A receptacle is not an appliance. :)
 
Having source of ignition 18" above the floor is for the possibility of gasoline leaking out of vehicles and being ignited.

So, only appliances (pilot lights, thermostats [so, no electric baseboard with integral thermostat:thumbsup:]) or other sources of sparks that occur without human involvement are considered for this rule.

If you are smelling gasoline and stoop to plug in some equipment in a receptacle 6" off the floor, that is on you, not the code!

Myself I like garage receptacles up high so I do not have to stoop to use them, but that is personal requirement, not NEC.
 
rcarroll said:
The mechanical code requires appliances having an ignition source shall be elevated such that the source of ignition (spark) is not less than 18" above the floor of a garage. Yes, this is a residential garage.
"Spark" is part of the definition of ignition source in the mechanical code.
Please don't shoot the messenger. :)
Click to expand...
shoot the messanger.jpg
 
I find it amusing how dangerous the first 18" above the floor in commercial garages is supposed to be,though they changed the rules a little from what they once were to major and minor repair facilities, yet in a lot of those facilities they weld, cut, grind and do other activities that might ignite those vapors quite frequently. Arranging raceways to prevent vapor migration through them I am not opposed to though.
 
When I had my shop built, I put all the receptacles so the top of the box was 48 inches above the floor. Made it easier to reach, also easier for the sheetrockers to see. And no, they didn't sheetrock right over any of them.
 
GerryB said:
Mc, like romex, is subject to physical damage. Inspectors in my area (not all) will fail it in an unfinished garage down low, so we keep everything above 4 feet.
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That be what they see things like where you are. "Subject to physical damage" is subject to differences in opinion/interpretation. Some may think it is still subject to physical damage at 4 feet, others will even say anything under 8 feet...

If in one of those places you can always add physical protection, use raceways, etc. but there is no minimum height restriction for a general use receptacle in a dwelling unit garage.
 
My personal choice (when asked) is either 48" to the top OR bottom. That way, for those who run sheetrock horizontal, they just have to notch one instead of putting a hole in the middle somewhere.
 
MAC702 said:
My personal choice (when asked) is either 48" to the top OR bottom. That way, for those who run sheetrock horizontal, they just have to notch one instead of putting a hole in the middle somewhere.
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But you need total wall height of 96" for that to come out right either way.

92 5/8 stud plus two top plates and a sole plate gives you 97 1/8" high wall. If you have 5/8 ceiling applied first then you only have 1/2" left over. If you have ceiling that isn't even close to 8 feet (which might be more likely in the garage) you will likely cut in middle somewhere anyway.
 
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