Title 16 - Buildings and Construction

16.110 Residential Code for One- & Two-Family Dwellings

16.110.E3902.16

Section E3902.16 of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is hereby amended to read as follows:

E3902.16 Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupters.

BAll branch circuits that supply 120-volt, single phase 15- and 20-amphere receptacles installed in bedrooms shall be protected by any of the following: [210.12(A)]

  1. 1.
    A listed combination-type arc-fault circuit-interrupter, installed to provide protection of the entire branch circuit. [210.12(A)(1)]
  2. 2.
    A listed branch/feeder-type AFCI installed at the origin of the branch-circuit in combination with a listed outlet branch-circuit-type arc-fault circuit-interrupter installed at the first outlet box in the branch circuit shall be marked to indicate that it is the first outlet of the circuit.  [210.12(A)(2)]
  3. 3.
    A listed supplemental arc-protection circuit breaker installed at the origin of the branch circuit in combination with a listed outlet branch-circuit-type arc-fault circuit-interrupter installed at the first outlet box on the branch circuit where all of the following conditions are met:

3.1. The branch-circuit wiring shall be continuous from the branch-circuit overcurrent device to the outlet branch-circuit arc-fault circuit interrupter.

3.2.  The maximum length of the branch-circuit wiring from the branch-circuit overcurrent device to the first outlet shall not exceed 50 feet for 14AWG conductors and 70 feet for 12AWG conductors.

3.3  The first outlet box on the branch circuit shall be marked to indicate that it is the first outlet on the circuit.  [210.12(A)(3)]

  1. 4.
    A listed outlet branch-circuit type arc-fault circuit-interrupter installed at the first outlet on the branch circuit in combination with a listed branch-circuit overcurrent protective device where all of the following conditions are met.

4.1. The branch-circuit wiring shall be continuous from the branch-circuit overcurrent device to the outlet branch-circuit arc-fault circuit interrupter.

4.2.  The maximum length of the branch-circuit wiring from the branch-circuit overcurrent device to the first outlet shall not exceed 50 feet for 14AWG conductors and 70 feet for 12AWG conductors.

4.3  The first outlet box on the branch circuit shall be marked to indicate that it is the first outlet on the circuit.

4.4 The combination of the branch-circuit overcurrent device and outlet branch-circuit AFCI shall be identified as meeting the requirements for a system combination-type AFCI and shall be listed as such. [210.12(A)(4)]

  1. 5.
    Where metal outlet boxes and junction boxes and RMC, IMC, EMT, Type MC or steel-armored Type AC cables meeting the requirements of Section E3908.8, metal wireways or metal auxiliary gutters are installed for the portion of the branch circuit between the branch-circuit overcurrent device and the first outlet, a listed outlet branch-circuit type AFCI installed at the first outlet shall be considered as providing protection for the remaining portion of the branch circuit. [210.12(A)(5)]
  2. 6.
    Where a listed metal or nonmetallic conduit or tubing of Type MC cable is encased in not less than 2 inches of concrete for the portion of the branch circuit between the branch-circuit overcurrent device and the first outlet, a listed outlet branch-circuit-type AFCI installed at the first outlet shall be considered as providing protection for the remaining portion of the branch circuit [210.12(A)(6)]

Exception:  AFCI protection is not required for individual branch circuits supplying a garage door opener, fire alarm, security system, sump pump, refrigerator, freezer or electric vehicle charger.

(History:  Ord. BC-3286 §88, 2020)

Effective on: 1/1/1901