AFCI requirements for attached garage?

[Richie Rich]

I am in the middle of a 950sqft addition to my existing 2 car garage. Build is fully permitted and went through the city plan check. Rough electrical was passed a few weeks ago and we are currently drywalling and doing exterior finishes. Inspector stopped by today for drywall nailing/screw inspection and took it upon himself to poke around in my breaker panel (again).

He then decided that even though the senior plan checker had OKed everything, that I require AFCI breakers on all the garage circuits.

Issue #1: The existing electrical layout was mostly layed out by my engineer, given the green light by the city and my GC saw no issue with it as designed. Why is a field inspector overruling the senior guy?

Problem #2: There were no new 110v circuits added, all the existing circuits (3-30amp and 1 20amp) were underutilized ones from the existing garage ,one from a jacuzzi tub that was never installed when the house was built and another that was labeled spare in my panel and went to a boxed off location in the garage attic.

Problem #3: It is not feasible to add AFCI breakers to my existing panel. The panel is full and the additional size of the AFCIs cannot be accommodated. I had not budgeted for a panel replacement nor can I afford it at this time.

Problem #4: The inspector is quoting NEC 2017. Thing is, from my research California is still operating under NEC 2014 at least as of 4-1-18 according to multiple places I have looked on the internet. My plans cleared plan check in 11-2017 and we broke ground on April 13th of this year.

Now I know that starting a battle with an inspector is never a good idea but this guy has exceeded the "tough but fair" thing throughout the entire process of construction and has offered no shortage of attitude to both myself and my general contractor.

Am I correct in that 2014 NEC specifically excludes garages from AFCI requirements and do I go over this guy's head?

Or do I keep my mouth shut and replace the panel?

 

[Stuff]

How old is the panel? Most don't regret going to a new panel with more spaces.

That inspector sounds like the typical inspector that used to be a landscaper. Neither NEC 2014 or 2017 require AFCI for garages. If your expansion is considered a rec room or laundry it does.

Ask the inspector to show you the code. Maybe there is a local amendment?

 

[Richie Rich]

How old is the panel? Most don't regret going to a new panel with more spaces.

That inspector sounds like the typical inspector that used to be a landscaper. Neither NEC 2014 or 2017 require AFCI for garages. If your expansion is considered a rec room or laundry it does.

Ask the inspector to show you the code. Maybe there is a local amendment?

I wouldn't regret and wouldn't mind a panel change out down the road but my garage build is already grossly over budget. Panel is a 250 Amp unit but designed almost full (lots of breakers with small numbers of loads). My 220v additions maxed it out.

I did read that 2014 specifically said they were excluded in garages. 2017 doesn't seem to include that area as mandatory AFCI either but I couldn't find specific language stating as much.

No laundry in the existing garage or additional build (we have a laundry room), no sinks, hose bibs or anything in the garage (existing area or new build).

While I wasn't there for the conversation, my GC told me he was specifically citing 2017 code and "some of the older guys aren't used to looking for it" when asked why it passed plan check as designed.

Is there any place I can point directly to NEC sections pertaining to this on line? Everything I have found is 3rd party reference, I know "because I read it on the internet" will not fly. If I am gonna question him on this I need to be able to provide verifiable info directly from NEC literature.

My biggest worry is that he will go into "gotcha" mode (that he seems to have a tendency towards) and go poking around the rest of my property. Place was built in the mid 1980s (not by me) and has some, umm, questionable things (nothing unsafe, just stuff like sheds possibly too close to property lines that may or may not be permitted). Him taking me to task on as payback for daring to question his authority seems like a real possibility.

Just to preface how thing started off with this guy, the first thing he asked about within 2minutes of being on site for the first time was for the permit for my retaining wall (close to but not over the height that requires permitting) and asking me if I had any non running vehicles on the property (my city targets non running vehicles really hard). I mean, I am building a 6 car garage and own multiple vehicles, that seems like a gotcha question (all but 1 of my cars are running/driving/registered/insured). The other is an ongoing project (frame off restomod) that I started at my old shop.

