wet location?

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ibew441dc

ibew441dc

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I was at work today and a co-worker and I were debating wet locations.

The debate was whether or not a water pump room was a wet location.

This room is in a hotel maintenance area ( industrial setting ).

There are many water pipes , a large chiller , air handlers , etc. Many hotels and high rises are very similar so anyone who has worked in these places would be familiar with the arena.

My answer was that it was not a wet location. Co-worker disagreed.

Article 100 definition opens up for interpretation.
keywords: subject to saturation

Under normal conditions it would obviously be dry, if a pipe broke it would be wet.

thanks

Ibew441dc
 
It can't be wet if it is typically less than 95% relative humidity, and therefore, not a condensing environment, and not subject to rain.

If there are motors adding heat to the room, and it's ventilated, and in Huntington Beach, it almost certainly is not wet.
 
I'm in agreement with you, and have worked in several
Central Plants/Boiler rooms. Check 300-6(c), it refers to areas where walls are frequently washed down.
 
ibew441dc said:
I

My answer was that it was not a wet location. Co-worker disagreed.



Under normal conditions it would obviously be dry, if a pipe broke it would be wet.
Click to expand...

I agree.

If your co-worker has gas fuel in his home, ask him if everything electrical is in explosion proof materials ;)

The best you can hope for is "normal conditions" - whether it be dry, damp, wet, hazardous..etc.
 
Celtic,

Thats a good way to shut somebody up that thinks in extremes.:grin:

First thing Monday morning thats exactly what I'm going to throw at my buddy at work.

thanks

ibew441dc
 
Along with Celtic's observation, I look at the construction method of the area.

If the building dept / Architect / Engineer expect an indoor location to be a wet location the building methods will be different, drains in the floor, sloped floors, curbs at the doors, no Sheetrock etc. There would also likely be note on the specs or prints to use WP equipment.

What I am saying is an indoor wet location will be easily identifiable.
 
The room below a bathroom is subject to saturation if the pipes above leak,yet the room below most likely is not a wet location... without further info from IBEW, I would say that the room you mention in your post is not a wet location either

Celtic
I like your analogy as well.:cool:
 
Guess we best start wiring homes in UF cable.Think of all that water from open windows,carpet cleaning,and then we have all them dangerous appliances that could leak water,water heater,washing machine,water softners,dish washer,garbage disposals.And lets not even think about the bath tub/shower or indoor hot tubs.And many states are subject to a huricane.Checking my anchors now before we float away.
 
ibew441dc said:
I was at work today and a co-worker and I were debating wet locations.

The debate was whether or not a water pump room was a wet location.

This room is in a hotel maintenance area ( industrial setting ).

There are many water pipes , a large chiller , air handlers , etc. Many hotels and high rises are very similar so anyone who has worked in these places would be familiar with the arena.

My answer was that it was not a wet location. Co-worker disagreed.

Article 100 definition opens up for interpretation.
keywords: subject to saturation

Under normal conditions it would obviously be dry, if a pipe broke it would be wet.

thanks

Ibew441dc
Click to expand...
OK now, I am not trying to be smart. Its not a wet location unless there is a leak.
I have designed and installed many water pump stations, I wire as a NEMA 1 location.
My recommendation is to wire with NEMA 12 R equipment, enclosed and gasketed lights.
 
tom baker said:
My recommendation is to wire with NEMA 12 R equipment, enclosed and gasketed lights.
Click to expand...

Recommendation does not equate to requirement.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all FOR above bare minimum....but I think that is what the OP's question is ~ required vs. recommended/designed.
 
tonyou812 said:
i agree with Celtic we can only design for normal conditions. at what point do you stop?
Click to expand...


Good point. My neighbors basement was a dry location until tropical storm Floyd hit in 1995. Then for a few days it was a dirty swimming pool.
 
My basement was a damp location until I had concrete poured around the perimiter and DryLoc'ed the place ;)
 
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