Page 790 - 2018_IRC

CHAPTER 42

SWIMMING POOLS

ICC user note:
About this chapter: Chapter 42 addresses all aspects of wiring, fixtures, motors and electrical accessories for swimming pools, wading
pools, hot tubs, spas and hydromassage bathtubs.
This chapter focuses on protection of occupants from electrical shock. The dangers of using electricity around water, wet surfaces, grounded
surfaces and plumbing are well known, and this chapter is intended to minimize or eliminate those hazards.

SECTION E4201 MAXIMUM WATER LEVEL. The highest level that water
GENERAL can reach before it spills out.
E4201.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to NO-NICHE LUMINAIRE. A luminaire intended for instal-
the construction and installation of electric wiring and equip- lation above or below the water without a niche.
ment associated with all swimming pools, wading pools, dec- PACKAGED SPA OR HOT TUB EQUIPMENT ASSEM-
orative pools, fountains, hot tubs and spas, and hydromassage BLY. A factory-fabricated unit consisting of water-circulat-
bathtubs, whether permanently installed or storable, and shall ing, heating and control equipment mounted on a common
apply to metallic auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, filters base, intended to operate a spa or hot tub. Equipment may
and similar equipment. Sections E4202 through E4206 pro- include pumps, air blowers, heaters, luminaires, controls and
vide general rules for permanent pools, spas and hot tubs. sanitizer generators.
Section E4207 provides specific rules for storable pools and
storable/portable spas and hot tubs. Section E4208 provides PERMANENTLY INSTALLED SWIMMING, WAD-
specific rules for spas and hot tubs. Section E4209 provides ING, IMMERSION AND THERAPEUTIC POOLS.
specific rules for hydromassage bathtubs. (680.1) Those that are constructed in the ground or partially in the
ground, and all others capable of holding water with a depth
E4201.2 Definitions. (680.2)
greater than 42 inches (1067 mm), and all pools installed
CORD-AND-PLUG-CONNECTED LIGHTING ASSEM- inside of a building, regardless of water depth, whether or not
BLY. A lighting assembly consisting of a cord-and-plug-con- served by electrical circuits of any nature.
nected transformer and a luminaire intended for installation POOL. Manufactured or field-constructed equipment
in the wall of a spa, hot tub, or storable pool.
designed to contain water on a permanent or semipermanent
DRY-NICHE LUMINAIRE. A luminaire intended for basis and used for swimming, wading, immersion, or thera-
installation in the floor or wall of a pool, spa or fountain in a peutic purposes.
niche that is sealed against the entry of water.
POOL COVER, ELECTRICALLY OPERATED. Motor-
FORMING SHELL. A structure designed to support a wet- driven equipment designed to cover and uncover the water
niche luminaire assembly and intended for mounting in a surface of a pool by means of a flexible sheet or rigid frame.
pool or fountain structure.
SELF-CONTAINED SPA OR HOT TUB. A factory-fabri-
FOUNTAIN. Fountains, ornamental pools, display pools, cated unit consisting of a spa or hot tub vessel with all water-
and reflection pools. The definition does not include drinking circulating, heating and control equipment integral to the
fountains. unit. Equipment may include pumps, air blowers, heaters,
HYDROMASSAGE BATHTUB. A permanently installed luminaires, controls and sanitizer generators.
bathtub equipped with a recirculating piping system, pump, SPA OR HOT TUB. A hydromassage pool, or tub for recre-
and associated equipment. It is designed so it can accept, cir- ational or therapeutic use, not located in health care facilities,
culate and discharge water upon each use. designed for immersion of users, and usually having a filter,
LOW-VOLTAGE CONTACT LIMIT. A voltage not heater, and motor-driven blower. They are installed indoors
exceeding the following values: or outdoors, on the ground or supporting structure, or in the
ground or supporting structure. Generally, a spa or hot tub is
1. 15 volts (RMS) for sinusoidal ac. not designed or intended to have its contents drained or dis-
2. 21.2 volts peak for nonsinusoidal ac. charged after each use.
3. 30 volts for continuous dc. STORABLE SWIMMING, WADING OR IMMERSION
4. 12.4 volts peak for dc that is interrupted at a rate of 10 POOLS; OR STORABLE/PORTABLE SPAS AND HOT
to 200 Hz. TUBS. Swimming, wading, or immersion pools that are
intended to be stored when not in use, that are constructed on
or above the ground and that are capable of holding water

2018 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE ® 765
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