Outdoor hot tub

[nizak]

Need some help.

Is Equipotential bonding required if a self contained hot tub is installed outdoors?

A concrete pad will be poured to sit the unit on. Does the pad need to treated in the same fashion that a concrete apron around a pool would be?

Thanks

 

[Dennis Alwon]

This should answer your question. In general it is not needed however it may if it doesn't meet the requirements below

680.26(b)

Equipotential bonding of perimeter surfaces in accordance
with 680.26(B)(2) shall not be required to be provided for spas
and hot tubs where all of the following conditions apply:


(1) The spa or hot tub shall be listed, labeled, and identified
as a self-contained spa for aboveground use.


(2) The spa or hot tub shall not be identified as suitable only
for indoor use.


(3) The installation shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions and shall be located on or above
grade.


(4) The top rim of the spa or hot tub shall be at least 710 mm
(28 in.) above all perimeter surfaces that are within
760 mm (30 in.), measured horizontally from the spa or
hot tub. The height of nonconductive external steps for
entry to or exit from the self-contained spa shall not be
used to reduce or increase this rim height measurement.

 

[FionaZuppa]

Is the pad just big enough for the spa footprint, or does the pad also serve as the decking?

When it's not required as noted I still put a spiral of #8 copper under the pad, push a 10ft gnd rod down at the edge of pad, clamp the spiral to the rod with bronze clamp, and then extend that copper to spa bonding lug or electrical panel gnd bar or case (if possible). I typically make the spiral with about 12" spacing, from center to about the edge of the pad.