splash pad requirements

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malachi constant

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Minneapolis
I'm working on an exterior splash pad. The "splash pad" is a 30' concrete circle with a number of water jets/misters that shoot out of it, a drain in the middle to collect water, and a foot activator that starts the whole thing. No standing water. No lights in or near it.

Manufacturer is not much help with respect to grounding requirements - only to "follow local codes". Let's set "local codes" aside and look at the NEC. It doesn't appear to recognize a splash pad as it doesn't have any standing water.

Single point power connection (40A/2P) is located in adjacent building. Power feeds various pumps located on a skid in the building or in catch basins outside. Control wire is run to the foot activator. I plan to bond the foot activator. The jets etc all come with a grounding lug, I assume I should bond those as well.

I don't think I am required to provide a an emergency stop or 680.12 disconnecting means for this - it's not technically a pool, so those don't apply. However would it be an engineering mistake to not provide one? I don't have enough experience in pool grounding to know it. There doesn't seem to be a good location to provide a disconnect within 5' of the (non-existent) "inside walls of pool".

Should I bond to any of the concrete per 680.26?

GFI breakers for the 40A/2P and any other receptacles/equipment/etc in the equipment room? (I suppose I should verify with the manufacturer - maybe after my single point power connection they have GFI protection as they branch off.)

The lights in the equipment room are existing and surely not GFI protected - rewire to feed from GFI?

I assumed PVC conduit was acceptable until I got to 680.25(A)(1) (2011 NEC).

I am so used to plopping the standard pool grounding detail on the detail sheet and calling it a day. Having to think again. Argh.
 
Great thread you found. How "my" splash relates is as follows:
1. It utilizes a recirculating system. Pumps are located in a building over 50' away. There is a sump pump in a catch basin, also ~40' away.
2. There is electrical to the pad - to the foot activator. Kids step on it to make the water run. Manufacturer requires 2#14 control wires from the control box (located in the building) to the activator. I assume it is 24V DC but their literature is not clear - maybe is 120V controls. This will be grounded.

I need to talk to the AHJ but would love to have an informed opinion. After reading that thread and thinking how it relates to this one, my guess is I need to bond to the concrete, plus all other metal components within X feet - including benches, water jets, etc.
 
More info:
1. The manufacturer confirmed their controller (skid, located in building, contains recirc pumps, control panel etc) is single point 40A/2P connection and that they provide no GFI protection for the equipment. They say GFI protection, if required, has to be provided in the field.
a- Is GFI protection required/recommended? I would assume it is NOT explicitly required as this doesn't really fall under Article 680. But I assume it is at least considered good practice.
b- If required/recommended...would a 40A/2P GFI breaker provide protection for all the individual components? I would assume not, that the manufacturer's out-of-the-box skid would need some tinkering with to add GFI protection at the various components?
2. The foot activator is 24V DC. I have to think if there is any power at all in that concrete pad that the whole thing needs bonded. Right?
3. Manufacturer doesn't want to share what grounding they get into in other municipalities. I was hoping to get something from them for reference (not for gospel) when talking with our AHJ. Oh well.

I'm headed out for the weekend. Will check back in Monday, if not sooner. Have a good one everyone.
 
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