Should/Must Laundry Receptacles be Accessible?

I have always seen Washer and Dryer receptacles mounted above the Appliances where they could be easily plugged and unplugged. I assume this to be preferrable, but is it required?

With the increase in popularity of front-loading Washers it may be common to see Countertops being installed above these appliances which would put the Receptacles behind the Appliances (and below the Countertop)
Any comments on this situation?

Bill

Bill,
I'm thinking of all the 'accessable' definitions....

I personally always try to put the washer recep 5-6' away from the drain pipe. But putting it behind it makes me wonder if the plug will become damaged. I mean to say lets say the washer goes off balance and shakes its way twards the recep. It possibly could rub off the insulation and zap. Then again how often does the washer go on the move..

James

Sparky, if it is behind the washer and you have to slide the washer out of the way to get at it, it is accessible. I don't really see any benifit to having it in any particular location. If it is in a laundry/bathroom and it is above the washer it would either have to be gfi or a single recept. Some would say what if there is an emergency..... I choose not to live thinking too much about the what if, You could go crazy thinking about what ifs!

I think it's just another appliance, like a dishwasher, range, etc
Pull it out, unplug it. No need to put it above the appliance.
Just adds another spot to plug in an extension cord for the iron.

I couldn't think of anything against it but I've never come across that situation before and it's like doing a double-take. I figures it was worth asking about, but I can't think of alternatives unless the cords come up through the countertop.

Thanks
Bill

Set the suckers at 36" so it is not accessible to the goofs who want to put the splitter on it for who knows what. Laundry gets its own circuit, they need an accessible utility plug, put it over the counter for the iron, or at typical floor height for the other uses. Behind the units not accessible, 20A duplex no GFI, don't come across motor spikes to trip GFI, legal because not accessible, yet some AHJ's still want a GFI. In accessible area it is always a 20A GFI.