Bonding metal rail near hot tub

[emsnyder3]

I’m installing a hot tub in a deck. There is metal (copper) railing within reach of the hot tub, mounted to the wood deck. Does it need to be bonded to the hot tub, which is bonded to the ground of the electrical service? The hot tub is supplied by a 50A GFCI breaker. Thanks!

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I’m installing a hot tub in a deck. There is metal (copper) railing within reach of the hot tub, mounted to the wood deck. Does it need to be bonded to the hot tub, which is bonded to the ground of the electrical service? The hot tub is supplied by a 50A GFCI breaker. Thanks!

Yes, all metal objects within 5' of the tub must be bonded. I had to bond a metal rail and a gutter downspout. I assume 2020 and 2023 hasn't changed on this issue.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

This is from the 2023

(D) Bonding.

The following parts shall be bonded together:

• (1)
  All metal fittings within or attached to the spa or hot tub structure
• (2)
  Metal parts of electrical equipment associated with the spa or hot tub water circulating system, including pump motors, unless part of a listed, labeled, and identified self-contained spa or hot tub
• (3)
  Metal raceway and metal piping that are within 1.5 m (5 ft) of the inside walls of the spa or hot tub and that are not separated from the spa or hot tub by a permanent barrier
• (4)
  All metal surfaces that are within 1.5 m (5 ft) of the inside walls of the spa or hot tub and that are not separated from the spa or hot tub area by a permanent barrier
  Exception:
  Small conductive surfaces not likely to become energized, such as air and water jets and drain fittings, where not connected to metallic piping, towel bars, mirror frames, and similar nonelectrical equipment, shall not be required to be bonded.
  
  
• (5)
  Non-current-carrying metal parts of electrical devices and controls that are not associated with the spas or hot tubs and that are located within 1.5 m (5 ft) of such units

 

[Steve16]

Do I need to bond the joist hangers?

 

[retirede]

Do I need to bond the joist hangers?

I would think that joist hangars would fall under the exception in (4). They are definitely “small conductive surfaces not likely to become energized.”