Electrical codes are a local option. The governmental unit that has
jurisdiction (county, city, town, etc.) adopts various codes which are
developed by national, or in some cases regional, organizations.
There is much serious work that goes into developing each new version
of the code. When a new code is finalized and published, the local
government, may choose to adopt it immediately, or it may choose not
to. In that case, the previously adopted code continues to govern.
For example, on a complicated mechanichal, fire code question, the
inspector had failed the work and I could not get a clear answer. I
asked the fire inpector, the building inspector, the architect and the
contractor to meet at the job. The first thing they discovered was
that there were three different sets of codes between them, as the
town had not adopted the latest three revisions of the codes.
So your first step is determine what government unit has jurisdiction.
Secondly, contact them and ask them what version of the electrical
code they are using. At that point I can answer your specific
question about "receptacles" (as the code does not recognize
"outlets").
Generally, the rule requiring receptacles is one every twelve feet of
running wall. The logic being that all corded appliances have six
foot cords, and therefore you would never need an extension cord (a
major source of fires and shorts). In most bathrooms, that rule
would only require one recepticle, which for convenience is always
close to the lavatory sink, and is required to be "Ground Fault
Protected" or GFI.
If you have your walls open, I found it better to add more recepticles
than the minimum only because the cost is so low in comparison to the
convenience of not having a receptacle where you need it.
For example, during renovations, in addition to the required
receptacles around the room, I place one in tandem with the light
switch by the door. That way I am never crawling under furniture
looking for a place to plug in the vacuum cleaner.
So tell me what code governs your real estate and will try to get you
a specific answer. |
