Does a bathroom have to have an outlet?

Question

The condo am in now never had an outlet.  my condo was burned recently and i am asking the insurance to add an outlet to my bathroom since the whole condo requires a new circtbraker.  They don't want to do that since it never had one before.  I am asking does the law require the all bathroom have an outlet?

Answer 1

 

Hi Kidesttsegay,

 

Yes, the law requires an electrical outlet receptacle in a bathroom. The following code 2008 NEC (National Electrical Code) references state: 

 

210.8 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel.

 (A) Dwelling Units. All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in the locations specified in (1) through (8) shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.

(1) Bathrooms

 

210.52 (D) Bathrooms. 

In dwelling units, at least one receptacle outlet shall be installed in bathrooms within 900 mm (3 ft) of the outside edge of each basin. The receptacle outlet shall be located on a wall or partition that is adjacent to the basin or basin countertop, or installed on the side or face of the basin cabinet not more than 300 mm (12 in.) below the countertop.

 

Those requirements are the same for 1999, 2002 & 2005 NEC editions.

 

A general rule is that in case of a remodeling that involves complete replacement of the wall finishes (drywall, plaster, etc.) that concealed electrical components inside the wall, the exposed electrical wiring should be updated to the currently adopted / enforced local building code.

 

I’m not sure how would that apply to the insurance claims and you should probably contact your local building department and ask them about this situation.

 

I don’t think the building inspector would approve such installation any way since it is a safety issue; one of the reasons for a bathroom to have an electrical outlet receptacle is to prevent usage of extension cords for a hair dryer or other equipment (possibility of overheating, tripping, etc.) 

 

You can check my post – bathroom GFCI  for more information about the bathroom's electrical wiring. 

 

Just click "comment" below if you have additional questions.

Comments

Thank you for your prompt answer.  I also have a problem with flooring and noise reduction.  Besides the cork material that is placed btween the wood floor and the wood to make the surface stable, what can we put to reduce noise that we make which bothers downstairs and us being bothered by upstairs?

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You are welcome .

 

1. Search in Google for "noise reducing hardwood floor underlayment". There are various materials besides cork that can be used. 
2. If there’s sufficient space between the floor and the ceiling, insulation can be blown in or installed prior to the drywall installation. 
3. Search in Google for “noise reducing drywall”. This can be installed as well but it’s probably more expensive than a regular sheetrock and the insurance might not cover it for you.