Virginia: Arc-Fault Requirements
- Thread starter Aeb339
- Start date
- Status
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Welcome to the forum.
Yes, we're lucky enough to still be on the 2014 NEC; bedroom outlets only.
Yes, we're lucky enough to still be on the 2014 NEC; bedroom outlets only.
curt swartz
Electrical Contractor - San Jose, CA
- Location
- San Jose, CA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
2014 required AFCI protection in most areas of dwellings, not just bedrooms.
James L
Senior Member
- Location
- Kansas Cty, Mo, USA
- Occupation
- Electrician
Bedrooms only?
That would probably go back to 2005
Every municipality in the KC Metro area skipped '05 and '08 so not sure, but 2011 required living room, hallways, etc to be AFCI
That would probably go back to 2005
Every municipality in the KC Metro area skipped '05 and '08 so not sure, but 2011 required living room, hallways, etc to be AFCI
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
2008 is when they expanded beyond bedrooms I remember cause that was one issue that sort of held up adopting the 2008 in this state. We didn't adopt 2008 until like september of 2009 IIRC. Before then they did amend out 210.12 and we weren't doing them in bedrooms either. When they wanted to adopt 2008 it was going to be with no amendments, meaning the bedrooms were being added as well (in a way).
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Wow. I guess it's been that long since I've installed anything requiring them elsewhere. 
We’re still on 08 and ECs are only installing them in bedrooms. Maybe they just decided not to comply!
ramsy
Roger Ruhle dba NoFixNoPay
- Location
- LA basin, CA
- Occupation
- Service Electrician 2020 NEC
CA is on 2017, with no amendments, and inspectors won't enforce AFCI's anywhere in tenement improvements. Not even HUD inspectors.
During my apartment renovations the city of Anaheim sent a poorly trained code-enforcement inspector that never heard of AFCI's, much less 406.4(D), adopted in CA for over 10 yrs.
The talented inspectors are sent to check residential contractors & home-owner builders, perhaps since fire code is AHJ's only vector to increase property-tax revenue from permitted additions.
Tenement improvements in existing buildings have no space for adding square footage that permit property-tax increase, so perhaps AHJ's don't waste effort on it.
During my apartment renovations the city of Anaheim sent a poorly trained code-enforcement inspector that never heard of AFCI's, much less 406.4(D), adopted in CA for over 10 yrs.
The talented inspectors are sent to check residential contractors & home-owner builders, perhaps since fire code is AHJ's only vector to increase property-tax revenue from permitted additions.
Tenement improvements in existing buildings have no space for adding square footage that permit property-tax increase, so perhaps AHJ's don't waste effort on it.
costanzo
Member
- Location
- Berlin, Maryland
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
VA adopted 2017 July 1, 2021
ramsy
Roger Ruhle dba NoFixNoPay
- Location
- LA basin, CA
- Occupation
- Service Electrician 2020 NEC
Contractors don't bother with what code cycle adopts AFCI's in which rooms, without corrections to remind them.
Where inspectors don't enforce AFCI's, they are not routinely installed voluntarily.
Where inspectors don't enforce AFCI's, they are not routinely installed voluntarily.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
When I first got into the trade in late 80's, residential was not inspected here. A lot of non licensed people were still wiring new homes and additions and such. Contractor I was working for - we did a few new homes or additions every year, probably wasn't the cheapest option out there but still did a few. Won't say we always followed NEC to every detail, but we did install GFCI's everywhere NEC required them. There were no AFCI's yet then, not sure how that would have been handled with no inspections.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
copied from NFPA free online access codesWow. I guess it's been that long since I've installed anything requiring them elsewhere.
1999, first time AFCI requirements appeared in NEC:
2002: Note they changed it from receptacle outlets to all outlets
2005: This when they added the "combination type" devices that detect everything the previous ones were supposed to
2008: They added a list of rooms that included most typical rooms in a dwelling other than kitchens bathrooms and laundry rooms
2011 they moved the definition to art 100, list of rooms remained the same, may been some changes to exceptions or rules involving updating existing installations
2014 there was big changes in wording and how much print 210.12 takes up, a lot of it was adding more details of options that were emerging like the receptacle type AFCI's and where and how they can be used. The main change that generally effected new construction was the addition of kitchens and laundry rooms as well as adding "or devices" instead of just "outlets" to what is required to be protected. Also added dormitories to where they are required.
2017 and 2020 had some changes but for most part didn't really effect what you would typically do for new construction of a dwelling unit.
2017 did add guest rooms and suites to the requirements and more clarification on circuit extensions and modifications.
2020 only significant change I am aware of is addition of patient sleeping rooms in nursing homes and limited care facilities.
bobnighthouse
Member
- Location
- GA
- Occupation
- Contractor electrical
NEC 2017 AFCI breakers requirements are in 210.12
rc/retired
Senior Member
- Location
- Bellvue, Colorado
- Occupation
- Master Electrician/Inspector retired
Yes but are AFCI breakers required, or AFCI protection required?
Can an electrician use an AFCI receptacle outlet in lieu of a breaker?
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
OP question may be does Virginia amend anything in 210.12?
This is kind of outdated (2020) Virginia Amendment . I was kind of hoping for an up to date version but cant seem to find it.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
did you follow link on page 11 of that to go to Dept of housing and community development web site? that is apparently the state agency that sets the codes and amendments. there is likely something in there somewhere with the actual wording of the amendment, statute references, etc.
Ah thank you! No i didnt. I swear, sometimes I'm blind as a bat.
- Status