TIA Proposed for 2023 NEC Regarding Definition of Pool and 680.26

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently released a proposed Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) to the 2023 Edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC). The TIA was submitted by G. Scott Harding, F.B. Harding Inc., and has a comment closing date of February 15, 2023.

TIA Log No.: 1687

Reference: Definition of Pool, and 680.26     

1. Revise the definition of “Pool” to read as follows:

Pool. Manufactured or field-constructed equipment designed to contain water on a permanent or semipermanent basis and used by persons for swimming, wading, immersion, or therapeutic purposes, but not including bodies of water incorporated as part of an industrial process or lakes, lagoons, surf parks, or other natural and man-made bodies of water that may incorporate swimming and swimming areas. (680) (CMP-17)

Informational Note: Natural and man‐made bodies of water, which includes lakes, lagoons, surf parks, or other similar bodies of water, are addressed in Article 682.

2. Revise section paragraph 680.26 to read as follows:

680.26 Equipotential Bonding.

(A) Performance. The equipotential bonding required by 680.26(B) and (C) to reduce voltage gradients in the pool area shall be installed for pools with or without associated electrical equipment related to the pool.     

Informational Note No. 1: Some causes of voltage gradients originate outside the premises wiring system and are not within the scope of the NEC. Measures identified in Rule 097D2 of ANSI C2, National Electrical Safety Code can also serve to address voltage gradients originating on the utility side of the service point.

Informational Note No. 2: By its nature, equipotential bonding of swimming pools and perimeter surfaces involves contact between various metallic materials and the earth. This can, in some cases, expose various specific metals to a corrosive environment, depending on factors such as the type and chemical content of the soil and the specific metal. Corrosive environments are also addressed in 680.14.

Read the rest of the proposed revisions to 680.26 here on the NFPA's website.