For reference I live in a semi rural area and you cannot see my house or driveway from the public street, not like I have a junkyard in front of my house in the suburbs.

 

[AntonLargiader]

What is the nature of the addition? If it's just more garage space, then even 2017 doesn't require AFCI there.

I believe the AFCI requirements are completely contained in 210.12. Dwelling units, dormitories, guest suites. You can read it for yourself by registering (free) on the NFPA website.

 

[jbwilkins]

I believe you mentioned you're in Ca.....Then you're under 2016 California Building Standards Code (Title 24).....Before you start a battle quoting only the NEC you need to do some research into any amendments in the state codes.....

 

[AntonLargiader]

Scanning the 2014 NEC I don't see anything excluding garages. But the examples of dwelling unit areas covered (2014 or 2017) don't mention basements, porches or garages so it seems to be limited to the living areas. I'm pretty sure our inspectors wouldn't interpret "Dwelling unit" as including an attached garage as worded, but it may come down to local custom. At first I overlooked that your garage was attached.

What kind of panel do you have? Plug-on-neutral breakers don't take up much more space.

 

[Stuff]

Call your permit/code office and ask what code you are on and any modifications.

Official NEC versions at https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-stan...ds/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=70 - it is under NFPA 70 - FREE ACCESS - you need an account but is free.
GFCI requirements are under 210.8 and AFCI under 210.12

California specific at https://www.bnibooks.com/media/documents/CA_Supplement_No._2_10_25_18-Blue.pdf page 9

 

[Richie Rich]

What is the nature of the addition? If it's just more garage space, then even 2017 doesn't require AFCI there.

I believe the AFCI requirements are completely contained in 210.12. Dwelling units, dormitories, guest suites. You can read it for yourself by registering (free) on the NFPA website.

Thanks.

It is strictly garage space (4 car addition to an existing 2 car attached). House is a single story, garage is at one end. New addition doesn't even touch the house save for where the old garage door used to be.

 

[Richie Rich]

I believe you mentioned you're in Ca.....Then you're under 2016 California Building Standards Code (Title 24).....Before you start a battle quoting only the NEC you need to do some research into any amendments in the state codes.....

I am in California. Took a look at the CBSC title 24 stuff and 99% of what I saw pertains to energy efficiency, did not see any mention about AFCI stuff.

 

[alfredeneuman]

I believe you mentioned you're in Ca.....Then you're under 2016 California Building Standards Code (Title 24).....Before you start a battle quoting only the NEC you need to do some research into any amendments in the state codes.....

The 2016 California Electrical Code is copied directly from the 2014 NEC, plus the California Energy Requirements.
It cannot be amended locally except for very specific reasons (climatic, seismic and the like) and must be approved by the State in order to be enforceable.

 

[barnee]

Anything about your addition look like it can be converted to rec space in the future? Maybe he doesn't believe you wont turn part of it into playroom/bedroom after the construction is finished. A six car garage would appear somewhat suspect.


I just finished my detached garage and since the upstairs may be converted to a bedroom I went ahead and put in the AFCI for the upstairs outlets, smoke detectors, and upstairs lights. In my area you need AFCI for sleeping rooms.

 

[JJ13]

Now I know that starting a battle with an inspector is never a good idea but this guy has exceeded the "tough but fair" thing throughout the entire process of construction and has offered no shortage of attitude to both myself and my general contractor.

Sounds like the worst guy in my city. I just happened to get him to inspect my deck that I built. He told me I poured the footings and hit them with more accuracy than most of the professionals and then went on to tell me he could feel the one step that was 1/16" out of spec. Turned out I had shimmed that side slightly to take the warp out of the stairs and compensate for the slight slope I put on the deck (previously had water getting in under the previous owners poorly flashed sliding glass door with moderate to heavy storms).

