Light/fan/heater within 3 feet of tub

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I know manufacturers like to cover their tails by requiring GFCI protection but I thought the NEC only required it if it is located in the ceiling directly above (or within the footprint of) the tub. Am I correct ?
 
goldstar said:
I know manufacturers like to cover their tails by requiring GFCI protection but I thought the NEC only required it if it is located in the ceiling directly above (or within the footprint of) the tub. Am I correct ?
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I may be eating crow here shortly but I'm accustomed to the taste :D
I can't find a Code Section that would require it to be GFCI protected and as far as the 3ft away, the units in use in this area have manufacturing instructions requiring GFCI in damp locations which I would not think encompasses an area 3ft from the tub/shower.
 
goldstar said:
I know manufacturers like to cover their tails by requiring GFCI protection but I thought the NEC only required it if it is located in the ceiling directly above (or within the footprint of) the tub. Am I correct ?
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NEC doesn't say a thing about this. Only thing in 210.8 is going to involve receptacle outlets, dishwashers or boat hoists.
 
goldstar said:
I know manufacturers like to cover their tails by requiring GFCI protection but I thought the NEC only required it if it is located in the ceiling directly above (or within the footprint of) the tub. Am I correct ?
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kwired said:
NEC doesn't say a thing about this.
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I agree, only possible requirement would be from the manufacturer's instructions or local code amendent.
 
infinity said:
I agree, only possible requirement would be from the manufacturer's instructions or local code amendent.
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For some reason I recall a drawing in my Elec class showing a 3 feet clearance from the edge of a tub for a ceiling fan or light ? And if it was higher than 8 feet, it didn't apply. I'm talking 20 years ago. Maybe that was for a hanging light? ?? Thank you
 
Stevenfyeager said:
For some reason I recall a drawing in my Elec class showing a 3 feet clearance from the edge of a tub for a ceiling fan or light ? And if it was higher than 8 feet, it didn't apply. I'm talking 20 years ago. Maybe that was for a hanging light? ?? Thank you
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It was and still is - see 410.10(D). Note the restrictions only apply to "cord connected luminaires, chain-, cable-, or cord-suspended luminaires, lighting track, pendants, or ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans". Other luminaire types not mentioned are permitted within the described zone.

They may still need to be either wet or damp location rated however.
 
I can't help but think that dementia is setting in for me. Lately I seem to clearly remember things that I learned in my CEU classes that somehow aren't actually true. :rant: I distinctly remember an instructor explaining that an exhaust fan located on a ceiling that falls within the foot print of the tub must be GFCI protected. I believe that those of you who have corrected me are, in fact, correct in that it is a manufacturer's suggestion and not an NEC requirement. However, I can't begin to tell you how many service calls I've been on here in NJ where the exact scenario I've described has been the case. I've even found a GFCI receptacle in an attic ahead of the exhaust fan. Could it possibly be a NJ thing ? :? I've had inspectors tell me on a rough that if I install the fan in the tub area I would have to GFCI protect it.
 
goldstar said:
I can't help but think that dementia is setting in for me. Lately I seem to clearly remember things that I learned in my CEU classes that somehow aren't actually true. :rant: I distinctly remember an instructor explaining that an exhaust fan located on a ceiling that falls within the foot print of the tub must be GFCI protected. I believe that those of you who have corrected me are, in fact, correct in that it is a manufacturer's suggestion and not an NEC requirement. However, I can't begin to tell you how many service calls I've been on here in NJ where the exact scenario I've described has been the case. I've even found a GFCI receptacle in an attic ahead of the exhaust fan. Could it possibly be a NJ thing ? :? I've had inspectors tell me on a rough that if I install the fan in the tub area I would have to GFCI protect it.
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Pretty much all the well known units out there have the GFCI instructions, so if anything some inspectors maybe will want you to prove what you have does not have such instructions before they will allow without GFCI.
 
goldstar said:
I know manufacturers like to cover their tails by requiring GFCI protection but I thought the NEC only required it if it is located in the ceiling directly above (or within the footprint of) the tub. Am I correct ?
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I'd like to correct this statement I made (somewhat anyway). It's been bothering me for a while so I did some research on the Nutone website. Several people posted questions regarding this issue and Nutone's patented answer is
"Thank you for your question on the model 744NT exhaust fan/light. The 744NT is UL listed for installation above a tub or shower when connected to a GFCI branch circuit, but we do not have any product that we recommend installing inside of a steam shower. Please contact the Technical Service Department at 888-336-6151 for further assistance.
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So, it's not the NEC that requires the GFCI protection when installed over a tub, it's the manufacturer that's requiring it. As a result of the EI's will, in all likelihood, require that it be GFCI protected. For the life of me I can't understand the requirement, other than they are covering their tails as I originally mentioned.

As far as any 3' rule goes I don't believe one exists but here is Nutone's patented answer :
Thank you for the question on the 773BNNT exhaust fan. As far as we are concerned, as long as it is outside of the shower or tub footprint, it is fine. Local building codes may vary from that, so I would check those codes.
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