Does a laundry room require AFCI?

Yes, modern editions of the National Electrical Code (NEC) explicitly require Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) protection for all 120-volt, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets and equipment located in residential laundry rooms. Because laundry areas combine high-vibration motorized appliances like washing machines and dryers with potential moisture exposure, they represent environments where electrical cords and connections can degrade over time, increasing the risk of arcing faults and fires. You can troubleshoot electrical code compliance easily by checking your service panel configuration. You can verify that your setup is correct when confirming that laundry room branch circuits are protected by certified AFCI or dual-function AFCI/GFCI breakers guarantees full code compliance and enhanced home fire safety.