Are GFCI's Required in Showers and Bathtubs?

[electron]

Shower Luminaires (Fixtures). If a luminaire (lighting fixture) is provided over a bathtub or in a shower stall, it shall be of the enclosed and gasketed type and listed for the type of installation, and it shall be ground-fault circuit-interrupter protected.

The switch for shower luminaires (lighting fixtures) and exhaust fans, located over a tub or in a shower stall, shall be located outside the tub or shower space.

Do you think that this rule should be added to 210.8 and in Article 410?

Right now this rule is found in Articles 550, 551, and 552.

I think it is a great rule, because it will provide additional safety for owners and their families.

 

[charlie]

Re: Are GFCI's Required in Showers and Bathtubs?

It sounds to me like you have a proposal for the 2008 Code cycle. Write it up with the statistics of people getting shocked, the danger of not providing GFCI protection, the danger of the shells of the luminaires to the touch with the proper grounding, etc. and submit it in the fall of 2005.

Without the above substantiation, I doubt it will get much notice.

 

[wmeek]

Re: Are GFCI's Required in Showers and Bathtubs?

I was wandering if these are located in 550,551,552, maybe because of heights in these facilities, requiring GFI protection.