Article 100 Habitable Room.

Based on the new definition, is this room considered habitable?
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Based on the new definition, is this room considered habitable?

Code Change Summary: New code definition of a “habitable room”.

The NEC® has many requirements for electrical wiring in “habitable rooms” but until the 2020 NEC®, there has never been an official definition other than what can be found in other building codes.

For example, Section 210.70(A)(1) requires at least one wall switch–controlled lighting outlet to be installed in every habitable room, kitchen, and bathroom. Based on the 2017 code language, and the lack of a definition of a habitable room in the 2017 NEC®, is a light switch-controlled lighting outlet required in a closet, hallway or storage room?

According to the 2020 NEC®, a habitable room is a room in a building for living, sleeping, eating, or cooking, but excluding bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, hallways, storage or utility spaces, and similar areas.

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:

This code definition did not exist.

2020 Code Language:

Article 100.

N Habitable Room. A room in a building for living, sleeping, eating, or cooking, but excluding bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, hallways, storage or utility spaces, and similar areas.

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Article 100 Habitable Room.

Below is a Real Question from our Electrical Continuing Education Courses for Electrical License Renewal:

Refer to the image:

Based on the 2020 NEC, which of the following is true?

A: Room “A” is habitable.
B: Room “A” is not habitable.
C: Room “B” is habitable.
D: Neither room “A” nor “B” is habitable.
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