WAC 296-46B-210   Wiring and protection -- Branch circuits.       008(A) Dwelling units GFCI requirements.

     (1) In a garage or unfinished basement, a red receptacle, with a red cover plate, supplying a fire alarm system is not required to have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection. The receptacle must be identified for use only with the fire alarm system by an identification plate or engraved cover with letters at least 1/4" high.

     008(B) Other than dwelling units - GFCI requirements.

     (2) GFCI requirements.

     (a) For the purposes of NEC 210.8(B), kitchen means any area where utensils, dishes, etc., are cleaned or where food or beverages are prepared or cooked.

     (b) All 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in wet locations must have Class A ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel.

     011 Branch circuits.

     (3) A raceway system or one dedicated 15-ampere minimum, 120 volt circuit must be taken to all unfinished space areas adaptable to future dwelling unit living areas that are not readily accessible to the service or branch circuit panelboard. One circuit or raceway is required for each 480 square feet or less of unfinished space area. If the total adjacent unfinished space area is less than 480 square feet, the circuit can be an extension of an existing circuit. The circuits must terminate in a suitable box(es). The box must contain an identification of the intended purpose of the circuit(s). The branch circuit panelboard must have adequate space and capacity for the intended load(s).

     012 Arc-fault circuit-interrupter protection.

     (4) NEC 210.12(B) is amended to require AFCI protection only for dwelling unit bedroom spaces.

     (a) Dwelling unit bedroom spaces include spaces that:

     (i) Are used as the bedroom;

     (ii) Are accessed only through the bedroom;

     (iii) Are ancillary to the bedroom's function (e.g., closets, sitting areas, etc.); (iv) Contain branch circuits that supply 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere, outlets; and

     (v) Are not bathrooms.

     (b) If a new circuit(s) is added in an existing dwelling unit bedroom, an existing outlet(s) that is not connected to the new circuit(s) does not require arc-fault circuit interrupter protection if the outlet(s) was installed before December 1, 2005.

     (c) If an existing circuit, installed before December 1, 2005, is extended, arc-fault circuit interrupter protection is not required.

     (d) Arc-fault circuit interrupter protection is not required to be used for smoke or fire alarm outlets.

     025 Common area branch circuits.

     (5) For the purpose of NEC 210.25, loads for septic or water well systems that are shared by no more than two dwelling units may be supplied from either of the two dwelling units if approved by the local building official and local health department.

     052(A)(2) Dwelling unit receptacle outlets.

     (6) For the purpose of NEC 210.52 (A)(2)(1), "similar openings" include the following configurations that are a permanent part of the dwelling configuration or finish:

     (a) Window seating; and

     (b) Bookcases or cabinets that extend from the floor to a level at least 1.7 meters (five (5) feet six (6) inches) above the floor.

     Any outlets eliminated by such window seating, bookcases, or cabinets must be installed elsewhere within the room.

     052(E)(3) Outdoor outlets.

     (7) For the purposes of NEC 210.52 (E)(3), the exception will read: Balconies, decks, or porches with an area of less than 1.86 m² (20 ft²) are not required to have a receptacle installed.

     052(B) Receptacle outlet locations.

     (8) Receptacle outlets installed in appliance garages may be counted as a required countertop outlet.

     052(C) Countertops.

     (9) A receptacle(s) is not required to be installed in the area directly behind a sink or range as shown in NEC 210.52, Figure 210.52 (C)(1). Outlets must be installed within 24" on either side of a sink or range as shown in Figure 210.52 (C)(1).

     (10) If it is impracticable to install the outlet(s) required in NEC 210.52 (C)(3), a receptacle is not required on any peninsular counter surface as required by NEC 210.52 (C)(3) so long as the peninsular counter area extends no farther than 6' from the face of the adjoining countertop. Any outlet(s) eliminated using this subsection must be installed in the wall space at the point where the peninsula connects to the wall countertop in addition to the outlets required by NEC 210.52 (C)(1).    



[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.28.006, 19.28.010, 19.28.031, 19.28.041, 19.28.061, 19.28.101, 19.28.131, 19.28.161, 19.28.171, 19.28.191, 19.28.201, 19.28.211, 19.28.241, 19.28.251, 19.28.281, 19.28.311, 19.28.321, 19.28.400, 19.28.420, 19.28.490, 19.28.551. 08-24-048, § 296-46B-210, filed 11/25/08, effective 12/31/08; 06-24-041, § 296-46B-210, filed 11/30/06, effective 12/31/06; 06-05-028, § 296-46B-210, filed 2/7/06, effective 5/1/06; 05-10-024, § 296-46B-210, filed 4/26/05, effective 6/30/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.28.006, 19.28.010, 19.28.031, 19.28.041, 19.28.061, 19.28.101, 19.28.131, 19.28.161, 19.28.171, 19.28.191, 19.28.201, 19.28.211, 19.28.241, 19.28.251, 19.28.271, 19.28.311, 19.28.321, 19.28.400, 19.28.420, 19.28.490, 19.28.551, 2003 c 399, 2003 c 211, 2003 c 78, and 2003 c 242. 04-12-049, § 296-46B-210, filed 5/28/04, effective 6/30/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.28.006, 19.28.010, 19.28.031, 19.28.041, 19.28.061, 19.28.101, 19.28.131, 19.28.161, 19.28.171, 19.28.191, 19.28.201, 19.28.211, 19.28.241, 19.28.251, 19.28.271, 19.28.311, 19.28.321, 19.28.400, 19.28.420, 19.28.490, 19.28.551, 2002 c 249, chapters 34.05 and 19.28 RCW. 03-09-111, § 296-46B-210, filed 4/22/03, effective 5/23/03.]