Unfinished vs finished space ?
#1
02-09-16, 05:28 AM
Unfinished vs finished space ?
what does NEC or general building practice consider as an "unfinished space"?
In my case, I have a basement room... 2 sides have covered stud walls. The other 2 are painted concrete. The ceiling joists are exposed with the piping as well above. I have vinyl flooring installed. Its used a storage room for books and such.
What do you think?
In my case, I have a basement room... 2 sides have covered stud walls. The other 2 are painted concrete. The ceiling joists are exposed with the piping as well above. I have vinyl flooring installed. Its used a storage room for books and such.
What do you think?
#2
02-09-16, 06:06 AM
The NEC would only be concerned with the electrical in the basement. On the two covered stud walls, there should be receptacles every 12' or on walls that are over 2' in length. If it is not "finished" as in the other walls, then there would probably be no regulation unless the room were to be used for occupancy. What prompted your question?
#4
02-09-16, 07:07 AM
I'd say yes on the GFCI.
NEC is practically silent on what is considered finished and unfinished (and also many other specific definitions regarding construction and finish types). It leaves that determination to the local inspector (AHJ), who would probably reference other standard codes in effect in the region like the building, fire or occupancy codes which do define legal living areas and so forth.
NEC is practically silent on what is considered finished and unfinished (and also many other specific definitions regarding construction and finish types). It leaves that determination to the local inspector (AHJ), who would probably reference other standard codes in effect in the region like the building, fire or occupancy codes which do define legal living areas and so forth.
#5
02-09-16, 07:10 AM
I agree with Ben on the GFCI. If you add any receptacles, be sure to protect them from the LOAD side of that GFCI so everything will be protected downstream.
#7
02-09-16, 06:14 PM
I bit the bullet and went with 'unfinished' as well. So I installed a GFCI. The old outlet was in a tiny handy switch box so I had to replace it with 1900 box with a raised cover to accommodate the gfci instead.
The outlet is serving a dehumidifier and condensate pump so I figured beside the unfinished thing its around water... so its a good idea.
The outlet is serving a dehumidifier and condensate pump so I figured beside the unfinished thing its around water... so its a good idea.
#8
02-10-16, 07:18 AM
One plumbing mishap and everything in the basement is around water... In my own place, I lean towards just GFCI protecting everything underground regardless of finished or not, because you never know when you're gonna go down stairs and have your feet squish down into wet carpet. Make sure that carpet is not also energized.
