fannm1
New member
- Location
- Charleston, SC, USA
I don't see anything in the NEC prohibiting receptacles in a flood zone for a commercial application. My gut says they should at least be GFCI. Am I missing something?
Receptacles in Flood Zone
- Thread starter fannm1
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jumper
Senior Member
- Location
- 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses
Welcome to the forum.
Someone will be along in a bit with an answer.
Someone will be along in a bit with an answer.
luckylerado
Senior Member
- Location
- Lake of the Ozarks
Please describe the question a little better. Outdoor receptacles are required to be GFCI protected.
mgookin
Senior Member
- Location
- Fort Myers, FL
As a general principle, all facilities, including electrical construction, shall be designed and constructed so as to minimize damage from infiltration of flood waters.
Long story short, you can't have receptacles below base flood elevation (BFE). What helps you is that finished floor elevation (FFE) can't be below BFE. If you are following code with receptacles no closer than 15" to the floor (ADA code; or is it 18"?) you're fine.
But now tell us why we assumed too much. Are these receptacles outside on a piling 2' above grade at an oceanfront house?
Specifically though, flood prevention is via local ordinance where they have the option to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). That ordinance will specifically prescribe your local requirements.
And your building code, if you have a state building code, likely addresses the issue as well.
Each jurisdiction should have a flood prevention manager who is available to answer questions from people just like you. All anyone wants is compliance. If you google the phrase "NFIP Coordinator (name of jurisdiction)" you should be a phone call away from your answer.
Long story short, you can't have receptacles below base flood elevation (BFE). What helps you is that finished floor elevation (FFE) can't be below BFE. If you are following code with receptacles no closer than 15" to the floor (ADA code; or is it 18"?) you're fine.
But now tell us why we assumed too much. Are these receptacles outside on a piling 2' above grade at an oceanfront house?
Specifically though, flood prevention is via local ordinance where they have the option to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). That ordinance will specifically prescribe your local requirements.
And your building code, if you have a state building code, likely addresses the issue as well.
Each jurisdiction should have a flood prevention manager who is available to answer questions from people just like you. All anyone wants is compliance. If you google the phrase "NFIP Coordinator (name of jurisdiction)" you should be a phone call away from your answer.
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