I removed the shim and the slight warp was distributed over the entire stairs fixing that 1/16" out of spec rise. I laughed out loud watching him bounce-walk his way up and down saying he could definitely feel it. I wanted to tell him I'm a USPS mail carrier and he should walk most any route in the nicer area where I deliver...he'd find so much more than 1/16" out of code compliance yet they never seem to care about settling, frost heave, nor total neglect resulting in cracked/rotted stairs.

Good luck, sounds like that inspector should have become a police officer.

 

[Richie Rich]

Anything about your addition look like it can be converted to rec space in the future? Maybe he doesn't believe you wont turn part of it into playroom/bedroom after the construction is finished. A six car garage would appear somewhat suspect.


I just finished my detached garage and since the upstairs may be converted to a bedroom I went ahead and put in the AFCI for the upstairs outlets, smoke detectors, and upstairs lights. In my area you need AFCI for sleeping rooms.

That was brought up several times during this process. "Are you sure this won't be living space". Given the demographics of California (estimated 100k people living in illegal garage conversions) it is not too out of line of a question I guess.

But no, it is just the wife and I here. No kids, no plans for kids, roommates or adding an illegal apartment to our house. Just have a lot of cars and other hobbies that take up a lot of space.

I was talking to my neighbor about this yesterday. Apparently they went through the same wringer when they built a 30x50 attached about a decade ago. Then again, my build sailed through plan check with only minor paperwork corrections and everybody in the building department office has been totally pleasant to deal with except for this guy.

Found out I have an ace in the hole. My GC is buddies with one of the senior guys at the city, possibly the one that our inspector was low key badmouthing for "not catching this at plan check". He will be contacted if this guy continues to push the issue.

 

[Richie Rich]

Sounds like the worst guy in my city. I just happened to get him to inspect my deck that I built. He told me I poured the footings and hit them with more accuracy than most of the professionals and then went on to tell me he could feel the one step that was 1/16" out of spec. Turned out I had shimmed that side slightly to take the warp out of the stairs and compensate for the slight slope I put on the deck (previously had water getting in under the previous owners poorly flashed sliding glass door with moderate to heavy storms).

I removed the shim and the slight warp was distributed over the entire stairs fixing that 1/16" out of spec rise. I laughed out loud watching him bounce-walk his way up and down saying he could definitely feel it. I wanted to tell him I'm a USPS mail carrier and he should walk most any route in the nicer area where I deliver...he'd find so much more than 1/16" out of code compliance yet they never seem to care about settling, frost heave, nor total neglect resulting in cracked/rotted stairs.

Good luck, sounds like that inspector should have become a police officer.

Funny thing is, that is the exact vibe I got from this guy. That he wanted really badly to be a cop but couldn't pass the psych eval. It was either building inspector or security guard as far as career pathways for him.

 

[jdsac]

I'm in California, in our county any new / remodel work has to conform to the 2017 nec

 

[6768rogues]

I would challenge the inspector. They cannot tell you that you violated a law without telling you exactly what law you violated. When they give you the specific code citation, see if it is applicable. If not, bring that up. If he does not agree, either do what he says or go over his head. I challenge inspectors regularly and I win the argument over 50% of the time. I don't act like a know it all, I just act like I want to understand and I read the code myself.

 

[checkthisout]

2017 NEC doesn't require AFCI for garages.

The inspector has to fail you in writing and cite the rule you broke (referenced in the written violation).

The violation should also contain the text in the rule that you specifically broke.

In other words OP, this isn't a "gotcha" where they get to play games by sending you on a wild goose chase. They should be open and up front and armed with the correct information and more than willing to open up the "the book" and explain to you exactly what you need to do.

It's no ones word or expertise against someone elses. It's simply a matter of having your wiring match what's written in the code book.

 

[checkthisout]

To add OP, also make sure you're not confusing AFCI with GFCI. All your garage circuits have to be protected with GFCI outlets (first in circuit) or breakers.

