Florida Building Commission

Swimming Pool Electrical Safety Project

 

Phase II: Development

 

Note: Proposed code modifications and the fact sheet/training educational module as detailed in this document are for information and not for discussion.

 

Recommendations as approved by The Commission October 15, 2015

 

Grounding

The Electrical TAC and the Swimming Pool TAC voted unanimously to recommend that the Commission charge staff to work with the TAC chairs and in consultation with stakeholders to formulate a code amendment requiring that all electrical circuits feeding equipment that could potentially energize a pool have GFCI protection for new residential and commercial swimming pools (the goal is to fill in any gaps in the current Code).

 

Code amendments/Progress to date:

 

6th Edition (2017) FBC, Buildings

 

(E6452)

454.1.4.2.3 Underwater lighting. Underwater luminaires shall comply with Chapter 27 of the Florida Building Code, Building. Underwater lighting shall utilize transformers and low-voltage circuits with each underwater light being grounded. The maximum voltage for each light shall be 15 volts and the maximum incandescent lamp size shall be 300 watts. The location of the underwater lights luminaires shall be such that the underwater illumination is as uniform as possible. and shall not be less than 18 inches (457 mm) below the normal operating water level determined by the center-line of the skimmer or top lip of the gutter. All underwater lights which depend upon submersion for safe operation shall have protection from overheating when not submerged. Underwater lighting requirements can be waived when the overhead lighting provides at least 15 footcandles (150 lux) of illumination at the pool water surface and pool wet deck surface. Alternative lighting systems which use 15 volts or less, or use no electricity in the pool or on the pool deck, such as LED (light emitting diode) fiber-optic systems, may be utilized if the manufactures specifications provide for the equivalency in watt output.

 

 

(E6531)

454.1.4.1 Electrical equipment and wiring. Electrical equipment wiring and installation, including the bonding and grounding of pool components shall conform with Chapter 27 of the Florida Building Code, Building. Outlets supplying pool equipment and underwater luminaires connected to single-phase, 120 volt through 240 volt branch circuits, rated 15 or 20 amperes, whether by receptacle or by direct connection, shall be provided with ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel.

454.2.16 Electrical. Electrical wiring and equipment shall comply with Chapter 27 of the Florida Building Code, Building. Outlets supplying pool equipment and underwater luminaires connected to single-phase, 120 volt through 240 volt branch circuits, rated 15 or 20 amperes, whether by receptacle or by direct connection, shall be provided with ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel.

2nd comment period – TBD

454.1.4.1 Electrical equipment and wiring. Electrical equipment wiring and installation, including the bonding and grounding of pool components shall conform comply with Chapter 27 of the Florida Building Code, Building. Outlets supplying pool pump motors connected to single-phase 120-volt through 240-volt branch circuits, whether by receptacle or by direct connection, and outlets supplying other electrical equipment and underwater luminaires operating at voltages greater than the Low Voltage Contact Limit, connected to single-phase, 120 volt through 240 volt branch circuits, rated 15 or 20 amperes, whether by receptacle or by direct connection, shall be provided with ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel.

454.2.16 Electrical. Electrical equipment wiring and installation, including the bonding and grounding of pool components equipment shall comply with Chapter 27 of the Florida Building Code, Building. Outlets supplying pool pump motors connected to single-phase 120-volt through 240-volt branch circuits, whether by receptacle or by direct connection, and outlets supplying other electrical equipment and underwater luminaires operating at voltages greater than the Low Voltage Contact Limit, connected to single-phase, 120 volt through 240 volt branch circuits, rated 15 or 20 amperes, whether by receptacle or by direct connection, shall be provided with ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel.

(SW6531 – A1)

 

 

(E6530)

R4501.16 Electrical. Electrical wiring and equipment shall comply with the Florida Building Code. Outlets supplying pool equipment and underwater luminaires connected to single-phase, 120 volt through 240 volt branch circuits, rated 15 or 20 amperes, whether by receptacle or by direct connection, shall be provided with ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel.

2nd comment period – TBD

R4501.16 Electrical. Electrical equipment wiring and installation, including the bonding and grounding of pool components equipment shall comply with Chapter 27 of the Florida Building Code, Building. Outlets supplying  pool pump motors connected to single-phase 120-volt through 240-volt branch circuits, whether by receptacle or by direct connection, and outlets supplying other electrical equipment and underwater luminaires operating at voltages greater than the Low Voltage Contact Limit, connected to single-phase, 120 volt through 240 volt branch circuits, rated 15 or 20 amperes, whether by receptacle or by direct connection, shall be provided with ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel.

 

(SW6530-A1)

 

Recommendations as approved by The Commission October 15, 2015

 

Existing Swimming Pools

The Electrical TAC voted 6-2 in favor (75%), to recommend the Commission charge staff to work with the TAC chair and in consultation with stakeholders to formulate a code amendment requiring existing commercial and residential swimming pools to have GFCI protection for replacement pool pump motors, if not already in place; to provide GFCI protection for the replacement of 120 volt pool lights when they are replaced; and, as part of the close out inspection ensuring that the existing bonding system is complete and terminated properly.

Swimming Pool TAC 5-3 (63%)

 

Code amendments/Progress to date:

 

6th Edition (2017) FBC, Buildings

 

(CA6498-A3)

 

Move the proposed modification from "110.9" to "110.3 Required Inspections, Electrical" and add the following:

 

4. Existing Swimming Pools. To be made after all repairs or alterations are complete, all required electrical equipment, GFCI protection, and equipotential bonding are in place.

2nd comment period – TBD

Building upon the revision made by the TAC in April, add the underlined wording as follows:

Move the proposed modification from 110.9 to "110.3 Required Inspections, Electrical" and add the following:

4.  Existing Swimming Pools. To be made after all repairs or alterations are complete, all required electrical equipment, GFCI protection, and equipotential bonding are in place on said alterations or repairs.

