Electrical On Decks

[Jim Port]

deleted................................

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by Jim Port

There is an exception listed to 210.50(E)(3) in the 08, that exempts this requirement if less than 20 sq. foot. Using the slider as a gauge I would say that balcony looks like about 3' x 3'. I do not remember this changing in the 2011.

I took another look at the 2011 and the 20 sq ft exception has been removed.

Here's the reason why:

2-266 Log #1148 NEC-P02 Final Action: Accept
(210.52(E)(3) Exception)
__________________________________________________ _____________
Submitter: Vince Baclawski, National Electrical Manufacturers Association
(NEMA)
Recommendation: Delete the Exception:
Exception to (3): Balconies, decks, or porches with a usable area of less than
1.86 m2 (20 ft2) are not required to have a receptacle installed.
Substantiation: If a porch, deck or balcony is accessible, the safety of having
a receptacle installed should be provided. There should be no distinction
between sizes of these areas. The code rule intent is to avoid cords from
passing through doorways. There is no less chance that this would occur for
small porches, decks or balconies. These smaller areas will have holiday
lighting and small appliances used there. Please reference Mr. King’s
Explanation of Negative in 2008 ROC 2-230.
KING, D.: I disagree with the Panel that a minimum dimension of 20 sq. ft
should be a condition for this requirement. If a porch, deck or balcony is
accessible and intended for use by occupants of the dwelling than a receptacle
should be required regardless of the minimum dimension. The purpose of this
section is to eliminate the use of cords through doorways to supply electrical
equipment at these locations. Cords passed through doorways are a potential
cause for electrical shock and fire due to damage that can easily occur to the
cord where it passes through the doorway. Acceptance of this Comment will
allow this hazardous condition to continue to exist for porches, decks and
balconies that are less than 20 sq. ft.
Panel Meeting Action: Accept
Number Eligible to Vote: 12
Ballot Results: Affirmative: 11 Negative: 1

[Brian E. Kelly]

Good info TY Robert

[Jim Port]

Thanks Robert.

[Joseph M. Whitt]

Originally Posted by Robert Meier

Mike I'm curious, why wouldn't it pass? Does a balcony require steps?

Where is the means of egress? That is not a balcony but it is a deck. Under the 2011NEC it would require a receptacle inside the footprint of the deck and an in-use cover.
The ICC building code requires a set of steps leaving from the deck

Even if the building was built under the 2011 NEC I would think that the lack of steps would be a bigger hazard than the lack of a receptacle

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by jwhitt

Where is the means of egress? That is not a balcony but it is a deck.

OK so what differentiates the two?

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by jwhitt

Where is the means of egress? That is not a balcony but it is a deck. Under the 2011NEC it would require a receptacle inside the footprint of the deck and an in-use cover.
The ICC building code requires a set of steps leaving from the deck

Means of egress is windows, not in photo.

The deck I posted is a minimum (3'x3') requirement of new construction at any walkout openings above ground level in town it's located at.

I questioned it (deck), thought is was insane. The only entrance is at front of home, or through attached garage. There were several similar in this new development.

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by ccurrins

Means of egress is windows, not in photo.

The deck I posted is a minimum (3'x3') requirement of new construction at any walkout openings above ground level in town it's located at.

I questioned it (deck), thought is was insane. The only entrance is at front of home, or through attached garage. There were several similar in this new development.

So from a building standpoint, and since it has no steps, this is considered a balcony?

[Joseph M. Whitt]

Originally Posted by ccurrins

Means of egress is windows, not in photo.

The deck I posted is a minimum (3'x3') requirement of new construction at any walkout openings above ground level in town it's located at.

I questioned it (deck), thought is was insane. The only entrance is at front of home, or through attached garage. There were several similar in this new development.

It took me a while but I did find it in the IRC.

This deck meets the minimum code as long as the front door is 36 inches wide. As crazy as it sounds there only has to be one means of egress on a single family dwelling.

Sorry for my mistake

[Jim Port]

I would like to see where you could install the receptacle on the balcony pictured that is only 3x3.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Originally Posted by Robert Meier

According to the NEC it's 20 sq feet.

Exceptions gone in the 2011 NEC Edition. Sorry I did not read all the thread but wanted to add that for any inspectors that happen to do code compliance inspections under the 2011 National Electrical Code.

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by pabernathy

Sorry I did not read all the thread but wanted to add that for any inspectors that happen to do code compliance inspections under the 2011 National Electrical Code.

Yup we covered that in post #32.