ChildOutletSafety

Therefore, any 125-volt 15- and 20-ampere receptacle installed in a kitchen, family room, dining room, living room, parlor, library, den, sunroom, bedroom, recreation room, or similar room or area of dwelling units, at countertops, in bathrooms, outdoor outlets, in laundry areas, hallways, in basements, and garages are required to be tamper resistant regardless of location. Because these are all areas specified in 210.52 and the current code language does not provide any exceptions.

For example here are some excerpts from Code Panel statements:

ROC Panel Statement “…The panel recognizes that not all receptacles listed within 210.52 are subject to child access. Yet, the overall material cost should outweigh the mind set of providing two different types of receptacles to the electricians in hopes that they would not accidentally install a standard receptacle in a location requiring the tamper-resistant type. . . .”

ROP statement by K. Kempel, “the Panel considered limiting the locations where tamper resistant receptacles are required. It considered locations such as the receptacle for the refrigerator, above stove for a microwave, above kitchen counters, in garages and outdoor locations. Limitations were not included to avoid potential installation errors and the minimal cost difference (based on the info in the substantiation).”

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What if an appliance or luminaire is not available with Tamper-Resistant Receptacles?

Answer: It is strongly suggested that Section 90.4 be reviewed in the application and enforcement of the requirements of 406.11. The last paragraph of 90.4 states “This Code may require new products, constructions, or materials that may not yet be available at the time the Code is adopted. In such event, the authority having jurisdiction may permit the use of the products, constructions, or materials that comply with the most recent previous edition of this Code adopted by the jurisdiction.” This would appear to allow the AHJ to not require tamper resistant receptacles for receptacles contained within a luminaire, appliance or equipment if a tamper resistant receptacle for that installation is not yet available. Therefore if the receptacle configuration used in a luminaire, appliance, or piece of equipment is not manufactured as a tamper resistant receptacle, the AHJ would be allowed to use the previously adopted version of the NEC for that specific luminaire, appliance or piece of equipment.

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Are Tamper-Resistant Receptacles required in Hotels or Dormitories?

Answer: This requirement is only applicable to dwelling units and a dwelling unit is defined by article 100:

“Dwelling Unit. A single unit, providing complete and independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, cooking, and sanitation.”

The definition of a dwelling unit has a broad range of occupancies that may be interpreted as a dwelling; single family dwellings, two family dwellings, multi-family dwellings, dormitories, extended stay hotels and assisted living facilities to name a few.

Caution is suggested when applying the requirements of 406.11 to the dormitory and hotel type occupancies. Section 210.60 of the 08 NEC is where the specific requirements for receptacle placement for guest rooms or guest suites in hotels, motels, sleeping rooms in dormitories, and similar occupancies can be located. Even though this section requires receptacles installed in accordance with 210-52, not all dormitories and hotel rooms qualify as a dwelling unit.

Once these occupancies have permanent cooking, living, sleeping and sanitation, by the definition in article 100, it becomes a dwelling and the requirements of 406.11 can be applicable. As always the AHJ has the final interpretation.

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Where can I go to learn more?

Answer:
For manufacturer research and safety statistics: www.nema.org
For U.S. incident statistics: www.cpsc.gov/library/neiss.html
For the CPSC data sheet of electrical safety: www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/524.html
For Canadian incident statistics: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/injury-bles/chirpp
For the Consumers Union Report on Outlet Caps: www.consumersunion.org/products/childsafeny698.htm
For the State Farm report on home electrical safety: www.statefarm.com/learning/child_safety/learning_childsafety_elec.asp

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