pex pipe and a hydromassage tub

[jes25]

Gentleman,

With the use of pex (plastic) plumbing pipe and a hydromassage bathtub is it required to bond the shower valve/ tub spout. Do you think it would be advisable? I personally don't see too much of a voltage gradient issue. The IRC is enforced in the area I ask about.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Gentleman,

With the use of pex (plastic) plumbing pipe and a hydromassage bathtub is it required to bond the shower valve/ tub spout. Do you think it would be advisable? I personally don't see too much of a voltage gradient issue. The IRC is enforced in the area I ask about.

If the water piping system is plastic then there is no need to bond the spouts.

 

[raider1]

I agree with Dennis,

Here is what the IRC says about bonding hydromassage bathtubs:

"E4109.4 Bonding. All metal piping systems and all grounded
metal parts in contact with the circulating water shall be
bonded together using a solid copper bonding jumper, insulated,
covered, or bare, not smaller than 8 AWG."

So if you have PEX pipe suppying the tub, then there is no "metal piping system" to bond. An isolated metal tub or shower valve does not constitute a piping system.

Chris

 

[M. D.]

http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=90265&highlight=680.74

......The questions arise as to the requirement for bonding the hot and
cold water supply piping system that is connected to the tub. If the objective is
to place all metal piping and metal parts such as faucets and valves associated
with the hydromassage tub at the same equipotential plane, then the Code
should clearly require that, and not leave users with any question as to what is
required to be bonded and where the bonding jumper is required to be
connected.......

The funny thing ,..they agreed with this guy and cleared up nothing