The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently released a proposed Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) to the 2020, 2023, and 2026 editions of the National Electrical Code (NEC). The TIA was submitted by Thomas Deary, Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), and has a comment closing date of September 9, 2026. 

TIA Log No.: 1924

Reference: 210.8(F) Exception No. 2

This TIA proposes an extension to the expiration of Sec. 210.8(F), Exception No. 2 in the 2020, 2023, and 2026 NEC. In the 2026 edition of the Code, the exception states, “GFCI protection shall not be required for listed HVAC equipment. This exception shall expire September 1, 2026.” The TIA wishes to extend the expiration of the exception to September 1, 2028.

The substantiation of the proposal reads as follows: “Despite ongoing efforts from the HVAC manufacturers and GFCI manufacturers, more time is needed to develop products compatible to the GFCI requirements listed in NFPA 70, Section 210.8(F).”

As stated in the TIA, HVAC manufactures initially requested an extension until September 1^st, 2029. The new two-year extension marks a compromise that will “allow the HVAC industry to finish its work to ensure that the public is not adversely affected by these changes.”

In the “Emergency Nature” section of the proposal, the TIA argues that if Exception No. 2 is allowed to expire on September 1, 2026, residents will encounter nuisance tripping issues. The request for additional time aims to give the industry time to resolve these compatibility issues.

For more details, read TIA 1924.