floor outlet receptacle

[Linda J. Foster]

The cover on a floor outlet receptacle - does it have to be flush with floor? Or just 'should be' to not be trip hazard?
Couldn't find in IRC.
Thanks,

[William E. Siegel]

The ones I have seen are always flush with the floor.

[Linda J. Foster]

It is raised about 1/4", plastic.

[Speedy Petey]

It does not "have" to be flush. You are correct, the only issue is a trip hazard.
Typically in a home they are under furniture. MANY I have seen and installed were not flush.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Plastic would not be an approved floor outlet. Most are brass with metal covers when the outlet is not in use.

[brian winkle]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

Plastic would not be an approved floor outlet. Most are brass with metal covers when the outlet is not in use.

There are several brands of approved plastic floorbox covers. They are about 1/4" high with rounded edges. They will protrude when installed on a non carpeted floor.

http://www.passandseymour.com/pdf/P14.pdf

[David P. Valley]

Floor receptacles without approved covers are a fire issue.

Picture the four year old with a cup of juice and it falls out of his/her hand and onto the floor and the juice seeps right into the receptacle. Sparks everywhere.

I recommend (to my clients) that all horizontal floor receptacles be terminated and capped. When I do find these, there's only one or two in the house.

[Speedy Petey]

1) Where was it stated that we were talking about boxes without approved covers???
Did I miss something?

2) I did not know juice could make "sparks".
Sorry, this will NOT happen.

3) What is a "horizontal" floor box?????

[Marc D. Shunk]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

Plastic would not be an approved floor outlet. Most are brass with metal covers when the outlet is not in use.

That is profoundly untrue. The Carlon B121BFBRW and B121BFBR are two such examples of listed floor receptacles with nonmetallic covers (UL File #E42728 ). Cover plates for floor boxes are investigated under ANSI/UL 514C, which clearly permits floor box covers to be metallic or nonmetallic.

[Doug Edwards, CMI]

FYI....Just got this last week...
1. Lamson & Sessions Recalls Floor Electrical Outlets Due to Shock or
Electrocution Hazards

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

I stand corrected about plastic. But I have never seen one (until now online).

[brian winkle]

Plastic suddenly becomes more desireable when the customer sees how much the brass ones cost.

[Marc D. Shunk]

Originally Posted by brian winkle

Plastic suddenly becomes more desireable when the customer sees how much the brass ones cost.

That's right. I know my cost on the brass floor receptacle cover alone is 40 bucks, wholesale.

[whandley]

Originally Posted by Speedy Petey

1) Where was it stated that we were talking about boxes without approved covers???
Did I miss something?

2) I did not know juice could make "sparks".
Sorry, this will NOT happen.

3) What is a "horizontal" floor box?????

I'm assuming the juice is water based. If the hot and neutral contacts of the floor outlet were flooded with the juice, could not arcing and or a short occur?

I've seen the cleaning lady short out a floor outlet while mopping.

[Frank M. Carrio, CMI]

Originally Posted by lfoster

The cover on a floor outlet receptacle - does it have to be flush with floor? Or just 'should be' to not be trip hazard?
Couldn't find in IRC.
Thanks,

You are correct this "issue' is not addressed in the IRC.

So it does not "have to be flush".

Also while some covers are "flat" and fit flush into the floor, others are beveled and "rise" a little above the floor but the edges fit "into" the floor covering.
If this is the case this would be a non-issue.

Just curious, where is it located, Hallway, Bedroom, etc. are there other electrical outlets within 6 feet?

Is the floor hardwood, vinyl, ceramic tile or carpeted?

If the unfinished edges of the receptacle are slightly raised above the floor then there MIGHT BE the potential to "stub a toe or cut your feet."
If that is the case then I would report it as a "potential" safety hazard.

But from your post I do not believe that any of the unfinished edges are exposed so once again this would be a non-issue.