ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Nitpicking?

Received a transcript of a IAEI meeting. What a bunch of nitpicking at this one.
This one caught my eye. What constitutes a finished basement? No consensus on this. One participant indicated that he had approved installation that had infrared sauna, exercise equipment, TV, VCR, couch, table, chairs, refrigerator, etc. This installation had concrete floor so some participants said it was an “unfinished” basement and all except dedicated circuits must be GFI. What caught my attention on this is that I have the same equipment except no refrigerator but an added sump pump, pressure pump, 2-52 gal. H2O, and softener. and no GFI’s were installed or required on any item.
My pressure pump is on commercial water service due to 2nd floor and 5 baths. Also 225 ft. from main. My supply line to home is 1-1/4 in.
Rowdy

I can see it now, someday there will be a separate book of electrical code definitions & it will be at least as thick as the NEC.

Until there is a definition, then this remains a judgement call. I'm kinda conservative, so I'd say if the exterior walls are concrete block or concrete, with no drywall or paneling covering them, this is unfinished.

What does a concrete floor have to do with anything? Here in the Mountain State, I've seen houses with dirt floors, thats really unfinished.

What is the definition of basement?

A local code modification indicates that GFI's are required only in a basement that has an earthen floor. Seems like common sense has prevailed.
Rowdy

Common sense is (or maybe i should say was) the premis of the NEC Rowdy.

The problem is we have grey areas that people nitpick, as well as arbitrary bechmarks that others will defend tooth and nail

both camps do the document an injustice by throwing good old American horse sense out to pasture.