Towel Warmer above Tub?

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

csilver

Member
Location
Los Angeles
Does anyone know if you can have a towel warmer installed over the tub deck? This warmer is hard wired, 20" up a wall, with 18" of deck before reaching the edge of the tub, jacuzzi tub (no shower above), that is GFCI protected. Any help with this one? Was told by an inspector it's not OK. I think the guy may be misinformed. :-?
 
IMO, there could be an NEC issue based on interpretation of art. 410.10(D). This article defines the area of the tub and identifies the area inside the tub surround as being damp location. I realize that 410 is for lights but it would stand to realize that if a light needed to be listed for damp location in this area then so would a towel bar.

I don't necessarily agree with this esp. since the electrical for a towel bar is enclosed. I am just offering a possible reason.
 
I don't see the words that support his opinion ,.. and the last one I installed had restrictions on showers, saunas and steam-rooms ,nothing about bathtubs.

Tell him their other idea , if this is unacceptable , is for a non gfci wall light,.. watch his head spin:smile:
 
I'm going to admit some ignorance here. What is a tub deck? Because I don't know that I can't tell where your towel heater is.

As far as bathroom requirements, I don't see anything outside of lighting, receptacles and space heating.

I have to agree with Infinity, get a code number from your inspector, there's no violation without one.
 
as for the damp location issue;

every towel warmer i've installed was listed for damp locations; not wet locations though.
i think the inspector is just being overly cautious on this one.
 
Thanks Guys,
I was not given a code # yet and have not met the inspector who supposedly looked at it. This is information coming from a crazy client who does not want to pay for services completed. She's trumping up all kinds of ridiculous claims and I wanted to run this one by some other pros before engaging in handling her. Thanks for all the help.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top