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Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Question:
My question: If an existing bathroom is non-compliant in a home. Is there a problem with it being as how it is existing? I understand that the problem is when there is a remodel project that requires electrical work on that bathroom or if the customer is having nuisance tripping and calls an electrician to repair the problem. Than it must be brought up to code compliance. The previous question does not indicate he is having a problem or remodeling. We have hundreds of non-compliant bathrooms in our town.
Bill
A
Answer:
Hey Bill thanks for your question. The NEC is intended to be adopted and enforced by some governmental body (AHJ) as stated in 90.4. It is usually enforced through a municipality permit process that can be required for new installations and modifications to existing installations but the details are up to the municipality. Although Annex H is informative and not part of the NEC unless specifically adopted, it provides wording about new and existing installations including additions, alterations and repairs in 80.9. Specifically in 80.9(B) allows existing installations to be used, even if they do not comply with the present NEC unless the AHJ determines that an imminent danger to occupants exists. That situation probably exists in all towns.