Pool and spa bonding

[gfitzgerald]

For those of you doing pools and spas


Change Affecting Pools and Spas
All pool permit applications submitted on or after April 2, 2007 will be subjected to requirements found in the most current adopted edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the Florida Building Code.
The current edition of the NEC Article 680.26C, requires a 3-foot wide Equipotential Bonding Grid to connect all metallic structural components, underwater lighting, metal fittings, electrical equipment and other metal wiring and equipment. The bonding grid shall extend 3-feet horizontally from, and around the perimeter of swimming pools and spas bonded at all points.
Plan Requirements
In addition to other requirements for pool permits, the plan must show the extent of pool decking material as well as the material for the deck. Reference Inspection Process items 1-5 below.
Permit applicants must acknowledge on their plans, compliance with the 3 feet wide Equipotential Common Bonding Grid. In doing so, they must indicate the method of bonding as either; 1) The structural re-enforcing steel of the pool extended horizontally at the deck level, or 2) Bolted or welded metal pool walls located above grades, or 3) Other Alternate means which may include:
• A #8AWG solid copper field fabricated equipotential bonding grid system. Each section of grid must be clamped with listed devices and/or #8AWG solid copper jumper, or
• A 12x12x #8AWG solid copper welded grid (copper bonding mat). Each section of grid must be clamped with listed devices and/or #8AWG solid copper jumper.
• A 6x6x10WWF (Welded Wire Fabric) bonding grid set atop chairs. Each section of grid must be clamped with listed devices and/or #8AWG solid copper jumper.
This bonding grid is considered a function of the installation or construction of the pool. Therefore it is not acceptable for the permit applicant to simply indicate the deck will be done by others.
If the deck is indicated as done by others, the primary pool contractor must still provide the equipotential bonding grid to set the deck onto.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

What's the source of this reference Gary?

[gfitzgerald]

Goggle pool bonding, it originated from Florida. The reason I posted it is I just finished a pool remodel in Burbank Ca. and the city inspector called me on it. We installed a new spa and couping. We removed all the decking and installed artificial turf. The inspector said it would also apply to LA and above ground pools as well.

[Robert Meier]

In the 2008 NEC the perimeter surface requirement is in 680.26(B)(2). This requirement in a similar form has been part of the NEC since the 2005 code cycle. In the 2005 it was in 680.26(C) and has been moved to it's current location in the 2008. Here's the actual wording from the 2008:

680.26(B)(2) Perimeter Surfaces. The perimeter surface shall extend for 1 m (3 ft) horizontally beyond the inside walls of the pool and shall include unpaved surfaces as well as poured concrete and other types of paving. Bonding to perimeter surfaces shall be provided as specified in 680.26(B)(2)(a) or (2)(b) and shall be attached to the pool reinforcing steel or copper conductor grid at a minimum of four (4) points uniformly spaced around the perimeter of the pool. For nonconductive pool shells, bonding at four points shall not be required.
(a) Structural Reinforcing Steel. Structural reinforcing steel shall be bonded in accordance with 680.26(B)(1)(a).
(b) Alternate Means. Where structural reinforcing steel is not available or is encapsulated in a nonconductive compound, a copper conductor(s) shall be utilized where the following requirements are met:
(1) At least one minimum 8 AWG bare solid copper conductor shall be provided.
(2) The conductors shall follow the contour of the perimeter surface.
(3) Only listed splices shall be permitted.
(4) The required conductor shall be 450 to 600 mm (18 to 24 in.) from the inside walls of the pool.
(5) The required conductor shall be secured within or under the perimeter surface 100 mm to 150 mm (4 in. to 6 in.) below the subgrade

[James A. Levy]

I started to post about it here http://www.nachi.org/forum/f21/pool-...ruction-50484/

They used four driven rods around the pool and connected the 3' wire grid around the pool to that. Then bonded the pool to the grid.

[Robert Meier]

Nice thread. But it sounds like a waste of four ground rods.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by Robert Meier

Nice thread. But it sounds like a waste of four ground rods.

Agreed.

The reason I asked Gary, is because this is pretty much how it has been since the 2007 CEC, which was effective Jan 1 2008, but mirrors the 2005 NEC.

So it was the date that threw me. Now I see that this is a Florida-specific reference with regard to the application date.

[James A. Levy]

Originally Posted by Robert Meier

Nice thread. But it sounds like a waste of four ground rods.

Electrical inspector required them.

[gfitzgerald]

I have always bonded the decking around my pools to the re-bar this was the first in a long time with no decking. The area just outside the family room was stamped concrete so I bonded it to the re-bar no problem. I think it may be more of a safety issue with above ground pools as most are never inspected by the City. This is also a problem with spa's

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by jlevy1

Electrical inspector required them.

Any idea why? Where in the NEC does it say anything about ground rods for a pool?

[gfitzgerald]

I did not use ground rods and the inspector did not ask for them

[James A. Levy]

Originally Posted by Robert Meier

Any idea why? Where in the NEC does it say anything about ground rods for a pool?

I didn't ask, I am getting final inspections next week and I will be around for them. I'll ask.

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by jlevy1

I didn't ask, I am getting final inspections next week and I will be around for them. I'll ask.

Thanks, I'm curious to know why the inspector would require them since the NEC does not. As far as I know NJ has no state amendment that requires ground rods for pools.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

I'd chalk it up to the inspector not understanding the difference between bonding and grounding. . .