Commercial kitchen GFI's

[Mr. Inspector]

2008 NEC

definitions - kitchen. an area with a sink and permanent facilites for food prep and cooking.

NEC 210.8(2) requires other than dwellings kitchens to have GFI's

I was doing a plan review for a yogurt place with a kitchen today. There is is no cooking. So they don't need GFI's.

Also did a a kitchen where it was two rooms. One room had a sink but no stove and the other had a stove but no sink so they did not need GFI's.

Does anyone know why they only need GFI's if there is a sink and a stove in the same room?

 

[north star]

= + =

Rick,

Not trying to be a "smarty britches", ...but the short answer is to lessen the

potential for shock to humans, where the receptacles could have liquids

come in to contact with them.........Historical data indicates the probability

is very high for this to happen in Commercial Kitchens.

= + =

 

[Mr. Inspector]

NorhStar - that did not ansewer my queston

 

[north star]

+ = = +

My mistake, ...please clarify your question.

= + + =

 

[steveray]

Stupid NFPA definition......

 

[mark handler]

2008 NEC Other Than Dwelling Units.

210.8(B)(5) where receptacles are installed within 6 ft of the oulside edge of a sink.

NOT JUST A KITCHEN

ALL SINKS, not just a kitchen

 

[steveray]

Correct Mark....Rick was just saying that all receptacles in a commercial kitchen get GFCI....but a kitchen is not a kitchen per NFPA unless it has all 3...sink and food prep should be enough, but I could see where that might get abused....

 

[mjesse]

The commentary states "A location with a sink and portable cooking appliance (e.g., cord-and-plug-connected microwave oven) is not considered a commercial or institutional for the purpose of applying this requirement"

Also, "Accident data...reveal the presence of many hazards, including poorly maintained electrical apparatus, damaged electrical cords, wet floors, and employees without proper electrical safety training"

 

[mark handler]

Okay, a kitchen could have full height partitions. As in separating a prep area from a cleaning or cooking area. A commercial kitchen are several “areas”

 

[ICE]

Do the plans call the space a kitchen? How about a health dept. permit? Is there one that states that there is a kitchen? It seems to me that the BO can't label it as a kitchen without the three elements in the definition but the applicant can....and if he does, well then he has a kitchen that requires GFCI throughout.

mjesse posted:"Accident data...reveal the presence of many hazards, including poorly maintained electrical apparatus, damaged electrical cords, wet floors, and employees without proper electrical safety training"

That's all still going on with or without a stove.

 

[steveray]

Exactly ICE.....if they call it a kitchen, I call it a kitchen....I have not had to fight this one yet, but I am sure someone will try to skimp and propose this at some point....