 

(CA6498-A3)

 

 

(E6496)

Section 454.1.10.4 Swimming Pool - Electrical

 454.1.10.4.1 GFCI Protection. Ground-fault Circuit-interrupter shall be provided as follows:

 Where alteration work includes replacement of pool pump motors, a ground-fault circuit-interrupter shall be provided, if one is not already in place.

  1. Where alteration work includes replacement of 120-volt pool lights, a ground-fault circuit-interrupter shall be provided, if one is not already in place.

2nd comment period – TBD

Section 454.1.10.4 Swimming Pool - Electrical

 454.1.10.4.1 GFCI Protection. Ground-fault Circuit-interrupter shall be provided as follows:

 Where alteration work includes replacement of pool pump motorsconnected to 120-volt and 240-volt single phase branch circuits, a ground-fault circuit-interrupter shall be provided, if one is not already in place.

  1. Where alteration work includes replacement of 120-volt pool lights underwater luminaires, a ground-fault circuit-interrupter shall be provided, if one is not already in place, for all underwater luminaires operating at voltages greater than the Low Voltage Contact Limit.

(SW6496-A1)

6th Edition (2017) FBC, Existing Building

(6493)

Section 413 Add to read as follows:

 

 Section 413 Swimming Pool - Electrical

 

413.1GFCI Protection. Ground-fault Circuit-interrupter shall be provided as follows:

 

 1.    Where alteration work includes replacement of pool pump motors, a ground-fault circuit-interrupter shall be provided, if one is not already in place.

 

2.    Where alteration work includes replacement of 120-volt pool lights, a ground-fault circuit-interrupter shall be provided, if one is not already in place.

 

2nd comment period – TBD

Section 413 Add to read as follows:

 Section 413 Swimming Pool - Electrical

 413.1 GFCI Protection. Ground-fault Circuit-interrupter shall be provided as follows:

1.    Where alteration work includes replacement of pool pump motors connected to 120-volt and 240-volt single phase branch circuits, a ground-fault circuit-interrupter shall be provided, if one is not already in place.

2.    Where alteration work includes replacement of 120-volt pool lights underwater luminaires, a ground-fault circuit-interrupter shall be provided, if one is not already in place, for all underwater luminaires operating at voltages greater than the Low Voltage Contact Limit.

 

(SW6493-A1) 

(E6494)

Section 709 Add to read as follows:

 Section 709 Swimming Pool - Electrical

 709.1GFCI Protection. Ground-fault Circuit-interrupter shall be provided as follows:

 

  1. Where alteration work includes replacement of pool pump motors, a ground-fault circuit-interrupter shall be provided, if one is not already in place.
  2. Where alteration work includes replacement of 120-volt pool lights, a ground-fault circuit-interrupter shall be provided, if one is not already in place.

 2nd comment period – TBD

Section 709 Add to read as follows:

Section 709 Swimming Pool - Electrical

 709.1 GFCI Protection. Ground-fault Circuit-interrupter shall be provided as follows:

  1. Where alteration work includes replacement of pool pump motors connected to 120-volt and 240-volt single phase branch circuits, a ground-fault circuit-interrupter shall be provided, if one is not already in place.
  2. Where alteration work includes replacement of 120-volt pool lights underwater luminaires, a ground-fault circuit-interrupter shall be provided, if one is not already in place, for all underwater luminaires operating at voltages greater than the Low Voltage Contact Limit.

(SW6494-A1)

Recommendations as approved by The Commission October 15, 2015

 

Education

The Electrical TAC and the Swimming Pool TAC voted unanimously to recommend that the Commission support a comprehensive educational effort to ensure there is a consistent message to enhance pool electrical safety issues for existing and new pools by working with existing resources including educational providers and associations. The effort should include defining the problems, identifying solutions and communicating a consistent message to stakeholders (contractors, consumers, home inspectors, pool maintenance providers, etc.) through training courses, flyers, brochures, websites, etc. Key issues for education messaging include lighting, bonding, grounding, GFCI, maintenance of existing pools, and monitoring devices to detect stray currents in the pool water, etc.

 

Progress to date:

 

Swimming Pool Electrical Safety

 Factsheet and Educational Training Module Content Outline

 

As approved by the TACs – June 27, 2016

 

 

http://www.floridabuilding.org/fbc/Links_to_Code_Resources.html

 

 

Issues for discussion from the May 24, 2016 TACs meeting

1.      Review and develop recommendations regarding new technologies designed to prevent electrocution in swimming pools, including devices available to detect electrical power in swimming pools.

2.      Require an electrical inspection on the entire property, including testing of proper grounding and bonding, at time of sale of the house.

3.      Require ongoing electrical inspections of the property to meet insurance renewal requirements every X amount of years (working with the insurance industry to hash out the specifics).

4.      Request increased funding for combating unlicensed activity and increased funding for educational outreach similar to the educational materials currently being worked on (to ensure consumers are aware of the pitfalls and dangers of not hiring licensed contractors and not following code requirements).

5.      Encourage adoption of the 2017 NEC to ensure Florida has the latest/greatest electrical code requirements, skipping over the 2014 edition (the 2017 NEC has pool lift requirements that are not in the 2014 or 2011 NEC, for example).

6.      Request the Legislature to fund a study to determine the extent of pool electrical problems and how best to address the 1.3 million existing residential pools in Florida (this would provide actual data on the depth of the problem and how best to address in future code editions or glitch cycles).

7.       Suggest 1 hour of a ch. 489 pool contractor’s 14 hours of CE requirements include an electrical education class (which many are already taking voluntarily thru education courses provided by FSPA, IAEI and others).