Receptacles over electric baseboards

[Welmoed]

Inspected a 1967 house this morning that had electric baseboard heat (12 zones!!). Almost every baseboard had an electrical outlet above it. I couldn't find an reference to when these were prohibited; anyone have a clue? I wrote them up as hazardous, of course.

[Marc]

I don't see why that would be a problem.

Marc

[kurt]

Appliance plugged into recep, cord gets hot because it's draped over heater, hot cord melts, fire.

I forget where this came from. I thought it was inscribed on the stone tablets of home inspector canon.

[Mike Lamb]

Wellmoed apparently knows it's a problem. And looking for dates of applicable info.

[Jim Katen]

The prohibition comes from the heater manufacturers, not the NEC. (Except for manufactured homes and mobile homes - this is specifically prohibited there, unless the manufacturer allows it.)

No dates that I'm aware of. It's just a bad idea.

You can buy baseboard heaters with built-in receptacles and the NEC will allow those in lieu of wall mounted receptacles in required areas.

[kurt]

Wellmoed apparently knows it's a problem. And looking for dates of applicable info.

Marc asked, I answered.

[Neal Lewis]

Here's what the NEC says about :

210.52 Dwelling Unit Receptacle Outlets

"Permanently installed electric baseboard heaters equipped with factory-installed receptacle outlets or outlets provided as a separate assembly by the manufacturer shall be permitted as the required outlet or outlets for the wall space utilized by such permanently installed heaters. Such receptacle outlets shall not be connected to the heater circuits.

FPN: Listed baseboard heaters include instructions that may not permit their installation below receptacle outlets."

[John Kogel]

BTW, it is sometimes often easier to move the baseboard heater than it is to move the receptacle. The supply cable enters one end of the heater, so move the heater down the wall and connect to the other end.