ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues AFCI in walk-in closet?

In the state of California, is it necessary for receptacles in a walk-in closet (fully enclosed with a door) to be protected by an AFCI breaker?

Thanks.

Roy

As a matter of opinion only, I would think it a good idea. Any cord-connected device left plugged in could possibly suffer arc-inducing damage by falling or carelessly placed items in a walk-in.

The AHJ in my area would say yes, and I wouldn't argue it.

In any event, wouldn't such a receptacle be on the same branch circuit as the bedroom it's in anyway?

Tony

If seperated by a door, no: The closet is not considered sleeping quarters.

Tony would you argue that a bath that is connected to a bedroom would have to have afci protection for its outlets? No different than a closet. A closet is not a bedroom.

When you apply for a permit is "number of rooms" one of the criteria for permitting? do you count closets as rooms? do you count bathrooms? around here that's a "no" and a "yes". The closet is part of the bedroom, the bathroom is seperate.

"When you apply for a permit is "number of rooms" one of the criteria for permitting? do you count closets as rooms?"

So you make a safety related decision based on the permit revenue ... interesting.

In San Diego I have 3 inspectors say it is part of the bedroom and 2 say it is not. I put the closets on the arc fault to keep the peace and it makes sense to me Rod

Electricmanscott:

If the bath were connected to the same circuit as the bedroom, and the bedroom is required to be AFCI'd, it goes to follow that the bath would indeed end up on the AFCI. Is the bath required to be AFCI'd? No. It does have to have GFI, though.

The same idea of how the bath recpt. gets its power holds for the walk-in. Now if the walk in got power from say, another circuit not required to be on AFCI, no I don't think it would be required to get AFCI protection.

Though I perhaps wasn't clear in my original post, the AHJ in this area (my landlord's brother) says that AFCI would be required in that closet regardless of source.

I would argue till my tounge falls out that a walk in closet is not a bedroom. Where would I be wrong?

This came up today.... How about a "dressing room", seperated from the bed room by a bath room?

I say no. No to closet too. (Unless it had a "no door" opening into the bed room, then it's like an alcove....)