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210.71 Meeting Rooms

Revision

Change Summary

  • Receptacle outlet requirements were added for non-dwelling unit meeting rooms.
NEC® Text

210.71 Meeting Rooms.

(A) General. Each meeting room of not more than 93 m2 (1000 ft2) in other than dwelling units shall have outlets for nonlocking-type, 125-volt, 15- or 20-ampere receptacles. The outlets shall be installed in accordance with 210.71(B). Where a room or space is provided with movable partition(s), each room size shall be determined with the partition in the position that results in the smallest size meeting room.

Informational Note No. 1: For the purposes of this section, meeting rooms are typically designed or intended for the gathering of seated occupants for such purposes as conferences, deliberations, or similar purposes, where portable electronic equipment such as computers, projectors, or similar equipment is likely to be used.

Informational Note No. 2: Examples of rooms that are not meeting rooms include auditoriums, schoolrooms, and coffee shops.

(B) Receptacle Outlets Required. The total number of receptacle outlets, including floor outlets and receptacle outlets in fixed furniture, shall not be less than as determined in (1) and (2). These receptacle outlets shall be permitted to be located as determined by the designer or building owner.

(1) Receptacle Outlets in Fixed Walls. Receptacle outlets shall be installed in accordance with 210.52(A)(1) through (A)(4).

(2) Floor Receptacle Outlets. A meeting room that is at least 3.7 m (12 ft) wide and that has a floor area of at least 20 m2 (215 ft2) shall have at least one receptacle outlet located in the floor at a distance not less than 1.8 m (6 ft) from any fixed wall for each 20 m2 (215 ft2) or major portion of floor space.

Informational Note No. 1:See Section 314.27(B) for floor boxes used for receptacles located in the floor.

Informational Note No. 2:See Article 518 for assembly occupancies designed for 100 or more persons.

Copyright© 2016 National Fire Protection Association
(See NEC for complete text)

Expert Analysis

For certain sized non-dwelling unit meeting rooms, receptacle outlets will be required to be provided and spaced apart similar to a dwelling unit and the wall spacing rules of 210.52(A)(1) through (A)(4) [see complete Code text at 210.71 for specifics]. Meeting rooms with a floor area greater than 93 m2 (1000 ft2) will not be subject to these rules, unless they can be partitioned into smaller rooms meeting that threshold.

In some cases, floor receptacles will be required to be installed to meet the needs of the present and future meeting room occupants. A meeting room that is at least 3.7 m (12 ft) wide and has a floor area of 20 m2 (215 ft2) must be provided with one floor receptacle outlet located not less than 1.8 m (6 ft) from any fixed wall for each 20 m2 (215 ft2) or major portion of floor space. These required floor receptacle outlet(s), located away from fixed walls, will minimize the need for extension cords and multi-outlet devices to facilitate the use of equipment (such as a projector) in the middle of the meeting room. Without this new requirement, there was previously no Code requirement to provide receptacle outlets in meeting rooms of commercial or non-dwelling occupancies.

It should be noted that in a meeting room or space provided with movable partition(s), each room size will be determined by the partition in the position that results in the “smallest size meeting room.” If a meeting area were equipped with a movable partition and that partition (when opened or in place) would divide the space into two equal spaces, this would result in two separate meeting rooms. If each side of these two spaces is each at least 3.7 m (12 ft) wide and have a floor area of at least 20 m2 (215 ft2), this would require at least one floor-receptacle outlet located on both sides of this partition.

For low profile, in-floor receptacle installations, Leviton Floor Boxes are the perfect fit. Available in both single and 2-gang, 15- and 20-Amp and quick port configurations. These Commercial Grade devices are suitable for wood frame construction with carpet and wood finished flooring. Common applications include a variety of uses from hotel meeting rooms, home office workstations to high end stages and entertainment venues.

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