receptacle in flood zone

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My opinion is that some things should simply be designed for easy replacement in the event of a flood, rather than being 'flood resistant'.

The elevator pit receptacle is there for service and maintenance, not meant to be used when the building is flooded with water.

IMHO an ordinary GFCI receptacle installed in a non-corroding enclosure and non-corroding conduit would make the most sense, with the conduit routed out of the flood zone to an overhead junction box. That way, in the event of a flood, the thing could be quickly and cheaply replaced.

Unfortunately I don't believe that my opinion actually meets the requirements as written.

-Jon
 
Well you're required to have a switch and a light down there too and the lighting cannot be connected to the load side of a GFCI, so how were you planning on protecting them?
 
cowboyjwc said:
Well you're required to have a switch and a light down there too and the lighting cannot be connected to the load side of a GFCI, so how were you planning on protecting them?
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There seems to be options available for a waterproof light and switch. For the outlet I would agree with winnie just an outdoor gfi and cover and replace if it goes bad. The elevator inspector wants it down there and our NEC doesn't get into flood zones so not much choice as I see it.
 
cowboyjwc said:
Well you're required to have a switch and a light down there too and the lighting cannot be connected to the load side of a GFCI, so how were you planning on protecting them?
Click to expand...

I would assume the light, and especially the switch for that, could be significantly higher than the required receptacle. But it's been a decade since I helped build an elevator and I was just doing what they told me, so have never studied those codes.

Is this for in case the sump pump doesn't work or is overwhelmed? Or is there no sump pump, and it's dewatered by other means after a flood?
 
MAC702 said:
I would assume the light, and especially the switch for that, could be significantly higher than the required receptacle. But it's been a decade since I helped build an elevator and I was just doing what they told me, so have never studied those codes.

Is this for in case the sump pump doesn't work or is overwhelmed? Or is there no sump pump, and it's dewatered by other means after a flood?
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No sump pump. Kinda funny because there is a drain in the floor that is to be closed since water can also come in that way.
 
MAC702 said:
I would assume the light, and especially the switch for that, could be significantly higher than the required receptacle. But it's been a decade since I helped build an elevator and I was just doing what they told me, so have never studied those codes.

Is this for in case the sump pump doesn't work or is overwhelmed? Or is there no sump pump, and it's dewatered by other means after a flood?
Click to expand...
Those pits usually aren't that deep so not that much higher
 
winnie said:
... an ordinary GFCI receptacle installed in a non-corroding enclosure and non-corroding conduit would make the most sense, with the conduit routed out of the flood zone to an overhead junction box. That way, in the event of a flood, the thing could be quickly and cheaply replaced. ...
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I'd go one step further and mount the GFCI up high in the dry zone, so you won't have a hot conductor submerged in floodwaters after the GFCI trips.
 
Something else that comes to mind is that 'flood resistant materials' are rather different if you are looking at energized versus grounded metal.

If (as suggested above) receptacle is not powered when underwater, then a receptacle could be selected which would likely survive underwater with no damage. After the flood rinse it out with clean water, dry it out, and power it up. As suggested above, use a blank face GFCI out of the flood zone and as soon as water hits it the power will be cut.

Most receptacles have steel yokes which will rust, but you can get them with corrosion-resistant construction. See:
https://www.cableorganizer.com/images/leviton/Lev-Lok/industrial-specification-grade.pdf
http://www.leviton.com/en/products/52CM-62

-Jon
 
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