NEC 210.8.B.6, GFCI receptacles required in Floor Boxes?

[Shujinko]

NEC 210.8.B.6 requires GFCI protection for receptacles at "indoor wet locations". Recently I had a project where the contractor installed floor boxes with GFCI receptacles. I told him to replace the GFCI receptacles with duplex receptacles with no GFCI protection to avoid nuisance tripping. However, he brought to my attention that anything installed in a concrete slab is considered a wet location and that receptacles in a floor box have to be GFCI type by code.

The definition for a wet location in the NEC states the following:

"Location, Wet. Installations underground 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."

The AHJ's locally here in my area of Florida are not enforcing this interpretation of the code. I would like to see what our other people have been experiencing in reference to this subject matter. Any input?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I have not come across that interpretation either

 

[infinity]

A GFCI is protecting the location of the user not the raceway.

 

[McLintock]

I would say that a house on a concrete slab is different a concrete slab outside. An indoor slab, although in contact with the earth, would not be saturated with water if the house itself is built to code.

This is a place where the intent of the code and the letter of the code are different.


“ shoot low boys their riding shetland ponies”

 

[Shujinko]

The contractor says that it’s for personnel protection in case that the fire sprinkler system goes off and the floor boxes flood. But in that case everyone will be evacuated from the building. Nevertheless, this should be clarified in the code. I think it isn’t totally clear what the intent is. And if it is a wet location then the receptacles would need to be rated for a wet location use.

 

[infinity]

The contractor says that it’s for personnel protection in case that the fire sprinkler system goes off and the floor boxes flood. But in that case everyone will be evacuated from the building. Nevertheless, this should be clarified in the code. I think it isn’t totally clear what the intent is. And if it is a wet location then the receptacles would need to be rated for a wet location use.

The location of the floor box is a dry location by NEC definition IMO that is pretty clear, a wet location would require a WR listed receptacle and an in-use style cover on the floor box which would border on ridiculous. What if's like "if the sprinkler goes off" are not part of the code. Although someone may have good intentions with wanting to exceed the code it's simply not required.

 

[kwired]

I agree it might not be clear if this is a wet location or not, I don't believe this was intended to be considered a wet location unless it were a floor that regularly got washed with a hose and not just occasional mopping.

Presuming it is not considered wet location, nothing in code disallows GFCI protection or GFCI type receptacle to be installed either.

2020 NEC would require GFCI in a basement - finished or not.

 

[infinity]

The location of the floor box is in a dry location. How the conduit and wire got there is irrelevant. If I run a piece of PVC on the outside of the house for an AC receptacle in a bedroom does that make the bedroom a wet location?