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Is a receptacle required in a boxed off column in a dwelling?

jar546

jar546

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If a support column is present in the habitable space (living area) of a dwelling and the column was boxed in with drywall 6" on all four sides, is a receptacle required under NEC 210.52(A)(2)(1)?

(2) Wall Space. As used in this section, a wall space shallinclude the following:
(1) Any space 600 mm (2 ft) or more in width (including
space measured around corners) and unbroken along the
floor line by doorways and similar openings, fireplaces,
and fixed cabinets that do not have countertops or similar
work surfaces
 
jar546 said:
If a support column is present in the habitable space (living area) of a dwelling and the column was boxed in with drywall 6" on all four sides, is a receptacle required under NEC 210.52(A)(2)(1)?
Click to expand...

That's one way contract inspectors get replaced.
 
Suggest that the contractor find a way to reduce the size of the column. My guess is that the Architect dimensioned the column as 6x6 but actually the minim dimension for the structural column and minimum drywall is less.

I can envision situations where it would not be possible to run the wires to the box without cutting into the structural elements. There are reasons many general contractors do not allow electrical contractors to have chain saws on the project.

This is a valid case to invoke IBC Section 104.10 but the NEC does not appear to have a comparable provision.
 
jar546 said:
If a support column is present in the habitable space (living area) of a dwelling and the column was boxed in with drywall 6" on all four sides, is a receptacle required under NEC 210.52(A)(2)(1)?

(2) Wall Space. As used in this section, a wall space shallinclude the following:
(1) Any space 600 mm (2 ft) or more in width (including
space measured around corners) and unbroken along the
floor line by doorways and similar openings, fireplaces,
and fixed cabinets that do not have countertops or similar
work surfaces
Click to expand...
 
IBC definition of wall space. A vertical element with a horizontal length to thickness ratio greater than three used to enclose a space.

If this was a round column would it require an outlet?
If you plug in a floor lamp and move it away from the column would it be a trip hazard?
 
Sorry Jeff - I'd have fired you both times just like ICE did.

This is not how we should be interpreting and/or enforcing the code.

A 6" column in the middle of a room is not a wall space by any sane persons definition. If you are reaching for a way to call it a wall space then you're not inspecting, you're just being an @$$. We (inspectors) have plenty of legit things to be fighting with people on - making sh!t up to fight about is dumb, and will defeat our purpose in the end.
 
jar546 said:
...and unbroken along the
floor line by doorways and similar openings...
Click to expand...
Presumably, the column is on a load bearing wall line with girders carrying roof/floor above, so would this not be a "broken" floor (more aptly wall) line interrupted by doorways or similar openings? If so, would a receptacle thus not be required?
 
Just had this exact scenario on a rough-in inspection, 5-inch steel column wrapped with wood framing and it will receive a drywall wrap. Did not know the code was interpreted this way, measuring four sides to come up with 24-inches to required a receptacle. I'm in line with the broken line group on this one. Not even gonna discuss this with the builder and listen to the foot stomping and crying... and having to explain to my superiors the reason why its interpreted this way? Captain, you can charge up that hill by your self!

My own home's basement was finished when I purchased it and there's no receptacle in the finished rec-room column.
 
A wall has to be first interpreted. It has been through the ICC and IBC specifically with dimension ratios.

this would be by definition a column and not a wall.
 
210.52(A)(1) states "no point measured horizontally along the floor line...."
There is no floor in a stairway. I would not define a tread or series of treads as a floor line.....
 
Also note:
These outlets shall be less than 5.5 feet above the floor, so that 6 feet high TV outlet won't count as a wall outlet.

210.52 Dwelling Unit Receptacle Outlets. This section provides requirements for 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacle outlets. The receptacles required by this section shall be in addition to any receptacle that is:

(1) Part of a luminaire or appliance, or

(2) Controlled by a wall switch in accordance with 210.70(A)(1), Exception No. 1, or

(3) Located within cabinets or cupboards, or

(4) Located more than 1.7 m (5 1⁄2 ft) above the floor
 
jar546 said:
If a support column is present in the habitable space (living area) of a dwelling and the column was boxed in with drywall 6" on all four sides, is a receptacle required under NEC 210.52(A)(2)(1)?

(2) Wall Space. As used in this section, a wall space shallinclude the following:
(1) Any space 600 mm (2 ft) or more in width (including
space measured around corners) and unbroken along the
floor line by doorways and similar openings, fireplaces,
and fixed cabinets that do not have countertops or similar
work surfaces
Click to expand...

I would not require it, in my professional opinion, a column or post is not a wall.
is it a good idea, yes, required, no.
 
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