Electrical GFCIs and more

[JeremyDP]

OK, so while looking through the 2009 IRC PDF, I spent some time looking at the electrical sections.

If all of a garage is not procected by GFCIs do you report it regardless of the age of the house? And at what level? My opinion is yes, it is reported, but since the house is older maybe have it in the FYI or Suggestions area of the report.

Same for illuminated 2-way 3-way [edited] switches for stairs.

For the kitchen, I thought I read somewhere else that if there are more than 3 outlets, then a second GFCI and circuit needs to be present. However, the only thing I saw on kitchens is that all outlets should be GFCI protected.

With these, do we need to see when the code change was put into effect?

And not sure where to post this, so I thought I'd include it here...

For stair railing, I thought I read somewhere else that the ends should be connected to the wall to prevent purse, gym bags, etc from getting snagged and causing possible tripping on the stairs. Where can I read about this? I did an unsuccessful search on the IRC PDF.

Thanks!

[Jim Katen]

OK, so while looking through the 2009 IRC PDF, I spent some time looking at the electrical sections.

If all of a garage is not procected by GFCIs do you report it regardless of the age of the house? And at what level? My opinion is yes, it is reported, but since the house is older maybe have it in the FYI or Suggestions area of the report.

Oregon has some exceptions to that rule but I still recommend adding GFCI protection wherever it's required by the latest code. I use the NEC because Oregon didn't adopt the electrical section of the IRC. There's just no reason to *****foot around this stuff. Call a spade a spade and be done with it.

Same for luminated 2-way switches for stairs.

That's a new one on me. What's a "luminated 2-way switch?" Last I heard you needed a light that illuminates every tread and that can be controlled form each floor level. Most people use 3-way switches for this.

For the kitchen, I thought I read somewhere else that if there are more than 3 outlets, then a second GFCI and circuit needs to be present. However, the only thing I saw on kitchens is that all outlets should be GFCI protected.

Every kitchen requires two dedicated small appliance circuits. The number of circuits doesn't depend on the number of outlets. A GFCI can protect more than 3 outlets. Read the GFCI instructions for the exact number.

With these, do we need to see when the code change was put into effect?

No. If it's a safety issue, I recommend correcting it no matter when the issue was written into the code book. If it's not a safety issue, I deal with it differently depending on what it is and what the consequenses might be. Since I don't tend to rely on boilerplate, I can't tell you exactly how I deal with each issue. It always depends.

And not sure where to post this, so I thought I'd include it here...

For stair railing, I thought I read somewhere else that the ends should be connected to the wall to prevent purse, gym bags, etc from getting snagged and causing possible tripping on the stairs. Where can I read about this? I did an unsuccessful search on the IRC PDF.

The end that you're talking about is called a "return." You'll find the rule you're looking for in 311.5.6.2

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[Neal Lewis]

Jeremy, I just say that not all garage outlets are GFCI; install them for increased safety.

Don't know about luminated switches; BTW they're three way switches, not two way.

Never heard of the more than 3 outlet rule.

The railing needs to be "returned" to the wall; it's in there somewhere.

[JeremyDP]

Thank you both for your replies!

Ah, yeah, 2-way switches are the new thing here... [:-paperba (Just kidding!) I corrected my OP.

OK, so I have the 2009 IRC. It sounds like I also need the NEC. Any other documentation that is needed, or will help (not just for electric, but the whole house)?

[Brandon Whitmore]

Jeremy,

This may help you with stair/ railing issues: http://www.stairways.org/pdf/2006%20Sta ... SCREEN.pdf

It's the visual interpretation of the 2006 IRC. I don't know if they have one for the 2009, but you can always double check the info. in the '09 version.

[JeremyDP]

Hey Jim, curious, are you using IRC? When I looked up info on the return, you said to look up 311.5.6.2 but I found:

R311.7.7.2 Continuity. Handrails for stairways shall be

continuous for the full length of the flight, from a point

directly above the top riser of the flight to a point directly

above the lowest riser of the flight. Handrail ends shall be

returned or shall terminate in newel posts or safety terminals.

Handrails adjacent to awall shall have a space of not

less than 11/2 inch (38 mm) between the wall and the

handrails.

Brandon, does the IRC get updated regularly? Like every 3 years? I like the 2006 diagram you have.

For anyone interested, here is a link to a use group study on various people and handrail uses: http://www.stairways.org/code_changes/A ... 090105.pdf (coincidentally, the guy who did the study, is from here - St. Louis, MO)

[Brandon Whitmore]

Brandon, does the IRC get updated regularly? Like every 3 years? I like the 2006 diagram you have.

Yes.

The code references are typically the same, or close to the same though.

Your state may or may not adopt the latest version. Oregon's residential code is based off of the 2006 IRC right now.

[Jim Katen]

Hey Jim, curious, are you using IRC? When I looked up info on the return, you said to look up 311.5.6.2 but I found:

R311.7.7.2 Continuity. Handrails for stairways shall be

continuous for the full length of the flight, from a point

directly above the top riser of the flight to a point directly

above the lowest riser of the flight. Handrail ends shall be

returned or shall terminate in newel posts or safety terminals.

Handrails adjacent to awall shall have a space of not

less than 11/2 inch (38 mm) between the wall and the

handrails.

Yes. That's it. "Handrail ends shall be returned . . . "

- Jim Katen, Oregon