GFCI protection in commercial buildings
Outside dwelling units, GFCI is required in 15 locations, such as kitchens, buffet serving areas, bathrooms, rooftops, outdoors and near sinks, for receptacles on circuits of 150 V or less to ground: 125–250 V single-phase up to 50 A, and three-phase up to 100 A.
What the code requires
In other than dwelling units, GFCI protection is required for 125–250 V receptacles supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated 150 V or less to ground and 50 A or less. It is also required for all receptacles on three-phase circuits rated 150 V or less to ground and 100 A or less. The 2023 list has 15 locations.
Covered locations include bathrooms; kitchens; areas with a sink and permanent provisions for food or beverage preparation or cooking; buffet serving areas; rooftops; outdoors; indoor damp or wet locations; and receptacles and cord-and-plug-connected fixed or stationary appliances within 6 ft of the top inside edge of a sink bowl.
The list also covers locker rooms with showers; garages, accessory buildings, service bays and similar areas other than vehicle exhibition halls and showrooms; crawl spaces at or below grade; unfinished areas of basements; within 6 ft of aquariums, bait wells and similar vessels; laundry areas; and within 6 ft of the outside edge of a bathtub or shower stall.
On the job
- Break rooms, coffee bars and similar spaces with a sink and permanent provisions for food or beverage preparation are covered, and so are buffet serving areas with permanent provisions for food or beverage serving or cooking.
- The rule is not limited to 120 V. On circuits of 150 V or less to ground, it reaches 208 V and 240 V single-phase receptacles up to 50 A, and three-phase receptacles up to 100 A.
Exceptions that matter
- Receptacles that are not readily accessible and are supplied by a branch circuit dedicated to electric snow-melting, deicing, or pipeline and vessel heating equipment.
- Rooftop receptacles need only be readily accessible from the rooftop.
- Near sinks in industrial establishments with only qualified maintenance personnel and an assured equipment grounding conductor program under 590.6(B)(2), receptacles and fixed or stationary appliances that would create a greater hazard if power were interrupted, or that are not compatible with GFCI protection, may omit it.
- Near sinks in industrial laboratories, receptacles that supply equipment whose loss of power would create a greater hazard may omit GFCI protection.
- Receptacles at patient bed locations in Category 1 and Category 2 spaces of health care facilities may follow 517.21 instead.
- Listed weight-supporting ceiling receptacles (WSCR) are exempt.
What changed in 2023
In 2023 kitchens became their own item, beverage preparation was added, buffet serving areas and aquatic vessels such as aquariums and bait wells were added, and cord-and-plug-connected appliances near sinks were brought under the rule.
Related sections
- NEC 210.8(A): GFCI protection in homes
- NEC 210.8(D): GFCI for dishwashers, ranges, dryers and other appliances
- NEC 210.8(E)
- NEC 517.21
- NEC 590.6: GFCI for temporary power on job sites
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