AFCI Question

**Chris Stichter** · 12-03-2013, 07:11 PM

I recommended AFCI protection for a home was built in 2004. Waiting to hear when the AHJ required them in our area, but appears to be within that window.

The main question is this:

The electrician consulted says that AFCI protection cannot be added at this point due to multi-wire circuits. And since it "passed" county inspection it is grandfathered in. Not buying that...may have been missed by the county. Can AFCI protection be added at this point?

Thank you,

Chris

**John Kogel** · 12-03-2013, 07:21 PM

Yes, but it sounds like new wiring will need to be pulled to a few areas.

The question is which code rules had been adopted at that time. If the authority was using an earlier code version at the time, then the electrician is correct, not required to upgrade now.

**Jim Port** · 12-03-2013, 07:22 PM

Two pole AFCI breakers may not be available for the brand of panel installed. A single pole AFCI breaker cannot be used with a shared neutral.

A adopted code cycle at the time of construction may not have required the installation of the AFCI protection.

**Scott Patterson** · 12-03-2013, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by Chris Stichter

I recommended AFCI protection for a home was built in 2004. Waiting to hear when the AHJ required them in our area, but appears to be within that window.

The main question is this:

The electrician consulted says that AFCI protection cannot be added at this point due to multi-wire circuits. And since it "passed" county inspection it is grandfathered in. Not buying that...may have been missed by the county. Can AFCI protection be added at this point?

Thank you,

Chris

Yes, sometimes, maybe, depends......

A good friend of mine wrote a very informative paper on AFCI's last year. Take a look at it, I think you will find your answer and more...
http://www.codecheck.com/cc/ccimages...Code%2520Check

**Ken Rowe** · 12-03-2013, 10:35 PM

No such thing as "grandfathering" in building or electrical codes. It's up to the local jurisdiction whether they want to enforce the new codes on older construction. Typically they don't unless remodeling takes place, but the City of St. Paul, for example, requires hardwired smoke detectors in every home. The entire State of Minnesota requires CO detectors within 10 feet of every bedroom in every house.

**Jim Luttrall** · 12-04-2013, 12:30 AM

Originally Posted by Ken Rowe

No such thing as "grandfathering" in building or electrical codes. It's up to the local jurisdiction whether they want to enforce the new codes on older construction. Typically they don't unless remodeling takes place, but the City of St. Paul, for example, requires hardwired smoke detectors in every home. The entire State of Minnesota requires CO detectors within 10 feet of every bedroom in every house.

IRC R102.7 Existing Structures. The legal occupancy of any structure existing on the date of adopion of this code shall be permitted to continue without change, except as is specifically covered in this code...

This specifically provides for "grandfathering" of existing buildings. While there is no mention of "grandfathering" the principle is clearly in the code and all accepted practices that the code that was in effect at the time of construction is the ruling authority and buildings are not required to be torn down and rebuilt to adhere to changes. As with all rules, there are exceptions but they must be clearly adopted.
Kind of like requiring air bags to be added to a Model T.

**Jerry Peck** · 12-04-2013, 05:53 AM

Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall

IRC R102.7 Existing Structures. The legal occupancy of any structure existing on the date of adopion of this code shall be permitted to continue without change, except as is specifically covered in this code...

This specifically provides for "grandfathering" of existing buildings. While there is no mention of "grandfathering" the principle is clearly in the code and all accepted practices that the code that was in effect at the time of construction is the ruling authority and buildings are not required to be torn down and rebuilt to adhere to changes. As with all rules, there are exceptions but they must be clearly adopted.
Kind of like requiring air bags to be added to a Model T.

Don't forget this code: International Property Maintenance Code

**Robert Foster** · 12-04-2013, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by Scott Patterson

Yes, sometimes, maybe, depends......

A good friend of mine wrote a very informative paper on AFCI's last year. Take a look at it, I think you will find your answer and more...
http://www.codecheck.com/cc/ccimages...Code%2520Check

Thank you for posting that article. There is lots of information in there, most of which I did not know.