Hello, I was inspecting a 2008 garage today. While inspecting, I observed an outlet in the garage that was not GFCI protected. The outlet in question is typically used as a golf cart charger. It’s a 20 amp dedicated outlet that is readily accessible. I’ve had people upset that I’ve called these out as needing GFCI because they say, “That’s the way the house was built.” I understand recommending a GFCI protection upgrade is the proper thing to do in this situation. I am more curious as to why these homes were built this way. Is there something in the 2008 code that I am missing?
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I have seen single receptacles like that installed in garages w/out GFCI that are “dedicated” for Freezers / Refrigerators.
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What @dwigger said, usually a 20 amp dedicated circuit.
That’s a singleplex receptacle, which, for a number of years, at least in my area, these were installed in garages without GFCI protection to prevent freezers or refrigerators from losing power and spoiling $$$ worth of meat or food.
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Could have been added after the initial build, as David and Kevin pointed out very common for the extra fridge/freezer.
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Is there an exception for them in garages?
There used to be, because builders offered it as an option, but I very seriously doubt it is anymore being that kitchen refrigerators and even garage door openers are now required to have GFCI protection.
Personally, if it was a singleplex, I wouldn’t call it out, just like I won’t call out refrigerators in kitchens that lack GFCI protection, but YMMV.
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Thanks for all the info! Do you know where I can find that exception?
No, I don’t. Maybe @rmeier2 will chime in and help.
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Drop down to your local Bldg. Dept and talk with the AHJ.
No other jurisdiction will matter in your local area!
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From the 2008 NEC:
Article 210.8 -
Exception No. 1 to (3) and (4): Receptacles that are not
readily accessible and are supplied from a dedicated
branch circuit for electric snow-melting or deicing equipment
shall be permitted to be installed without GFCI
protection.
Do you know that wasn’t the intended use? Do you know that the 2008 NEC was the adopted code for that jurisdiction during the time of build?
That’s just it, adding GFCI at that location is an upgrade and should be reported just as that. Upgrades are not useful to negotiate a house purchase.
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Well I’m located in Florida so I don’t think electric snow-melting or deicing equipment are something it would be used for 
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The 2005 NEC had two exceptions for receptacles in garages. Those were removed in the 2008 NEC. Depending on what code cycle that the house was permitted under would determine if this single receptacle was compliant at the time of construction.
2005 NEC:
210.8(2)
Garages, and also accessory buildings that have a floor located at or below grade
level not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas, and
areas of similar use
Exception No. 1 to (2): Receptacles that are not readily accessible.
Exception No. 2 to (2): A single receptacle or a duplex receptacle for two appliances
located within 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
400.7(A)(6), (A)(7), or (A)(8)2008 NEC:
210.8 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel.
FPN: See 215.9 for ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel on feeders.
(A) Dwelling Units. All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in the locations specified in
(1) through (8) shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter
protection for personnel.
(1) Bathrooms
(2) Garages, and also accessory buildings that have a floor
located at or below grade level not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas, and areas of similar use
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Thank you so much! This forum is awesome!
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Good post, Bob.
Code adaptation by a municipality typically lags a few years, and in some cases the state doesn’t adopt some portions at all. But when it comes to GFI I usually tell them when it was required and to consider improving…I made a chart on my website for easy reference.
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Lack of GFCI is not a safety hazard and installing them where they didn’t exist before is an UPGRADE. Any recommendations made in a report about GFCI should take those two items into consideration and be worded to reflect that.
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I add this in the report:
Electrical outlet(s) in the garage was/were not GFCI protected.
Although all electrical outlets in the garage should be GFCI protected according to modern standards, it is common to find that certain outlets are not - for example, a refrigerator outlet, or outlet which powers a gas water heater, or outlet that recharges a golf-cart.
Please use discretion when determining which outlets should/should-not be GFCI protected. Any outlet used for tools, etc, which could come into contact with water or liquid, should be protected, to lessen chance of an electrical shock.
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I try to shy away from using the Words “needs to be” as we are not code “enforcement” inspectors. We can go beyond that… by using words like “Should” or “Consider for added safety”. Giving our clients added info as to why… my canned statement for single plex, dedicated outlets will let them know why they are sometimes (were) allowed for “appliances that are normally always plugged in” but can, “for added safety” be upgraded to be GFCI protected and even protected with a GFCI with an Alarm to alert them before their exotic giraffe meat in the freezer spoils… (added tip: don’t trip outside and or garage receptacles if a freezer or fridge is in the garage and or before can assure the seller’s internet is not on the circuit— you can thank me later)
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When were you in my garage??? 
Actually I have 2 that are on dedicated circuits. Each have a single freezer plugged into them. …
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Wow! Ty this is awesome!
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