Arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) ?

[Steve Alexander]

I'm working on education narrative to explain to the customer what is
Arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) and why it's needed. That's the easy part and not really the question. THE QUESTION IS; Why are they required in bedrooms only and not throughout the house?

[Rick J. Hinck]

The day is coming when they will be required throughout the house, but for now they are req'd in bedrooms because the person is asleep and not able to notice a fire.

[tdietrich1]

Cost.

You will notice that almost all safety codes deal with the worse case scenario. The home's occupants are sound asleep when crap hits the fan. If the fire originates, in an around the bedrooms it's bad, very bad. This is why if you only have one CO detector, it is to place right outside the bedrooms.

Side Note: I upgraded all my bedroom circuits to AFCI's {house built in 93}, I plan on adding more with time to the other circuits.

tom

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

The testing had to start somewhere. No different than the first GFCI requirements. . .

[jtedesco1]

Here is a report and fact sheet from www.CPSC.gov

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) Fact Sheet

http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/afci.html