Interpretation #: CEB-2021-36-2009 IEC-300.15

Building or Fire Safety Law Interpreted

675 IAC 17-1.8 2009 Indiana Electrical Code, Article 300.15 Boxes, Conduit Bodies, or Fittings – Where Required. A box shall be installed at each outlet and switch point for concealed knob-and-tube wiring.

Fittings and connectors shall be used only with the specific wiring methods for which they are designed and listed.

Where the wiring method is conduit, tubing, Type AC cable, Type MC cable, Type MI cable, nonmetallic-sheathed cable, or other cables, a box or conduit body shall be installed at each conductor splice point, outlet point, switch point, junction point, termination point, or pull point, unless otherwise permitted in 300.15(A) through 300.15(M).

[Subsections 3001.5(A) through 300.15(M) omitted for lack of relevance to request.]

Issue

Whether junction boxes are required under Article 300.15 of the 2009 Indiana Electrical Code (IEC) in locations at which recessed light fixtures are, or may be, planned for future installation.

Interpretation of the State Building Commissioner

Article 300.15 of the 2009 IEC does not require junction boxes be installed in locations at which recessed light fixtures are, or may be, planned for future installation.

Rationale

The article in question provides all locations in which junction boxes are required to be installed, based on wiring type and specific individual conditions. There is no requirement among them for junction boxes where light fixtures may be installed at a future date. Generally speaking, unless the code specifically says otherwise, it does not provide for extrapolation of requirements for anticipated future work. It is for the future installer to ensure code compliance with that work at the time of its installation.