525.101 is not a 'requirement' which can be 'followed'.
No, but it's still a regulation, on its own, with a proper number, not a note/NB/by the way/etc. Therefore if you're not following it, you're departing on it, and that needs to go on the EIC.
Sorry, but I just don't understand you reasoning. I don't understand what you mean by 'following' (or 'not following') 525.101, since it is merely telling you
one approach which is regarded as satisfying 525.1 and 525.100.
You're missing the point, so I'll clarify. I'm talking about departures from numbered regulations.
I realise that, and if its a regulation which 'instructs' one to do something, then failing to comply with that 'instruction' is clearly a departure. If it's merely a statement about one way of complying with some other regulations, then I can see no way that one can 'depart' from it - since it's 'information', not an 'instruction'.
We agreed to disagree on following best practice and possible subsequent raised eyebrows in the future and sure, if the equipment will work down to 120V (a lot can these days) then I'm not saying you can't do that if you feel you will are justified in doing so. If I was installing from scratch, as in RFs case, then I wouldn't be, but that isn't to say I might not come across an instance where it would be prudent to do so, and in that case I'd write the departure down.
The reality obviously is that except for (known) lighting loads and other (known) 'fixed' loads, one is essentially stuck with the Appendix 4 VD limits. In particular, one has no other choice with sockets circuits, since one hasn't a clue what equipment/appliances might be plugged in, and what voltage requirements/sensitivities they might have. Indeed, the equipment might be so sensitive to under-voltage that sticking within Appendix 4 VD limits might not be enough to ensure its 'safe functioning' - but that's a separate can of worms (since one would then have a situation which, per your thinking, 'complied' with 525.101, but
not with 525.100)!
We obviously know nothing about the nature of the loads in RF's case, so can't comment on that. However, to take a common example, I suspect that you would struggle to find any sensible reason for saying that the 'safe functioning' of a 'simple shower' (no electronics) would be in any way 'impaired' by the voltage supplying it being low, even 'very low'. In other words, I think one could say that a dedicated shower circuit supplying a such a shower (no electronics) complied with 525.100 with almost any degree of VD, certainly a VD which was only moderately above 5%. The same with fixed wired immersions or heaters (without fans) etc. on dedicated circuits. Do you disagree?
Kind Regards, John