"other than outlets installed in kitchens, bathrooms, unfinished basements, garages, and outdoors."

2-166 Log #676 NEC-P02 Final Action: Reject
(210.12(B))
_______________________________________________________________
Submitter: Ray C. Mullin, Ray C. Mullin Books
Recommendation: Revise text to read as follows:
210.12 Arc-fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection.
(B) Dwelling Units. All 120-volt, single phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch
circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling units 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, combination-type, installed to provide
protection of the branch circuit.
Exception No. 1: Exempt from (B) are 120-volt, single phase, 15- and
20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling units that are
required to have GFCI protection as stipulated in 210.8(A).
Note: It shall be permitted to provide both AFCI and GFCI protection for 120-
volt, single phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed
in dwelling units.
Exception No. 2: Insert current Exception No. 1.
Exception No. 3: Insert current Exception No. 2.
Substantiation: There is much confusion in the interpretation of 210.12(B).
Down the road, AFCI and GFCI devices will become available in many types.
The “Laundry list” of rooms really does not cover all types of rooms that come
under many different names.
My proposal is quite simple to understand and enforce.
Panel Meeting Action: Reject
Panel Statement: The list of rooms is consistent and easy to understand since
it was based on a similar list in NEC 210.52(A). The submitter’s claim that
AFCI protection is not required where GFCI protection is required is
inaccurate. AFCI protection and GFCI protection are two independent
protections that accomplish two different objectives. AFCI protection is for
protection from fire ignition for the branch circuit. GFCI protection is for
protection from electrocution. Currently, there are areas of the dwelling that
would require both forms of protection - one example is a wet bar located
within a den or family room. The receptacles within 6 ft of the wet bar must
have GFCI protection and the circuits supplying all outlets in the room must
have AFCI protection. The panel does not agree that the current provisions are
confusing - branch circuits supplying outlets in the rooms specified in
210.12(B) must be provided with AFCI protection. Receptacles installed as
specified in 210.8(B) must have GFCI protection. Both requirements coexist
and must be complied with.
Number Eligible to Vote: 12
Ballot Results: Affirmative: 11 Abstain: 1
Explanation of Abstention:
ORLOWSKI, S.: Please see NAHB’s Comment on Proposal 2-152.

2-174 Log #3451 NEC-P02 Final Action: Reject
(210.12(B))
_______________________________________________________________
Submitter: Larry Logan, Township of Princeton
Recommendation: Add text to read as follows:
Dwellings Units. All 120 volt, single phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch
circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling units 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, combination-type, installed to provide
protection of the branch circuit.
Substantiation: If, in fact, we are trying to protect the BRANCH CIRCUIT
from arc-fault hazards, then the circuits that are protected by GFCI devices
should not be excluded. I’m sure some members of Code Making Panel 2 must
have seen the result of staples in walls or screws piercing wires that have
caused fires from the arc effect, but may not have been a ground fault. I also
believe that most GFCI protection is provided by a receptacle type device in
homes, thus, leaving the BRANCH CIRCUIT unprotected until the first device.
This proposal would also do away with the litany of room types required to be
protected.
Panel Meeting Action: Reject
Panel Statement: In the 2008 NEC cycle the panel expanded AFCI to the list
of locations and rooms as shown in 210.12(B). It is the intent of the panel to
continue with AFCI in currently listed locations and rooms through the 2011
NEC. This expansion is independent of the requirements for GFCI.
Number Eligible to Vote: 12
Ballot Results: Affirmative: 11 Abstain: 1
Explanation of Abstention:
ORLOWSKI, S.: Please see NAHB’s Comment on Proposal 2-152.

2-177 Log #4713 NEC-P02 Final Action: Reject
(210.12(B))
_______________________________________________________________
Submitter: Robert P. McGann, City of Cambridge
Recommendation: Revise text as follows:
Dwelling Unit (Habitable Areas and closets and hallways) (Family Rooms,
Dining Rooms, Living Rooms, Parlors, Libraries, Dens, Bedrooms, sun rooms,
recreation rooms, closets, hallways or similar rooms or areas.
Substantiation: The terminology similar rooms or areas is confusing, at best.
For example when your dining area is in a dwelling is the kitchen counter top.
This would solve that confusion and also give expanded protection into areas
that only have GFCI protection, which is not a safe guard for the hazards that
AFCI would protect against.
Panel Meeting Action: Reject
Panel Statement: The current wording is based largely on the list from
210.52(A). There have not been significant issues with interpreting the words
of 210.52(A) that have existed for a number of code cycles and as such there
should be no similar interpretation problems with the 210.12(B) wording.
Number Eligible to Vote: 12
Ballot Results: Affirmative: 11 Abstain: 1
Explanation of Abstention:
ORLOWSKI, S.: Please see NAHB’s Comment on Proposal 2-152.
_________________________________________

Does 210.12(B)require outlets in a laundry room to be Arc-Fault protected?