ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Kitchen counter tops

Pierre:

You make some good points, now I am hungry and must stop to Eat!

If that area was to be used for a desk and with a computer, then it probably would be better to put in one of those special TVSS type receptacles or a receptacle on a circuit that conforms to the Isolated Grounding Type with the Orange Triangle.

I think that is a good idea!

Good morning Pierre. I was told that there are several proposals to define "kitchen", and that the one that is being considered more than the others includes "...a space that has permanant provisions for cooking..." With that in mind, you would almost need to have a range and not neccassarily a microwave to meet the definition. That won't help help solve the riddle of the above picture, however.

It seems to me that GFCI's were required in places that has or could have water in near proximity. Kitchens, bathrooms, garages basement outdoors, roof tops. Makes sense to protect some one in that case. One could always have water in the living room, at least enough to cause death from a shock but is it common??. Looks like desk to me and its in area away from the kitchen sink.

From what I can see, the area is not in the kitchen, and would not require GFCI protection. The call would be up to the judgement of the inspector, subject to appeal according to local law.

I am with those that say look at the plans.

I can just see the AHJ squirming at the appeal when asked to read the words on the plans.

Plan approval is the place to settle this issues.

If that was my house, I would call it a "desktop." Then my wife would have a pile of bills, junk mail, and old school work there so high that you would have no room for any food preperation. You wouldn't even be able to see the desktop! So GFI protection would not be required there!

If this desk was to the left of the stove in the picture would it be required to be GFCI?

FYI: I did not require GFCI protection.

Is it a kitchen? Than yes.

Ryan
You did not require a GFCI protected receptacle. Then I am going to assume that is not a kitchen countertop. My question is - is that receptacle required?

Pierre