receptacle missing?

[rwashington (Richard Washington, TREC#7238)]

It seems to me that this is considered a wall or is it not since it is spindles rather than a closed in half wall?

[lkage (Larry Kage, CMI)]

The columns missing a receptacle wouldn’t get a second look from me.

[mboyett (Michael Boyett, TREC #7290 (Ret) Boerne, TX)]

The 2006 IRC Commentary says:

E3801.2.2 Wall space. As used in this section, a wall space shall include the following:

1. Any space that is 2 feet (610 mm) or more in width, (including space measured around corners), and that is unbroken along the floor line by doorways, fireplaces, and similar openings.
2. The space occupied by fixed panels in exterior walls, excluding sliding panels.
3. The space created by fixed room dividers such as railings and freestanding bar-type counters.

An appliance or lamp, for example, could be placed in front of the fixed portion of a sliding door, which must be counted as wall space for determining the spacing requirements of receptacle outlets. An example of a fixed room divider is a railing installed along an open balcony or loft. Appliances could be placed by the homeowner along the railing, and a receptacle must be installed at a point no further than 6 feet from any point along the railing. A floor outlet may be necessary in this situation.

[Jim_Port]

If that is part of a habitable room and not a hallway it would need receptacles the same as a framed wall.

[bdoles2 (Brian K. Doles)]

They should install one of them new “wireless” receptacles. Just duct tape it to the side of one of them spindles.