406.12 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles.
Code Change Summary: Revised code language. The 2020 NEC® has expanded the locations where tamper-resistant receptacles are required.
Each code cycle, the use of tamper-resistant receptacles is expanded. The 2020 NEC® is no different. During the 2020 code cycle, there were 11 code change proposals (public inputs or PI’s) to make modifications to this section.
This code change adds the following new areas to the existing list of locations where tamper-resistant receptacles must be used:
- Attached and detached garages and accessory buildings to dwelling units, and common areas of multifamily dwellings
- Motels, and their common areas
- All education facilities (previously only preschool and elementary)
- Assisted living facilities
Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2020 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.
2017 Code Language:
406.12 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles. All 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt nonlocking-type receptacles in the areas specified in 406.12(1) through (7) shall be listed tamper-resistant receptacles.
(1) Dwelling units in all areas specified in 210.52 and 550.13
(2) Guest rooms and guest suites of hotels and motels
(3) Child care facilities
(4) Preschools and elementary education facilities
(5) Business offices, corridors, waiting rooms and the like in clinics, medical and dental offices and outpatient facilities
(6) Subset of assembly occupancies described in 518.2 to include places of waiting transportation, gymnasiums, skating rinks, and auditoriums
(7) Dormitories
Informational Note: This requirement would include receptacles identified as 5-15, 5-20, 6-15, and 6-20 in ANSI/NEMA WD 6-2016, Wiring Devices — Dimensional Specifications.
Exception to (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), and (7): Receptacles in the following locations shall not be required to be tamper resistant:
(1) Receptacles located more than 1.7 m (5 ½ ft) above the floor
(2) Receptacles that are part of a luminaire or appliance
(3) A single receptacle or a duplex receptacle for two appliances located within the dedicated space for each appliance that, in normal use, is not easily moved from one place to another and that is cord-and-plug-connected in accordance with 400.10(A)(6), (A)(7), or (A)(8)
(4) Nongrounding receptacles used for replacements as permitted in 406.4(D)(2)(a)
2020 Code Language:
406.12 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles. All 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt nonlocking-type receptacles in the areas specified in 406.12(1) through (8) shall be listed tamper-resistant receptacles.
(1) Dwelling units, including attached and detached garages and accessory buildings to dwelling units, and common areas of multifamily dwellings specified in 210.52 and 550.13
(2) Guest rooms and guest suites of hotels, motels, and their common areas
(3) Child care facilities
(4) Preschools and education facilities
(5) Business offices, corridors, waiting rooms and the like in clinics, medical and dental offices, and outpatient facilities
(6) Subset of assembly occupancies described in 518.2 to include places of awaiting transportation, gymnasiums, skating rinks, and auditoriums
(7) Dormitory units
(8) Assisted living facilities
Informational Note No. 1: This requirement would include receptacles identified as 5-15, 5-20, 6-15, and 6-20 in ANSI/NEMA WD 6-2016, Wiring Devices — Dimensional Specifications.
Informational Note No. 2: Assisted living facilities are Institutional Use Group I-1 per IBC 2015.
Exception to (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) and (8): Receptacles in the following locations shall not be required to be tamper resistant:
(1) Receptacles located more than 1.7 m (5 ½ ft) above the floor
(2) Receptacles that are part of a luminaire or appliance
(3) A single receptacle, or a duplex receptacle for two appliances, located within the dedicated space for each appliance that, in normal use, is not easily moved from one place to another and that is cord-and-plug-connected in accordance with 400.10(A)(6), (A)(7), or (A)(8)
(4) Nongrounding receptacles used for replacements as permitted in 406.4(D)(2)(a)