Receptacles Within 3' Of a Tub or Shower

[infinity]

Receptacles are no longer permitted within the 3' of a tub or shower. Don't know what people with the $2000 toilets that require power are going to do. :slaphead:

 

[480sparky]

I sure hope designers are going to learn that. In some bathrooms, the required receptacle would have to be within that distance.

 

[mopowr steve]

Is this in the 2020 NEC?

 

[infinity]

Is this in the 2020 NEC?

Yes, Section 406.9(C), 2020 NEC.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Might be impossible with some small bathrooms

 

[ptonsparky]

Might be impossible with some small bathrooms

They would have to be placed behind the door, or in the hall, or adjoining room.

We still get calls to put the first and only receptacle in existing bathrooms.

(My new last NEC, hasn’t arrived yet)

 

[ptonsparky]

Receptacles are no longer permitted within the 3' of a tub or shower. Don't know what people with the $2000 toilets that require power are going to do. :slaphead:

NM, deleted it.

 

[al hildenbrand]

1

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Al, one issue with your install

210.52(D) Bathrooms.

At least one receptacle outlet shall be instal⁠led in bathrooms within 900 mm (3 ft) of the outside edge of each basin. The receptacle outlet shall be located on a wall or partition that is adjacent to the basin or basin countertop, located on the countertop, or installed on the side or face of the basin cabinet. In no case shall the receptacle be located more than 300 mm (12 in.) below the top of the basin or basin countertop. Receptacle outlet assemblies listed for use in countertops shall be permitted to be installed in the countertop.

 

[al hildenbrand]

Al, one issue with your install

Dennis, re-read Rob's OP. He's asking about toilets that require a cord and plug connection.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Dennis, re-read Rob's OP. He's asking about toilets that require a cord and plug connection.

Yes, I stop at 3' from the tub...Missed the toilet part. I was wondering why you had that in your post..hahaha

 

[StarCat]

Attempting to " Engineer Around " what should be common sense and proper eductation will ALWAYS fail. It will lead to a worse position and situation than is currently being seen.

 

[al hildenbrand]

Yes, I stop at 3' from the tub...Missed the toilet part. I was wondering why you had that in your post..hahaha

Are you saying you stop installing receptacle outlets 3' from the "tub," or the 406.9(C) "tub zone?" The question is, with a $2,000 electric toilet right beside a tub, can I put a receptacle outlet on the wall behind the toilet and within inches of the side of the tub?

My answer is yes, as long as the top of the receptacle outlet is below the top rim of the tub (which is where "the zone" begins.).

 

[Dennis Alwon]

LOL...What I meant was that I stop reading Trevor post after I read

3' from the tub

...


I would have to agree with you on the placement of the receptacle based on the wording, however I doubt that is the intent. I believe the thresholds are mentioned simply to state that the height measurement must be from the top of the threshold not from the floor.
The only issue may be the wording "all encompassing". My suspicion is that an authority having jurisdiction will read that as a violation if it is installed below the threshold and within 3'

I am posting the section for others to read

406.9(C) Bathtub and Shower Space.

Receptacles shall not be instal⁠led within a zone measured 900 mm (3 ft) horizontally and 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold. The identified zone is all-encompassing and shall include the space directly over the tub or shower stall.

Exception: In bathrooms with less than the required zone the receptacle(s) shall be permitted to be installed opposite the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold on the farthest wall within the room.

 

[infinity]

If there's a modern style curb less shower you're out of luck.

 

[al hildenbrand]

If there's a modern style curb less shower you're out of luck.

In general, I agree. The exception poses an interesting condition.

Say there is a 5' by 7' shower / toilet. The curb-less shower has 3' along the 5' wall, and in the remaining 2' of the 5' wall sits the $2,000 toilet. On the other side of the toilet is a 7' wall.

406.9(C) tells us that the entire 5' wall is within the new "zone". No receptacle outlet allowed in the 5' wall. The 406.9(C) Exception, however, allows the receptacle outlet anywhere in the 7' wall beside the toilet.

 

[infinity]

I'm too lazy to look up the substantiation for this one but I would bet there isn't any real world issue other than someone thinks this is a good idea. Unless people are dying from the receptacle being near the shower this is another example of stupid code overreach. If someone on this forum wrote this PI don't be offended by my opinion but this one falls into if ain't broke don't fix it category. :slaphead:

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I'm too lazy to look up the substantiation for this one but I would bet there isn't any real world issue other than someone thinks this is a good idea. Unless people are dying from the receptacle being near the shower this is another example of stupid code overreach. If someone on this forum wrote this PI don't be offended by my opinion but this one falls into if ain't broke don't fix it category. :slaphead:

Not I so I am not offended. If I did write a proposal that was accepted and someone didn't like that would be okay also. Seems like they didn't like my proposals this year.... I tried to get the length of wire increased in the case of a service change where you would avoid afci. They didn't like it but they did add the part where the wire inside the panel or jb does not count for the 6'-- half successful anyway

 

[ptonsparky]

Not I so I am not offended. If I did write a proposal that was accepted and someone didn't like that would be okay also. Seems like they didn't like my proposals this year.... I tried to get the length of wire increased in the case of a service change where you would avoid afci. They didn't like it but they did add the part where the wire inside the panel or jb does not count for the 6'-- half successful anyway

:thumbsup:

Not that any of my inspectors have voiced concern, but we had been watching that inside length.

 

[infinity]

I tried to get the length of wire increased in the case of a service change where you would avoid afci. They didn't like it but they did add the part where the wire inside the panel or jb does not count for the 6'-- half successful anyway

If I remember correctly here in NJ they just deleted that rule in its entirety.