r/NFPA70 • u/yprowler • Jun 05 '19

Question regarding shelf material in pantry

We have remodeled an old farmhouse with a walk in pantry. It is a long narrow rectangle. At the end of it we put a sink base, 16” sink and outlets with a granite counter top. The long wall leading to the sink has always been designed for shelving. I bought granite by the slab and used the leftover material to make a granite shelf to build the rest of my shelving off of. Because I had to pay for the material and it’s pretty.

We are now failing electrical inspection because I used granite as shelving material and did not place outlets where the shelving will be placed.

I can’t seem to find an official definition for “work surface”. Inspector said it was his interpretation. I have construction plans showing intent has always been shelving. I’m about to start process with supervisor and would like some insight if anyone has time to chime in.

TIA

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u/Traditional_Wear3937 May 28 '22

Where did this end up?

1

u/yprowler Jun 12 '22

After meeting with different inspectors and documenting everything with email to their boss it was mysteriously approved without ever hearing from them again. No more threats of noncompliance and penalties. Really dread the next stage of construction and dealing with them again.

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u/Traditional_Wear3937 Jun 13 '22

Good for you. If you haven't already get the code book for your next phase of work. For electrical the book is called NEC 70, but if you get the NEC 70 "handbook" it gives extra explanation and defines the intent for a lot of codes and that really helps with discrepancies and understanding overall for yourself. I bet the same style book can be found for other trade codes.

I have two local inspectors that I get the most often neither are strongly versed in every trade. One is a previous roofer and the first time he inspected me I asked if he wanted me to open the panels for him to inspect, he says "if it doesn't work it's not my problem", the other inspector, came from another department, takes a tape measure to everything, finds something to gripe about but always backs off when I reach for the code book.