WA Administrative Code Revisions Effective July 1, 2014

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UPDATE: Arc Fault Circuit-Interrupter (AFCI) and Ground Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI) Protection — Effective July 1, 2014, Washington will require Arc Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection (AFCI) as specified in the 2014 National Electrical Code (NEC).

Proposed rule changes to Washington Administrative Code § 296-46B were adopted on May 20, 2014 and will become effective on July 1, 2014. In addition to the changes to WAC 296-46B, the 2014 edition of the National Electrical Code (“NEC”) (NFPA 70-2014) will also become effective July 1, 2014. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries recently confirmed that Permits purchased prior to July 1, 2014 may conform to either the 2008 NEC or 2014 NEC. However, permits purchased July 1 or after must comply with the 2014 NEC.

It further confirmed it will enforce 2014 NEC § 210.64 for indoor electrical service areas only. 2014 NEC § 210.64 states: “At least one 125-volt, single phase, 15- or 20-ampere rated receptacle outlet shall be installed within 15 m (50 ft) of the electrical service equipment.” It recognized that this new requirement responded to concerns that cords used to power equipment used for testing and monitoring service equipment being routed down hallways, across rooms, and through doorways creating slip, trip and fall hazards. It confirms that it understand this intend and therefore will only enforce the requirements of NEC § 210.64 for indoor electrical service areas; if service equipment is located outdoors, the requirements of NEC § 210.64 will not apply.

Additional Sources: Washington 2014 Electrical Rule Development