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tyler · Joined: 12 Jul 2003 Posts: 1 Location: anchorage, AK

Hello. I'm not an electrician and I’m not trying to be. I actually am in need of advice pertaining to codes. I’m in Anchorage, AK and am putting together a drive thru coffee shop. We hired a coffee company that has supplied many people with everything necessary to get a drive thru or cart style espresso stand up and running. We didn’t want a fully complete building, most of the finishing we could do ourselves and save quite a bit. So we got a building on a trailer I’ve just been doing things like counters sinks plumbing etc… so the electrical situation is this: we hired coffee co, they hired builder and electrician, the electrician did the initial wiring then was to return to put in all the outlets and light switches, instead he sub-contracted this to someone else. Now at this point the building is in our possession and I have already installed all the counter tops. And there in lies the problem, or so I’ve been told. My wet counter had to stand higher than estimated to accommodate a 125-gallon water tank, plumbing, and the sink wells. This put the counter surface 2” below 4 outlets and one light switch. The light switch is about a foot left of the sink well, there are two outlets directly behind the sink then 2 more at the end of the counter. My dilemma is in making this pass inspection, were being told that there needs to be an outlet every 2 feet and that outlets need to be 4 inches off the counter surface. It’s not that I don’t believe him but that he’ll say “uhhh I think uhhh that wont work. I think those need to be higher like 4 inches ….. I think.” Oh and “ uhh I think one of those outlets behind the sink is the GFI (outlet with a reset switch) uhh… but im not sure witch one cause I didn’t wire this place …. We’ll find out when we hook up power.” The elusive original electrician is of no help, so as you can imagine this is getting quite frustrating. So I want to hire someone to come out and knock this project out but I don’t know what is possible. And I want to know what some possible options are.
The wiring on the switches comes from above. The outlet wiring comes from below.
Is it possible to relocate (move up) the outlets & switch?
Do I have to have outlets every two feet?
What are the distance regs from water sources?
What are the distance regs from counter surfaces?
I could send some pictures if it would help.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and your welcome to any advice I could offer on locksmithing & security. That’s what I do.

Thanks much,
Ty

thescruff · Moderator Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 4658 Location: Bath

As a plumber we come across this problem all the time, what we and you should do is sit down and write out a risk assessment, health and safety is common sence at the end of the day.

Is it possible to relocate (move up) the outlets & switch?

Yes.

Do I have to have outlets every two feet?

You can have as many as you like.

What are the distance regs from water sources?

1m from any tap, May be slightly less.

What are the distance regs from counter surfaces?

I thought it was 150mm but could be 200mm.

scruff. Cool

AlanE · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2003 11:58 am Post subject:

Problem here is that of differing country codes and regulations.

Here in England socket outlets can be place at whatever distance apart we choose but in US there is a code requirement that they are not more than a specified distance apart.

The best suggestion is that you contact a local registered electrician who is fully conversant with your local codes and requirements.

They may well charge for this service but, in the long run, it could be money well spent.

Alan