Section 680 pools

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david corban

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Naples, FL USA
Good afternoon,
We have a situation where we are doing a major renovation of a home on the beach which has a pool located completely under the occupied space of the floor above. The pool is also has full enclosing walls along 50% of its perimeter and the remaining perimeter has roll down hurricane shutters. It is our contention that this is an indoor pool and therefore falls under the requirement for indoor clearances 680.22(B)(2) Indoor Clearances. We need the 7'-6" clearance because we have installed wet location, low voltage LED lights that are 11'-8" from the surface of the pool.

The NFPA glossary of terms for indoor seems to clearly say that this pool is indoors.

The electrical inspector says no this is an outdoor pool and therefore the lights need to be 12' form the surface.
What do you think?
 
Unfortunately this is an argument we cannot help with as it will be an authority having jurisdiction call. I would probably see it as indoor also but obviously your inspector does not.
 
So the AHJ is arguing over 4 inches if he applies outdoor location and several feet if it considered indoors. I think this inspector is really abusing his discretion in my opinion. Does your area allow for variances?
It is a guess the issue is the use of a pole/brush cleaning the pool and a person hitting the live parts of a fixture while the other end is in the water.

How deep is the pool?
 
petersonra said:
I think you make a good case that it is an indoor pool.

The inspector has a boss. Maybe it is time to make your case there.
Click to expand...

thanks all for the input. I think my next step is to take it up with the Sr building official

I found this blog by googling section 680 of the NEC and it brought me to the text i have pasted below. The second Author's comment says that low voltage fixtures can be within 10 feet of the water surface. I cannot find that anywhere in the code. Is that from an earlier version?

thank you.

680.22 Area Lighting, Receptacles and Equipment.
(A) Receptacles.
(1) Circulation System, Location. Receptacles for pool, outdoor spa, and hot tub motors or other loads directly related to the circulation system shall be located at least 10 ft from the inside walls, or not less than 5 ft from the inside walls if the receptacle is: Figure 680-5 un680-05 680-22A1 01.cdr
(1) A single receptacle.
(2) Of the twist-lock type.
(3) Of the grounding type.
(4) GFCI protected.
(2) Other Receptacles. All other receptacles shall be not less than 10 ft from the water. Figure 680-6 un680-06 680-22A2 01.cdr
(3) Dwelling Unit(s). At a dwelling unit, one 15A or 20A, 125V receptacle shall be located not less than 10 ft and not more than 20 ft from the water. This receptacle shall be located not more than 6 ft 6 in. above the floor, platform, or grade level serving the pool, outdoor spa or hot tub. Figure 680-7 un680-07 680-22A3 01.cdr
(4) Restricted Space. Where a pool, outdoor spa or hot tub is within 10 ft of a dwelling, the receptacle required by (3) shall be permitted to be installed not less than 5 ft measured horizontally from the inside wall of the water. Figure 680-8 un680-08 680-22A4.cdr
(5) GFCI Protection. All 125V receptacles located within 20 ft of the inside walls of the water shall be GFCI protected. Figure 680-9 un680-09 680-22A5 01.cdr
Author?s Comment: On the property for a dwelling unit, all outdoor receptacles shall be GFCI protected, regardless of the distance from a pool, outdoor spa or hot tub [2108(A)(3)].
Receptacles for pools, spa, or hot tub pump motors shall be GFCI protected. Figure 680-10 un680-10 680-22A5 02.cdr
(6) Measurements. In determining the above dimensions, the distance shall be the shortest path the supply cord connected to the receptacle would follow without piercing a floor, wall, ceiling, doorway with hinged or sliding door, window opening or other effective permanent barrier.
(B) Luminaires and Ceiling Fans.
(1) New Outdoor Installation. Luminaires and ceiling fans installed above the water, or the area extending within 5 ft horizontally from the water, shall not be less than 12 ft above the maximum water level.
(2) Indoor Installation. Totally enclosed luminaires and ceiling fans can be at a height not less than 7 ft 6 in. above the water, if the branch circuit is GFCI protected. Figure 680-11 un680-11 680-22B2.cdr
(3) Existing Installations. Existing luminaires located less than 5 ft horizontally from the water shall be not less than 5 ft above the surface of the maximum water level, and shall be GFCI protected. Figure 680-12 un680-12 680-22B3.cdr
(4) GFCI Protection in Adjacent Areas. Luminaires and ceiling fans installed in the area extending between 5 ft and 10 ft horizontally from the inside walls of a pool, outdoor spa or hot tub shall be GFCI protected, unless installed not less than 5 ft above the maximum water level.
Author?s Comment: Low-voltage lighting systems, such as those covered by Article 411, shall not be within 10 ft of a pool, spa or hot tub even if GFCI protected [411.4]. Figure 680-13 un680-13 680-22B4 411-04.cdr
(C) Switching Devices. Panelboards, time clocks, pool light switches, and other switching devices shall be located at least 5 ft horizontally from the inside walls of a pool, outdoor spa and hot tub unless separated by a solid fence, wall or other permanent barrier. Figure 680-14 un680-14 680-22C 404-04.cdr
 
That section say's " shall not be installed within 10' "
Your only concern should be if indoors or outdoors.
I would look at it this way.
What makes this a Outdoor pool? This is the real question.
 
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