Questions regarding GFCI Outlets

[Mediocre Jones]

Hi all. I recently turned in an FHA appraisal that was 'subject to' replacing the outlets in the kitchen by the sink with GFCI outlets. It is my understanding that the FHA requirement is that GFCI outlets are required if within 6 ft of water. There are three outlets total on the wall behind the sink. The two closest to the sink are regular plugs, and the one further down the wall has a GFCI outlet. I have since learned that it is possible to protect multiple outlets on a single breaker with one GFCI outlet provided it is the first one in the line hooked to the box. My first question is, is that true? My second question is, as a layman, am I supposed to know that, and if I am, how can I identify it? My guess is that we, as appraisers, are not expected to have that expert knowledge of electricity, and that I should have made my report 'subject to' the hypothetical condition that no repairs need to made per the opinion of an expert.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

How old is the house? If over 20 years, it prolly isn't covering all the plugs...but that is a guess. I guess you could stick your keys into one and see if the breakers work or you turn into a human electric flashlight... (I hope you know I am joking) perhaps the more generic answer is that you could test it with a voltage tester and kick the GF test button and then see if the other plugs are now dead too.

I don't think you need a hypothetical

 

[Elliott]

OP said, It is my understanding that the FHA requirement is that GFCI outlets are required if within 6 ft of water.

Can you cite the reference in 4000.1 for new or existing? I can't find it. I'm sure its code for a new house.

 

[David S. Roberson]

Southwire Analog 120-Volt GFCI Receptacle Tester
About $8 at Lowes.

 

[andrew81]

it is not a requirement, but then some appraisers will condition a report on anything even the lack of a shower curtian citing a health and safety issue, so who knows what they are thinking

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

Get the plug in tester. Shower curtain? Again? Lol.

 

[Tom Woolford]

Many time ALL the outlets are wired in series to the GFCI. Note the acronym includes CIRCUT not outlet. Trip the GFCI and test the other outlets in the kitchen .

 

[Ariba]

Shower curtain? Lol.

 

[Mediocre Jones]

Thanks for the replies. It is a remodeled kitchen. I also could not locate a statement in the FHA Handbook. But I did find that it is an NEC regulation. Article 210.8(a) states that all receptacles serving countertop areas and any receptacle within six feet of the sink requires gfci protection.
I am certainly not ever going into any house and intentionally short out a plug as a test. That seems like something that could potentially get you into a worse bind than being called out for misinterpreting a building code or it's source.
So now I guess I will submit an amended report correcting myself about it being an FHA requirement, but still leaving it subject to changing the outlets or confirmation that all three plugs are protected from the one per an electrician.
Again, I thank you all. These forums are an awesome source for new guys like me, and your prompt responses are truly appreciated.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

ntentionally short out a plug as a test

The button in the middle of the GFC can be pushed to test and these testers are simple plug in devices that light up and tell you if it is live, and if the polarity is correct.