The State of Georgia adopted the 2005 National Electrical Code® to be effective January 1, 2006 as the state’s basic wiring standard along with the following amendments, which are amendments recommended by the Georgia State Codes Advisory Committee:

Chapter 2 – Wiring and Protection
Article 210 – Branch Circuits

*Revise Section 210.8(B), Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel: Other than dwelling Units’ as follows:

210.8 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel.

(B) Other Than Dwelling Units.  All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in the locations specified in (1) through (6) shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel:

Bathrooms

Commercial and institutional kitchens – for the purposes of this section, a kitchen is an area with a sink and permanent facilities for food preparation and cooking

Rooftops

Outdoors in public places – for the purpose of this section a public space is defined as any space that is used by, or is accessible to, the public

Exception to (3) and (4): Receptacles that are not readily accessible and are supplied from a dedicated branch circuit for electric snow-melting or deicing equipment shall be permitted to be installed in accordance with the applicable provisions of Article 426.

Outdoors, where installed to comply with 210.63

Within 6 feet of a sink or basin, excluding those listed in Section 517.21

*Revise Section 210.12(B) ‘Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection: Dwelling Unit Bedrooms’ as follows:

210.12(B) Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection.

(B) Dwelling Unit Bedrooms.  All 120-volt, single phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling unit bedrooms shall be protected by a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter to provide protection of the branch circuit.

FPN: For information on types of arc-fault circuit interrupters, see UL 1699-1999, Standard for Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters.

Exception:  The location of the arc-fault circuit interrupter shall be permitted to be at other than the origination of the branch circuit in compliance with (a) and (b): 

(a) The arc-fault circuit interrupter installed within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the branch circuit overcurrent device as measured along the branch circuit conductors.

(b) The circuit conductors between the branch circuit overcurrent device and the arc-fault circuit interrupter shall be installed in a metal raceway or a cable with a metallic sheath.

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs Board specifically omitted the plumbing and electrical requirements of the International Residential Code for One- and two-Family Dwellings. Therefore, the plumbing requirements of the International Plumbing Code and the electrical requirements of the National Electrical Code must be used for one- and two-family dwelling construction.

Local Amendments:

The Uniform Codes Act in Georgia provides that local governments may, under certain conditions, adopt local amendments to the state minimum standard codes. It should be noted that the Georgia Department of Community Affairs does not approve or disapprove any local amendment. The department provides a recommendation only. However, in order to enforce any local amendment, the local government must submit the proposed amendment to DCA for review (O. C. G. A. Section 8-2-25(c).

There are several requirements local governments must meet in order to enact a local code amendment. These requirements are as follows:

The requirements in the proposed local amendment cannot be less stringent than the requirements in the state minimum standard codes;

The local requirements must be based on local climatic, geologic, topographic, or public safety factors;

The legislative findings of the local governing body must identify the need for the more stringent requirements; and

The local government must submit the proposed amendment to DCA 60 days prior to the proposed adoption of such an amendment.

After submittal of the proposed local amendment, DCA has 60 days in which to forward any recommendations to the local government. DCA may respond in three ways: recommend adoption of the amendment, recommend the amendment not be adopted, or have no comment on the amendment.  If DCA recommends against the adoption of the proposed amendment, the local governing body must vote specifically to reject DCA’s recommendation before the local amendment can be adopted and enforced. If DCA fails to respond within the 60-day timeframe, the local government may adopt the proposed local amendment.

Other Code News From Georgia:

A Task Force appointed by the Georgia State Codes Advisory Committee (SCAC) is currently looking at the 2006 International Building Code and if recommended by the SCAC to the Georgia Legislature will replace the 2000 International Building Code as the state’s primary building installation standard.  Currently, Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes as of January 1, 2006 include:

International Building Code2000 Edition

International Fuel Gas Code 2000 Edition

International Mechanical Code2000 Edition 

International Plumbing Code 2000 Edition 

National Electrical Code 2005 Edition 

International Fire Code  2003 Edition 

International Energy Conservation Code 2000 Edition 

International Residential Code 2000 Edition 

Further information on DCA’s Construction Codes Program may be obtained by calling 404-679-3118 or from DCA’s website at www.dca.state.ga.us

Contact John Minick:  johndminick@comcast.net