What would requirements be???

[Scott Falvey]

Mudroom recently attached to, 1970's house relocated to this spot 2 years ago.

The mudroom has just been "completed", it is built on posts and open air below. Anyway, there is no lite inside the room, no outlets and no heat. If this is considered non-living space, are outlets required?

Thanks,

[Speedy Petey]

From my codey code standpoint, no, no electric is required.

This is not a:
"In every kitchen, family room, dining room, living room, parlor, library, den, sunroom, bedroom, recreation room, or similar room or area of dwelling units, receptacle outlets shall be installed..."

Again, no light is required either:
"At least one wall switch-controlled lighting outlet shall be installed in every habitable room and bathroom."

There might be a building code issue though. I am not sure what the NH building code says.

[James H. Bushart]

I say "yes" based on the fact that, although the room is not habitable, it is a part of the "dwelling unit". Receptacle outlets shall be provided for all wall space within the dwelling unit except individual isolated sections "that are less than 2 feet in width". Heat and light have no bearing on this.

In order to vacuum this area, or to provide temporary light or heat, the lack of a receptacle outlet is going to necessitate the use of the extension cord, which the code does its best to minimize.

[Scott Falvey]

Thanks for the info., as of August last year, NH is going by the 2006 ICC.

I think I will insert a best building practices comment here.

Thanks,

[Scott Falvey]

Speedy Petey,

Question, if a switch activated outlet is required (if I understand your second comment correctly), then, at least one outlet would be required?

Thanks,

[Mark Nahrgang]

Code's may contradict, but I would say no. This is just a mud room... In this situation, it's a glorified, deck with a covering and walls.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by mnahrgang

...and walls.

Within a dwelling unit, it is not the habitable space but the "wall space" that dictates the need for receptacle outlets. Even the fixed section of a sliding glass door assembly counts as wall space in configuring the need for an outlet.

[Pierre Belarge]

In NYS, the "conditioned" or "unconditioned" has bearing here. Being an unconditioned space, it most likely would not need a receptacle. Treating this very similar as a porch would be treated.

Being part of the means of egress, it would most likely need a light though. Switching of this light can be from the inside of the dwelling.

[Speedy Petey]

Originally Posted by sfalvey

Speedy Petey,

Question, if a switch activated outlet is required (if I understand your second comment correctly), then, at least one outlet would be required?

Thanks,

No, my comment was that a light would not be required since this is not a habitable room.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by Speedy Petey

No, my comment was that a light would not be required since this is not a habitable room.

Correction...a light would not be required by the NEC. There are other codes that would dictate the need for light, heat and ventilation.

[Speedy Petey]

Originally Posted by Pierre Belarge

Being part of the means of egress, it would most likely need a light though. Switching of this light can be from the inside of the dwelling.

Good point I didn't consider. You are certainly correct. Although the light would be required to be outside. Technically the light could be anywhere, not just on the mudroom.

[Speedy Petey]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Within a dwelling unit, it is not the habitable space but the "wall space" that dictates the need for receptacle outlets.

Not true James.
The spaces I quoted above (and below) are the spaces required by code to have receptacles. This "porch" is not one of them.

Of course there are other parts of the code that dictate areas that are required to have receptacles such as most garages, bathrooms, most basements, etc., but there is no section regarding porches.

"In every kitchen, family room, dining room, living room, parlor, library, den, sunroom, bedroom, recreation room, or similar room or area of dwelling units, receptacle outlets shall be installed..."


Again, this is just my "code" stance.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by Speedy Petey

......or area of dwelling units, receptacle outlets shall be installed..."


Again, this is just my "code" stance.

I take a different "code" stance.

One of the intents of the spacing of receptacle outlets in a dwelling unit is to reduce the use of extension cords. This is an area within a dwelling unit with walls greater than two feet in width. There are no other considerations that would bar the use or placement of a receptacle in this area while there are provisions to require it.

By the code, it requires receptacle outlets.

This is not an interpretation that requires an extensive work history or knowledge of the fundamentals of electricity....but simply a willingness to support the code's intent to provide adequate access to receptacle outlets throughout the dwelling unit, as prescribed.

[Michael Larson]

All "codes" aside.

I would just let the client know that the "room" contains no outlets or lighting and leave it at that. It's his deal not mine.

[Jim Port]

Sure are a lot of people that don't do code quoting Code.

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