# Outlets above baseboard heaters **URL:** \ **Category:** Public Archive\ **Created:** [July 8, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/outlets-above-baseboard-heaters/176884 "2004-07-08T00:00:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/outlets-above-baseboard-heaters/176884/1 "2004-07-08T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: kmcmahon** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * I know that electrical outlets are not supposed to be located above an electric baseboard heater, but how about a hydronic baseboard heater? Found one yesterday with baseboard heaters with outlets above all over the home. One cheapo white cord even was browned by the heat. Not sure what to write up here. What is the melting point of plastic? Found some NM cable in the basement melted by having contact with hot water pipes. * * * -- [Wisconsin Home Inspection, ABC Home Inspection LLC](http://certified-inspector.com) [Search the directory for a Wisconsin Home Inspector](http://wisconsin-home-inspectors.com) ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/outlets-above-baseboard-heaters/176884/2 "2004-07-08T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: rmoore** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * Kevin… even if it doesn't get hot enough to melt the cord, the heat is still degrading the conductors capacity to safely carry the rated ampacity. The heat from the "radiator", combined with a load, could be enough to melt the plastic. So...I think you still need to call it as a hazard. * * * -- Richard Moore Rest Assured Inspection Services Seattle, WA [www.rainspect.com](http://www.rainspect.com) ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/outlets-above-baseboard-heaters/176884/3 "2004-07-08T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: Blaine Wiley** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * I have always written up receptacles above baseboard heaters of any type because of the heat. I didn’t know there was another reason. * * * ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/outlets-above-baseboard-heaters/176884/4 "2004-07-09T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: James D Mosier** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * My parents added on their house in 1979. The new family room is 22ft long with hydronic baseboard heat spanning the middle 16 feet. How would you possibly not have receptacles above the heater and still keep them within the 12ft max distance between receptacles? * * * – Jim Mosier ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/outlets-above-baseboard-heaters/176884/5 "2004-07-09T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: Guest** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * While it may not be ideal, it’s allowed here and done all the time. * * * ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/outlets-above-baseboard-heaters/176884/6 "2004-07-09T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: jfarsetta** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * It is allowed… * * * – Joe Farsetta Illigitimi Non Carborundum "Dont let the bastards grind you down..." ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/outlets-above-baseboard-heaters/176884/7 "2004-07-09T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: kmcmahon** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * | **jfarsetta wrote:** | | It is allowed... | Well, even if it's allowed I had to make them aware of a potential safety concern simply from the fact that the cord above was burnt where it contacted the heater. I just noted it in every location that had a baseboard heater below an outlet. There's no other way around that from what I saw. * * * -- [Wisconsin Home Inspection, ABC Home Inspection LLC](http://certified-inspector.com) [Search the directory for a Wisconsin Home Inspector](http://wisconsin-home-inspectors.com) ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/outlets-above-baseboard-heaters/176884/8 "2004-07-09T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: jfarsetta** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * What type of heater. My answer was in the context of hydronic baseboard, not electric, where a heating element can be touched and cause a fire. * * * – Joe Farsetta Illigitimi Non Carborundum "Dont let the bastards grind you down..." ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/outlets-above-baseboard-heaters/176884/9 "2004-07-09T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: kmcmahon** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * hydronic… * * * – [Wisconsin Home Inspection, ABC Home Inspection LLC](http://certified-inspector.com) [Search the directory for a Wisconsin Home Inspector](http://wisconsin-home-inspectors.com)