Would arc-fault be required in an enclosed cabana that is detached from the house? Would arc-fault be required for a detached exercise room or a game room?

Ray

I see this as no for AFCI but you may need GFCI. The cabanas I have seen had a basin and a toilet (a bathroom).

A Cabana does not require Arc-Fault protection, it is an accessory structure not a Dwelling unit, But according to 210.8(A)(2) it does require GFCI protection

I was thinking the same thing but "habitable room" does not seem to be defined in the NEC and I did not want to make that leap. Is this cabana "finished"?
If you drywall a basement or garage and throw down carpet/tile we call it a habitable room lifting the general GFCI requirement, bringing in the required outlet rules.
Still considering the use (wet swimmers), I would squeeze the rules as hard as I could to get GFCIs in there.
If there is a basin and a shower or toilet, that is a slam dunk.

My answer to the original question would be to err on the side of caution and say:

yes,
yes,
yes.

In my opinion, the code language clearly favors the "yes" response. Where are AFCI's required in the 2008 NEC?

All 120-volt, single phase, 15 & 20 amp branch circuits that supply power to the outlets located in

* family rooms
* dinning rooms
* living rooms
* libraries
* dens
* parlors
* bedrooms
* SUNROOMS
* RECREATION ROOMS
* closets
* hallways
* SIMILAR ROOMS OR AREAS

Nick; I would respectfull disagree,210.12(B) references Dwelling units, I would think that any of the rooms described in that section would be attached to and part of the dwelling unit and yes do require Arc-Fault protection, but The Cabanna is an Accessory structure and not covered by 210.12. Having said that, I would agree the prudent thing to do, would be to protect the circuit, especially if it is fed from the Dwelling unit panel,Raymfl doesn't elude to where this cabanna is fed from

PS, I almost agree with you. The reason I don't is because we cannot see the plan and nowadays some designers are labeling anything as anything, as long as it saves a code requirement or two. Since the AFCI requirement is more and more encompassing I'd still err on the side of caution...at this point (for the purposes of answering the post).

ok I'll buy that,

The cabana is enclosed and finished, so it is more like a recreation room so I'd say it should be AFCI. There is also a reference to structures in FBC R202 that includes all structures on the lot as being a part there of. Let me know if you think this applies.

Ray

I think if I had my choice, from a safety standpoint, I would rather see a GFCI than an AFCI. The biggest hazard is to a barefooted, wet swimmer. 30ma GF protection is not enough to guarantee life safety.