GFCI's and the 2008 NEC
The following are my opinions as a RBO (Residential Building Official) and are meant for those residing in Ohio. Nothing contained herein is meant as legal advice. Should you have questions about these opinions you should contact your local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction).
As of 1 January 2008 GFCI's (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) are required in all wet and damp locations. Examples are kitchen counter top receptacles, basement receptacles, garage receptacles, outdoor receptacles. These include sump pumps, GDO's (garage door openers), and any receptacles in garages and unfinished basements. Yes, this could include freezers, security systems, and whole house vacuum systems.
All exceptions, dedicated circuits, have been removed from the NEC (National Electric Code) except receptacles for heat protection of waterlines on manufactured housing (this exception is not in the NEC, this is a HUD requirement).
These receptacles may or may not have been required at the time of construction. They are not required to be added in those locations. These receptacles are not required to be GFCI protected unless changed or added.
You may refer to this information but you may not copy this information without written permission.
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Thanks for the updated info. I will be getting my copy of the 2008 NEC to catch up on the code changes. I guess everyone with a sump pump had better get a battery backup pump quick. GFCI's can be very sensitive, and a de-energized sump pump can make a real mess, not to mention very destructive of finished areas.
I found this link to an overview of the Substantial Changes to the NEC 2008 Code.
UPDATE:
BBS MEMO Ohio Board of Building Standards April. 1, 2008 6606 Tussing Road, P.O. Box 4009, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068-9009
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS•INDUSTRIAL COMPLIANCE•LIQUOR CONTROL•REAL ESTATE AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING•SECURITIES•STATE FIRE MARSHAL•UNCLAIMED FUNDS
"An Equal Opportunity Employer and Service Provider"
GOVERNOR ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER AUTHORIZING BBS TO FILE EMERGENCY RULES
NEC and IECC for 1-, 2-, and 3-Family Dwellings
BACKGROUND:
Early this year the Residential Construction Advisory Committee (RCAC) and the Board of Building
Standards (BBS) were asked to consider actions that would allow the 2003 IECC and the 2005 NFPA 70 to
continue to be used for 1-, 2-, 3-family dwellings. As a result, a decision was made to create committees to
study the concerns related to the 2006 IECC and the 2008 NEC. Director of Commerce Kimberly Zurz
selected the energy code committee, and it has already held its first meeting. Director Zurz will select the
electrical code committee in the near future and it will start its work in early April. Over the past several
months the RCAC and BBS have considered many different options to address these concerns, and the
Board made its final decision at its March 28, 2008 meeting.
BOARD ACTION:
At its March 28, 2008 meeting, the Board of Building Standards accepted the RCAC recommendations and
directed staff to request an executive order authorizing the filing of Emergency Rules OAC 4101:1-35-01,
4101:2-15-01 , 4101:3-13-01, and 4101:8-43-01.2. These emergency rules, when filed, would take effect
immediately upon authorization to file the rules from the Governor and would allow the 2003 IECC and
the 2005 NEC to be used for 1-, 2-, and 3-family dwellings only.
UPDATE:
On March 28, 2008, BBS made a request to the Governor's Office for an executive order to authorize the
filing of emergency rules. On March 31, 2008, the Governor signed Executive Order 2008-06S authorizing
the BBS to file the emergency rules. BBS filed the emergency rules the same day and therefore, as ofMarch 31, construction documents for all residential 1-, 2-, and 3-family dwelling projects shall meet or
exceed the 2003 IECC and the 2005 NEC to comply with the RCO. The Board's permanent rules were
filed on April 1, 2008, and will be heard at a public hearing on May 2, 2008. These rules will be made
effective before the emergency rules expire so that the 2003 IECC and the 2005 NEC can seamlessly
continue to be used without any gaps and will be used after the emergency rules expire on June 29, 2008.
When the Board receives recommendations from the committees, the rules may be further modified and
the Board will hold public hearings to receive comment on any proposed future changes. It is anticipated
that the rules adopting the agreed-upon energy and electrical code modifications will be submitted to
JCARR on or before October 1, 2008. The Board's permanent rules will remain in effect until rules
containing agreed-to modifications are submitted to JCARR by no later than October 1, 2008. If the parties
are not able to reach a compromise that allows the Board to submit modified rules by October 1, 2008,
then the Board of Building Standards may submit its own permanent rules for implementation.
Non-residential construction will continue to use the 2006 IECC and the 2008 NEC for compliance
throughout this time period; only 1-, 2-, and 3-family dwellings are affected by these emergency rules. The
emergency rules do not affect 1-, 2-, and 3-family dwellings for which applications for plan approval were
submitted between January 1 and March 31, 2008. Any application for plan approval submitted to the
Residential Building Department between January 1 and March 31, 2008 must use the 2006 IECC and the
2008 NEC.