Required receptacles in a bath room (dwelling)

[puddinhead025]

I recently had a job inspected where I had renovated a bath room that had pre existing washer and dryer. The inspector asked if the washer was gfci protected
I said no it didn't have to be,, well he insisted it was necessary and quoted art 210.8 (A) 1,,, I quoted same art siteing exceptions 1 and 2,,,, he indicated it was a Massachusetts change I went to the Mass. changes in the front of the NEC with Mass changes and it wasn't to be found there. Does anyone know if there is a Mass. change that came out after the printing of the 2002 code book... Thanks Roy

 

[curt swartz]

Re: Required receptacles in a bath room (dwelling)

There aren't any exceptions to 210.8(A)(1)
The exceptions you are reading only apply to 210.8(A)(2) which is for garages and accessory buildings.

The inspector is correct. All 125-volt 15 and 20 amp receptacles in bathrooms must me GFCI protected.

 

[bill addiss]

Re: Required receptacles in a bath room (dwelling)

Roy,

For what it's worth I know how you're reading that and I agree that the way it's written (according to the rules of the NEC Style Manual at the time) it sure looks like the exceptions apply to both 210.8(A)(1) and (2).

Rather than delve into the style manual language and my interpretation of it's language consider this:
Generally most people will say that an exception only applies if it immediately follows something. Like Curt did in this case. Now look at 210.6(B). Does it have any exceptions? .... hint >> look after 210.6(D)(2)

I wrote an email to NFPA last year about the inconsistant way that Exceptions were listed in the code and how the NEC Style Manual would seem to indicate what you were saying. The letter I got back basically seemed to indicate that I was right and that they would look into it.

I also made a proposal for the 2005 that the issue with the way exceptions are listed be resolved but my proposal was returned explaining that it was not something I was allowed to propose (?)

Anyway, It seems that there are changes being made or that were made that will make the way Exceptions are listed consistant and more clear than they were in the past.

Bill

 

[pierre]

Re: Required receptacles in a bath room (dwelling)

Bill

Please, lets not make proposals that will make the code easier to read. I am starting to understand how this thing is written .

Pierre

 

[bill addiss]

Re: Required receptacles in a bath room (dwelling)

FYI, here is the way the section reads in the proposed 2005 draft copy:

210.8 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel.
(A) Dwelling Units. All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in the locations specified in (1) through (8) shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.

(1) Bathrooms
(2) Garages, and also accessory buildings that have a floor located at or below grade level not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas, and areas of similar use

Exception No. 1 to (2): Receptacles that are not readily accessible.

Exception No. 2 to (2): A single receptacle or a duplex receptacle for two appliances located within dedicated space for each appliance that, in normal use, is not easily moved from one place to another and that is cord-and-plug connected in accordance with 400.7(A)(6), (A)(7), or (A)(8).

Bold added above for emphasis. Now it is clearer that the exceptions are not meant to apply to Bathrooms.

Bill

[ September 29, 2003, 01:01 AM: Message edited by: bill addiss ]