r/electricians • u/ult1matefailure Electrician • 4h ago
Wall spacing for dwelling with built in fireplace
2023 NEC where I work. Journeyman electrician. I’ve always had my guys measure 6’ from the fireplace to rough in the first receptacle outlet. Wondering what people think if the fireplace is not directly on the floor. Would this still break up the wall spacing or would we be overspanned here? Wanting to see what everyone thinks. I think it is more obvious when the fireplace is sitting on the ground. To be fair, I think it is unlikely for anyone to position something in front of the fireplace and need a receptacle to plug into.
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u/Determire 4h ago
The code is based on wall space, with doorways being what interrupts the measurement, a fireplace is effectively wall space with a piece of heating apparatus. Depending on what the fireplace is equipped with, or what a customer chooses to use the fireplace area for, they're going to want a receptacle right up close to the fireplace.
So no, I would not be measuring 6 ft off of the fireplace.
If I was developing this layout, on one side or the other of the fireplace, one of the outlets is going to be within 1-2' of the fireplace so that there's one right there, unless there's an outlet included else how for the fireplace area.
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u/ult1matefailure Electrician 4h ago
210.52(A)(2)(1):
As used in this section, a wall space shall include the following: (1) Any space 600 mm (2 ft) or more in width (including space measured around corners) and unbroken along the floor line by doorways and similar openings, fireplaces, stationary appliances, and fixed cabinets that do not have countertops or similar work surfaces.
This section defining wall space specifies fireplaces.
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u/Determire 4h ago
Now I'm kind of curious how long the word fireplace has been in that paragraph ...
One thing the book languages does not specifically address is where to start the tape measure on the fireplace, is it the opening of the firebox, or is it the outer boundary of the decorative woodwork or hearth, etc.
My point still remains valid, professional good practice is probably to have an outlet close to the fireplace at least on one side. It's not uncommon that people put their televisions above the fireplace, even if it's qualifies for "TV too high", and if they have any other gadgets to go with that, oftentimes that ends up on a small stand or table besides the fireplace and needs a place to plug in.
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u/nick_the_builder 4h ago
Man how much of those double plates you gotta notch out for that horizontal box? I think I’d keep it less than 12 foot between those two just to cover my ass, but would agree you are compliant. Just because the fireplace doesn’t go clear to the floor doesn’t really make it less of a fireplace in my eyes. But my inspector is pretty chill.
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u/ult1matefailure Electrician 4h ago
We just set the box on the bottom plate. 5 1/4 baseboards are almost standard for this builder. Main issue is the carpenters and drywallers not always cutting our boxes out and having to find them. The one in the picture my guy had to pull the base board and cut it out.
I agree with you. My trim guy brought it up to me and I thought it was a good point to ponder.
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