AFCI Upgrade Required for Receptacle Remove and Replace?

[mark handler]

As far as i remember, which is progressively getting worse, LIKE is used once in the code, yet that all I hear :

Existing building code section 302.5 New and Replacement Materials

Except as otherwise required or permitted by this code, materials permitted by the applicable code for new construction shall be used. Like materials shall be permitted for repairs and alterations, provided that unsafe conditions are not created. Hazardous materials shall not be used where the code for new construction would not permit their use in buildings of similar occupancy, purpose and location.​

No it is not Like for like.....

 

[my250r11]

I don't like the term "Grandfathered!"

I like "existing none conforming"

 

[jar546]

I like "existing none conforming"

You have zoning on the brain...

 

[mark handler]

I like "existing none conforming"

Non? conforming?

 

[ICE]

I like "existing none conforming"

The commish helped him with this one.

 

[steveray]

Like materials shall be permitted for repairs and alterations, provided that unsafe conditions are not created.

Exactly....(and I know your codes are different) Like materials are allowed for alterations. replacement receptacle is a level 1 alteration. It is not unsafe to not have an AFCI where none existed at the time of original installation per previous code. Unless you are posting all of the houses built in the previous code unsafe?

 

[ICE]

In jurisdictions that watered down the code AFCI might never be required. In California if a receptacle is replaced and it is in a location that requires AFCI in the code there's no talking your way out of it. An opinion as to the relative safety before and after has no bearing on the decision.

 

[steveray]

An opinion as to the relative safety before and after has no bearing on the decision.

And there is the "problem" with that piece of the NEC.....We do it for new circuits/ devices and branch circuit modifications/ extensions >6' that way if they have to slightly move a service (and extend the conductors) or add a transfer switch they don't have to AFCI the whole house...

 

[mark handler]

And there is the "problem" with that piece of the NEC.....We do it for new circuits/ devices and branch circuit modifications/ extensions >6' that way if they have to slightly move a service (and extend the conductors) or add a transfer switch they don't have to AFCI the whole house...

That is in the code section.

 

[ADAguy]

Use of "like" is improper, the term is/ should be "similar".