Regarding a 'detached' garage...NO AFCI requirements. Receptacles are required to be GFI, and that's it.
Argue that if the garage is attached....the word 'garage' is not mentioned, nor would a lot of us think it is 'similsr' to the areas listed. Now, for some of us that think 'ahead', what if the garage is used for a 'play area' like with a ping-pong table??
Evenyually, IMHO, a house will soon be ALL AFCI &/or GFI.
