Would you consider a drinking fountain a sink for GFCI requirements?

[Heelertreats]

Hi folks. I’m looking at a water fountain that is correctly protected by GFCI. But there are non-GFCI receptacles installed well-within 6’ of the water fountain. The fountain has what could be called a bowl, an bottle-filling station, a direct drinking outlet and a drain.

I lean toward calling this a sink for code purposes and requiring the nearby receptacles to be GFCI protected, but what do y’all think?

 

[LarryFine]

If it's a drinking fountain, it's not a sink. It can't be both, even if it shares some characteristics.

There's a difference between enforcing a code because you should and just because you can.

 

[winnie]

IMHO not a sink unless it is something like this:

 

[Elect117]

422.5 includes bottle fill stations as requiring GFCI for themselves.

I have called drinking fountains "sinks" before, but they are technically not.

If the goal is to reduce the possibility of shock to someone washing a pluggable appliance in a sink then a fountain in a hallway or similar is not likely to have that occur. It is unlikely someone is going to put a toaster in the drinking fountain for spicy tasting water.

If it is in a break room, it is a tad more likely if someone wanted "filtered" water for the blender or those insta-hot kettles for tea. And it wouldn't be required by code, but rather just a judgement call.

 

[Heelertreats]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the insights. The unit in question is one of these standard fountain/filler units, mounted to a column in a heavy manufacturing environment, and there's a quad receptacle about three feet away from the "rim".

 

[LarryFine]

Not a sink.

 

[Joe.B]

RECALL: Water Fountains Pose Shock Hazard

Key aspects in this quick read: recall, water fountain, water cooler, bottle filler, shock hazard - From Building Operating Management and Facility Maintenance Decisions. Helping facility professionals with their jobs and careers.

www.facilitiesnet.com

 

[LarryFine]

RECALL: Water Fountains Pose Shock Hazard

Key aspects in this quick read: recall, water fountain, water cooler, bottle filler, shock hazard - From Building Operating Management and Facility Maintenance Decisions. Helping facility professionals with their jobs and careers.

www.facilitiesnet.com

However, nearby receptacles would not be safer with GFCI protection.

 

[hhsting]

Hi folks. I’m looking at a water fountain that is correctly protected by GFCI. But there are non-GFCI receptacles installed well-within 6’ of the water fountain. The fountain has what could be called a bowl, an bottle-filling station, a direct drinking outlet and a drain.

I lean toward calling this a sink for code purposes and requiring the nearby receptacles to be GFCI protected, but what do y’all think?

Lets ask this question:

Do you drink out of sink?

Do you drink out of drinking fountain?