receptacle at hot tub area

[fisherelectric]

We have an outdoor hot tub install. The hot tub will be in a concrete floored block pit in a stone patio and surrounded by an 18" high block with stone wall. The contractor has made the pit long enough to allow room to hook it up inside the pit. The tub fits tight in the pit except where the 36" area for maintenance and wiring is. The contractor is going to put a removable wood deck over that area for access to the tub.
He also wants us to install a switched outlet in that part of the pit to plug in 2 small low voltage fountains on either side of the tub (about 5' away on either side).
My question is if the receptacle under the removable access panel is compliant with 680.22 ('08 NEC). We will bond the box and GFI protect the receptacle.

Thanks in advance for any opinions, thoughts, on this.

 

[JFletcher]

A removable pit cover may not qualify as either a floor or "other effective permanent barrier" per 680.22(A)(5). I would check with the AHJ.

If that pit is tight on three sides, you may have problems accessing all of the internal parts should they ever need replacement.

Is this spa cord and plug, or is there a RPVC conduit going in the concrete floor?

Another consideration is the pit should be arranged to drain/have a drain or not be watertight, otherwise splash/washdown/rainwater/leaks could fill it and submerge the electronics.

 

[fisherelectric]

"If that pit is tight on three sides, you may have problems accessing all of the internal parts should they ever need replacement."
I just wire them up.

"Is this spa cord and plug, or is there a RPVC conduit going in the concrete floor?"
It's direct hook up. Contractor installed conduit into pit.

"Another consideration is the pit should be arranged to drain/have a drain or not be watertight, otherwise splash/washdown/rainwater/leaks could fill it and submerge the electronics."
The pit has a drain.