Overview
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) are not installed on outlets/circuits in damp/wet locations or outlets in damp/wet locations are not protected by water-tight housings.
There are two separate concepts here; GFCI and water-tight housing. But both are about prevention of shock in a wet environment. Outdoor installations and areas that are intended to be washed down need water-tight housings over the GFCI outlets and other electrical services (e.g., lights). An example would be an animal housing room that is often cleaned using a power washer. Outlets protected by GFCI are needed when the outlet is close enough to a water source to create a potential shock hazard, but water-tight housing is not needed.
Common water sources in a laboratory setting include water supplies in fume hoods, sinks, water filtration units, water baths, aquariums, hoses, eyewash and emergency shower stations, etc. These areas would need GFCI-protected outlets. Recall, you can identify a GFCI outlet by the test and reset buttons. A water-tight housing has a gasket cover (see Exhibit D).
When citing this checklist item, the auditor will need to use their judgement to determine whether the hazard is an imminent danger for workers to be electrically shocked or electrocuted. If the auditor is unable to determine if an outlet is an imminent danger, then they must discuss this with the Senior Specialist. It is important to provide sufficient detail about the location and context of the potentially hazardous situation so the Building Lead can accurately convey the hazard to the PI. Photos are especially useful in making determinations. Many of the outlets near sinks in UNL’s laboratories do not appear to be protected with GFCI but may be GFCI protected at the electrical panel. Auditors are NOT to open electrical panels to verify.
DO NOT use the building code (NFPA 70, 210.8) prescribed distance of the outlet from the water source as your primary determination of imminent hazard. We want to focus on the likelihood of a water-based shock hazard (think splash of water or water running into the outlet).
In some cases, the occupant has mitigated the shock or electrocution hazards by placing items or equipment in front of these outlets, that would be considered an imminent danger. This will be reported to the PI to alert them of the potential but currently mitigated electrical hazard.
- Exhibit A - shows a sink and a non-GFCI outlet in close proximity to a water source (sink) and would be an imminent hazard. The Senior Specialist will make the PI aware of this hazard and if needed, Coordinate with BSM to have a GFCI outlet installed.
- Exhibit B - shows a potential imminent danger.
- Exhibit C - GFCI outlet
- Exhibit D - GFCI outlets in water-tight housing