Outdoor Kitchens Have Their Own Electrical Safety Issues
Homeowners don’t often think about electrical safety for outdoor kitchens, but it’s important that they do. Outdoor kitchens have grown in popularity in recent years because people want to be outside more. They want to entertain family and friends with barbeques and special celebrations. Outdoor kitchens have their own design challenges that require careful consideration. Electrical Safety for outdoor kitchens is easily the most important one of all.
In this month’s blog, Danny’s Electrical Service Inc. will take a closer look at electrical safety for outdoor kitchens. We want our clients to be safe and healthy. That’s why we recommend hiring a professional electrical contractor like us to install the electric in outdoor kitchens.
Get a Permit for Construction and Electric
Before you or your contractor begins building your outdoor kitchen, you should check with your city about a building permit. Make sure you know what permits the city requires. Your contractor would know more about this process. Permits don’t just apply to the outdoor kitchen construction, but all of the electric and plumbing as well.
Many cities in the New River Valley may also require an electrical safety inspection to ensure an addition. That includes a new outdoor kitchen, so you build it according to safety codes. If you fail to obtain the required building permit or inspection, could result in dire consequences in the future. Those consequences could include safety issues. Not getting a permit could also result in substantial fines from code enforcement.
Make Sure You Know What Your Electrical Needs Are
Now that you have the permit, what is going to be a part of the outdoor kitchen? You’ll have to determine what your electric needs are. If you’re planning on having outdoor appliances, you’ll have to know how many will be in the kitchen. Will you need to have additional outlets, outdoor lighting, ceiling fan, or something else?
Danny’s Can Determine What Direction the Electric Comes From
When Danny’s Electrical Service installs power to the outdoor kitchen, we will tap into your existing electric system. There is a vast array of ways our electrician can do this. With that in mind, we will determine what direction we follow to get electricity from your home to your kitchen. We’ll map a route from your circuit breaker panel to your outdoor kitchen.
You Might Have to Move the Outdoor Kitchen Site Because of Electric
You may have to face a decision to move the site of your outdoor kitchen because of electrical access. That’s one of the reasons why you should depend on an experienced electrician like ours. If you would do the electrical work, safety issues could arise. Danny’s Electrical Service’s experienced electrician can give you the pros and cons of your planned location. We can offer advice, suggestions, and possibly even a better option.
An Electrician Must Install a GFCI Outlet in the Outdoor Kitchen
A GFCI outlet, or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter outlets, protects against electric shock risk. We always install GFCI outlets in areas with water nearby. That includes outdoor kitchens, indoor kitchens, bathrooms, and garages. You need GFCI outlets in outdoor kitchens, because they monitor the amount of electricity flowing within a specific circuit.
When GFCI outlets detect an imbalance, they shut down as a precaution, preventing fire or the risk of electric shock.
Call Danny’s Electrical Service, Inc., at (540) 998-5750, or follow us on Facebook for updates. Danny’s Electrical Service, Inc., can help you with electrical safety for outdoor kitchens.