Chapter 5: Facilities, Supplies, Equipment, and Environmental Health
5.2 Quality of the Outdoor and Indoor Environment
5.2.4 Electrical Fixtures and Outlets
5.2.4.3: Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter for Outlets Near Water
All electrical outlets located within six feet of a sink or other water source must have a ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI), which should be tested at least once every three months using the test button located on the device.
RATIONALE
This provision eliminates shock hazards. GFCIs provide protection from electrocution when an electric outlet or electric product may come into contact with water (1).COMMENTS
Electrical receptacles of the type often found in bathrooms of new homes have a GFCI built into the receptacle. The GFCI does not necessarily have to be near the sink. An electrical receptacle can be protected by a special type of circuit breaker (which has a built-in GFCI) in the electrical panel (1).TYPE OF FACILITY
Center, Early Head Start, Head Start, Large Family Child Care Home, Small Family Child Care HomeRELATED STANDARDS
5.2.4.2 Safety Covers and Shock Protection Devices for Electrical OutletsREFERENCES
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). 2011. NFPA 70: National electrical code. 2011 ed. Quincy, MA: NFPA.