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GFCI's --- where required

Many home inspection reports call out the lack of GFCI receptacles. Many of these areas are 'grandfathered' in so far as having to install these devices.

Using the 2008 NEC here are the locations that are now required.

1.) Bathrooms.

2.) Garages: This includes GDO's (garage door openers), freezer, whole house vacuums, basically all receptacles.

3.) Outdoors.

4.)Crawl spaces. at or below grade.

5.) Unfinished basements.

6.) Kitchens. All counter-top surfaces.

7.) Laundry,utility, and wet bars. Within 6' of the outside edge of a sink. This could mean the washing machine.

8.) Boathouses.

A more detailed explanation can be found in Article 210.8.

This is important if you are agreeing to add GFCI protection as part of a request to remedy. This could add a few hundred dollars to your clients.

Posted by Mike Parks ESI, RBO ,RPI ,RIUI ,OMHI- Ohio on 08/23/2009 07:38 AM

Comments (8)

GFCI's in the Home Improvement Channel

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8 Comments on GFCI's --- where required

AUG

Very informative...thanks for clearing that up! Have a great weekend!

Kristen

Thank you. This is a very commonly mis-understood topic.

Hi Mike, good information and education, everybody in Real estate should be aware of. Tks for sharing

AUG

Thius may not be totally up to date as I have had it for a few years. Any input, Mike?

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FYI: The following dates indicate when nationally accepted minimum safety standards required GFCI protection. The local minimum safety standards may have adopted this protection at an earlier or later date.

DATES GFCI REQUIREMENTS WERE ESTABLISHED:
1971 Receptacles within 15 feet of pool walls
1971 All equipment used with storable swimming pools
1973 All outdoor receptacles
1974 Construction Sites
1975 Bathrooms, 120-volt pool lights, and fountain equipment
1978 Garages, spas, and hydromassage tubs
1978 Outdoor receptacles above 6ft.6in. grade access exempted
1984 Replacement of non-grounding receptacles with no grounding conductor allowed
1984 Pool cover motors
1984 Distance of GFCI protection extended to 20 feet from pool walls
1987 Unfinished basements
1987 Kitchen countertop receptacles within 6 feet of sink
1987 Boathouses
1990 Crawlspaces (with exception for sump pumps or other dedicated equip.)
1993 Wet bar countertops within 6 feet of sink
1993 Any receptacle replaced in an area presently requiring GFCI
1996 All kitchen counters, not just those within 6 feet of sink
1996 All exterior receptacles except dedicated de-icing tape receptacle
1996 Unfinished accessory buildings at or below grade
1999 Exemption for dedicated equipment in crawlspace removed