 

[alfredeneuman]

I'm in California, in our county any new / remodel work has to conform to the 2017 nec

The California Building Code is updated every 3 years.
The last was 2016, the next will be 2019.

The timeline is here:
https://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/bsc/2018TriCycle/2018TriCycleTimeline-v01-03-2017.pdf

 

[jdsac]

The California Building Code is updated every 3 years.
The last was 2016, the next will be 2019.

The timeline is here:
https://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/bsc/2018TriCycle/2018TriCycleTimeline-v01-03-2017.pdf

This is from the County of Sacramento Bldg Webpage:
doesn't mention garages but the rest is pretty clear-

Building
Permits
& Inspection
Division
General Information: (916) 875-5296
www.building.saccounty.net
Document # EC
-06
Last update: 4/24
/2017
Page
1
of
1



ARC
-FAULT CIRCUIT
-INTERRUPTER PROTECTION
BF Arc
-Fault Circuit
-Interrupter Protection
(A) Definition: Arc
-Fault Circuit Interrupter An arc
-fault circuit interrupter is a device intended
to provide protection
from the effects of arc faults by recognizing characteristics unique to arcing and by functioning to de-
energize the
circuit when an arc fault is detected.
(B) All 120
-volt, single phase, 15-
and 20-
ampere branch circuits supplying o
utlets installed in dwelling unit family
rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways,
or similar rooms or areas shall be protected by a listed arc
-fault circuit interrupter, combinati
on type, installed to
provide protection of the branch circuit.
FPN: For information on types of arc
-fault circuit interrupters, Standard for Arc
-Fault Circuit Interrupters.
Exception 1: Where RMC, IMC, EMT or steel armored cable, Type AC, meeting the requ
irements of the CEC using
metal outlet and junction boxes is installed for the portion of the branch circuit between the branch-
circuit overcurrent
device and the first outlet, it shall be permitted to install a combination AFCI at the first outlet to prov
ide protection for
the remaining portion of the branch circuit.
Exception 2: Where a branch circuit to a fire alarm system installed in accordance with the CEC is installed in RMC,
IMC, EMT, or steel armored cable, Type AC, meeting the requirements of the CEC, with metal outlet and junction
boxes, AFCI protection may be omitted

 

[Richie Rich]

To add OP, also make sure you're not confusing AFCI with GFCI. All your garage circuits have to be protected with GFCI outlets (first in circuit) or breakers.

For sure not confusing the two.
AFCI was what is being discussed. GFCI is already in place on existing garage circuits (first receptacles are GFCI). Kitchen/bath circuits have GFCI breakers at my house as well.

If it was a matter of dropping in a couple of AFCI breakers I would do so. But the AFCI breakers for my panel take up more space then the regular breakers and the panel is full.

Also kind of annoying (and potentially expensive) having the young hotshot inspector overruling the plans that the city approved. Had the city said something during plan check, I would have adjusted things and/or budgeted for a panel replacement.

 

[checkthisout]

For sure not confusing the two.
AFCI was what is being discussed. GFCI is already in place on existing garage circuits (first receptacles are GFCI). Kitchen/bath circuits have GFCI breakers at my house as well.

If it was a matter of dropping in a couple of AFCI breakers I would do so. But the AFCI breakers for my panel take up more space then the regular breakers and the panel is full.

Also kind of annoying (and potentially expensive) having the young hotshot inspector overruling the plans that the city approved. Had the city said something during plan check, I would have adjusted things and/or budgeted for a panel replacement.

Yes, well let us know the outcome.

Also, is your panel really full? Are any 120V circuits using a full space? If so you can get the 1/2 breakers and squeeze those circuits down so 2 circuits are only taking up a single space. You can also do this on 240V breakers. They make the triple breakers with the handle ties that allows you to do two 120V circuits and a 240V in two spaces.