NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AFFAIRS
Division of Housing and
Community Development
RULE
NO.: RULE TITLE:
9B-3.0477 Electrical
Bonding of Pools.
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To adopt
an alternative means for electrical bonding of swimming pools than that
provided in the 2005 edition of the National Electrical Code.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF
ESTIMATED REGULATORY COST: (If one has
been
prepared) Any person who wishes to provide information
regarding the statement of estimated regulatory costs, or to provide a proposal
for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of
this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: s. 1, Chapter 2007-187, Laws of
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 553.72 FS.
553.73(2), 553.73(3), 553.73(7), 553.73(9) FS, s. 1, Chapter 2007-187, Laws of
Florida.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE
DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: August 21, 2007, 1:00 p.m., or as soon
thereafter as the matter comes before the Commission pursuant to its agenda.
PLACE: Embassy Suites
Pursuant to the provisions of
the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special
accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the
agency at least 7 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Mo Madani, Planning Manager, Department of
Community Affairs,
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED
REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Mo
Madani, Planning Manager, Department of Community Affairs,
THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED
RULE IS:
9B-3.0477 Electrical Bonding of Pools.
National Fire Protection Association
[NFPA] 70 - 05: National Electric Code, Article 680 (Swimming Pools, Fountains,
and Similar Installation), Section 680.26, Equipotential Bonding, as adopted
within Chapter 27 of the Florida Building Code, Building Volume; and to NFPA
70A - 05: National Electric Code, Article 680 (Swimming Pools, Fountains, and
Similar Installation), Section 680.26, Equipotential Bonding, adopted within
Chapter 33 of the
(1) Performance. The equipotential bonding required by this section
shall be installed to reduce voltage gradients in the pool area.
(2) Bonded Parts. The parts specified in subparagraphs (a) through (g)
hereof shall be bonded together using solid copper conductors, insulated
covered, or bare, not smaller than 8 AWG or with rigid metal conduit of brass
or other identified corrosion-resistant metal. Connections to bonded parts
shall be made in accordance with Section 250.8 of the National Electrical Code
as adopted within the
(a) Conductive Pool Shells. Bonding to conductive pool shells shall be provided as
specified in subparagraphs 1. or 2. hereof. Poured concrete, pneumatically
applied or sprayed concrete, and concrete block with painted or plastered
coating shall all be considered conductive materials due to water permeability
and porosity. Vinyl liners and fiberglass composite shells shall be considered
to be non-conductive materials.
1. Structural Reinforcing Steel.
Unencapsulated structural reinforcing steel shall be bonded together by steel
tie wires or the equivalent. Where structural reinforcing steel is encapsulated
in a nonconductive compound, a copper conductor grid shall be installed in
accordance with subparagraph 2.
2. Copper Conductor Grid. A copper
conductor grid shall be provided and shall comply with the following
conditions:
a.
Be constructed of minimum 8 AWG bare
solid copper conductors bonded to each other at all points of crossing.
b.
Conform to the contour of the pool and the pool deck.
c.
Be arranged in a 300 mm (12 in.) by 300
mm (12 in.) network of conductors in a uniformly spaced perpendicular grid
pattern with a tolerance of 100 mm (4 in.).
d. Be secured within or under the pool no more
than 150 mm (6 in.) from the outer contour of the pool shell.
(b) 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 subparagraph 1. or 2. hereof,
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 non-conductive pool shells, bonding at four points shall not be required.
1. Structural Reinforcing Steel. Structural reinforcing steel shall be bonded in
accordance with subparagraph (2)(a)1.
2. Alternate Means. Where structural reinforcing steel is not available or
is encapsulated in a nonconductive compound, copper conductor(s) shall be
utilized where the following conditions are met:
a. At least one minimum 8 AWG bare solid copper
conductor shall be provided.
b. The conductor(s) shall follow the contour of
the perimeter surface.
c. Only listed splices shall be permitted.
d. The required conductor shall be 450 to 600 mm
(18 to 24 in.) from the inside walls of the pool.
e. The required conductor shall be secured within
or under the perimeter surface 100 to 150 mm (4 to 6 in.) below the subgrade.
(c) Metallic Components. All metallic parts of the pool structure, including
reinforcing metal not addressed in subparagraph (2)(a)1., shall be bonded.
Where reinforcing steel is encapsulated with a nonconductive compound, the
reinforcing steel shall not be required to be bonded.
(d) Underwater Lighting. All metal forming shells and mounting brackets of
no-niche luminaires shall be bonded except that listed low-voltage lighting systems with nonmetallic forming shells
shall not require bonding.
(e) Metal Fittings. All metal fittings within or attached to the pool
structure shall be bonded. Isolated parts that are not over 100 mm (4 in.) in
any dimension and do not penetrate into the pool structure more than 25 mm (1
in.) shall not require bonding.
(f)
Electrical Equipment. Metal
parts of electrical equipment associated with the pool water circulating
system, including pump motors and metal parts of equipment associated with pool
covers, including electric motors, shall be bonded except that metal parts of listed equipment
incorporating an approved system of double insulation shall not be bonded.
1.
Double-Insulated Water Pump Motors. Where a double-insulated water-pump motor is installed
under the provisions of this rule, a solid 8 AWG copper conductor of sufficient
length to make a bonding connection to a replacement motor shall be extended
from the bonding grid to an accessible point in the vicinity of the pool pump
motor. Where there is no connection
between the swimming pool bonding grid and the equipment grounding system for
the premises, this bonding conductor shall be connected.
2. Pool Water Heaters. For pool water heaters rated at more than 50 amperes
and having specific instructions regarding bonding and grounding, only those
parts designated to be bonded shall be bonded and only those parts designated
to be grounded shall be grounded.
(g) Metal Wiring Methods and Equipment.
Metal-sheathed cables and
raceways, metal piping, and all fixed metal parts shall be bonded except:
1.
Those separated from the pool by a permanent barrier shall not be
required to be bonded.
2. Those greater than 1.5 m (5 ft)
horizontally of the inside walls of the pool shall not be required to be
bonded.
3. Those greater than 3.7 m (12 ft)
measured vertically above the maximum water level of the pool, or as measured
vertically above any observation stands, towers, or platforms, or any diving
structures shall not be required to be bonded.
(3) Pool Water. An intentional bond of
a minimum conductive surface area of 5806 square mm (9 square in ) shall be installed in contact
with the pool water. This bond shall be permitted to consist of parts that are
required to be bonded in (2).
Specific Authority s. 1, Chapter
2007-187, Laws of
NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING
PROPOSED RULE: Mo Madani, Planning
Manager, Department of Community Affairs,
NAME OF SUPERVISOR OR PERSON
WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Janice Browning, Director, Division of Housing
and Community Development.
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED
BY AGENCY HEAD: June 27, 2007
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE
DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: June 8,
2007