Electrical outlet

[astull (Annette Stull)]

We found an electrical outlet that is less than 12 inches next to the sink in the Laundry room. It is not GFCI protected. What is the standard for this.?

[jmckee (James McKee)]

I would recommend a gfci outlet be added for safety

[astull (Annette Stull)]

Thanks, That is what i thought.

[rmeier2 (Robert Meier)]

Under the 2008 NEC it is required to be GFCI protected. This was added to the 2005 NEC.

210.8 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel.
FPN: See 215.9 for ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel on feeders.
(A) Dwelling Units. All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in the locations specified in (1) through (8) shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.
(1) Bathrooms
(2) Garages, and also accessory buildings that have a floor located at or below grade level not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas, and areas of similar use

(3) Outdoors
Exception to (3): Receptacles that are not readily accessible and are supplied by a dedicated branch circuit for electric snow-melting or deicing equipment shall be permitted to be installed in accordance with 426.28.
(4) Crawl spaces — at or below grade level
(5) Unfinished basements — for purposes of this section, unfinished basements are defined as portions or areas of the basement not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas, and the like

Exception to (5): A receptacle supplying only a permanently installed fire alarm or burglar alarm system shall not be required to have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection.
FPN: See 760.41(B) and 760.121(B) for power supply requirements for fire alarm systems.
Receptacles installed under the exception to 210.8(A)(5) shall not be considered as meeting the requirements of 210.52(G).
(6) Kitchens — where the receptacles are installed to serve the countertop surfaces
(7) Laundry, utility, and wet bar sinks — where the receptacles are installed within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the outside edge of the sink

[bmichael (Bobby G. Michael)]

Agree with James.

[bhartley (Buck Hartley, CMI)]

Agree

[tspargo (Tim Spargo, CMI)]

Hi Annette!

Hope you’re well, haven’t seen you in awhile.

Great resources for stuff like that here…

http://www.nachi.org/education.htm

You or your husband can always call me too!

Tim

[pabernathy (Paul Abernathy, CMI®, CMECP® Electrical Code Academy,Inc.)]

Remember - As an HI you are concerned with SAFETY and yes indeed recommend GFCI protection. As for the NEC. this requirement came into effect in the 2005 NEC so prior to that it was not required…just remember that in how you write up your report. Be sure to imply it as a safety enhancement versus saying it is a code requirements as again, prior to the 2005 NEC is was not a violation.

[dclark4 (Darrell M. Clark)]

Agreed. GFCI’s are required by the NEC for all new kitchens, bathrooms, crawl spaces, unfinished basements and for most outdoor receptacles. Here’s a great article on the subject: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,249536,00.html

[cevans (Chuck Evans, CMI)]

With the 2014 NEC all 120v outlets in laundry rooms must be GFCI & AFCI protected. Food for thought as you decide how to write your safety improvement recommendation.

[sstanczyk (Stephen Stanczyk, WA License #221)]

@cevans

With the 2014 NEC all 120v outlets in laundry rooms must be GFCI & AFCI protected. Food for thought as you decide how to write your safety improvement recommendation.

Don’t forget the dishwasher circuit…

[dclark4 (Darrell M. Clark)]

Add it as a safety issue and too have a licensed electrician further evaluate and install a GFCI.

[gfarnsworth (Gary Farnsworth, CMI)]

You guys realize that this thread is 5 years old.