Ukladmok Posted April 5, 2011 Report Share Posted April 5, 2011 I’m the new owner of a Sundance Hawthorne spa. I’m trying to install the spa on our existing stamped concrete patio. The Electrical Inspector in town is telling my electrician that in order for him to sign off on the installation the spa needs to be grounded into metal mesh beneath the concrete at least four feet out from the spa. As I mentioned this is existing concrete and I’m almost absolutely certain there is no way there was any sort of mesh laid down when the concrete was poured. Does anyone know if this is actually correct? I can’t seem to find any regulations about it while searching and I find it hard to believe that it is an actual regulation because it would pretty much prohibit spas from being placed on any existing concrete. There has to be a more reasonable method of grounding it to code. Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reeffreak Posted April 5, 2011 Report Share Posted April 5, 2011 I’m the new owner of a Sundance Hawthorne spa. I’m trying to install the spa on our existing stamped concrete patio. The Electrical Inspector in town is telling my electrician that in order for him to sign off on the installation the spa needs to be grounded into metal mesh beneath the concrete at least four feet out from the spa. As I mentioned this is existing concrete and I’m almost absolutely certain there is no way there was any sort of mesh laid down when the concrete was poured. Does anyone know if this is actually correct? I can’t seem to find any regulations about it while searching and I find it hard to believe that it is an actual regulation because it would pretty much prohibit spas from being placed on any existing concrete. There has to be a more reasonable method of grounding it to code. Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks. Search "equipotential bonding grid hot tub" on google. Enforced in some jurisdictions now. Highly, HIGHLY unlikely your patio was bonded when poured. An alternative to the bonding grid that will pass in some jurisdictions is to use 1/2" or thicker rubber mats around the perim of the spa where there is a finished walkway (e.g. concrete, pavers, etc.) to prevent a grounding differential as your guests step out of the tub. Or build a wooden / triax deck / stair structure around the tub. You can decide for yourself if you want those mats to cover up your beautiful stamped concrete.. Of course after the inspector is gone . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n1oty Posted April 6, 2011 Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 I’m the new owner of a Sundance Hawthorne spa. I’m trying to install the spa on our existing stamped concrete patio. The Electrical Inspector in town is telling my electrician that in order for him to sign off on the installation the spa needs to be grounded into metal mesh beneath the concrete at least four feet out from the spa. As I mentioned this is existing concrete and I’m almost absolutely certain there is no way there was any sort of mesh laid down when the concrete was poured. Does anyone know if this is actually correct? I can’t seem to find any regulations about it while searching and I find it hard to believe that it is an actual regulation because it would pretty much prohibit spas from being placed on any existing concrete. There has to be a more reasonable method of grounding it to code. Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks. I haven't had the opportunity to delve further into this particular piece of information since I received it a couple of weeks ago, but apparently the NFPA has relented somewhat on the equipotential bonding requirements for hot tubs. Whether your inspector will relent is another story. http://aquamagazine.com/articles/article.aspx?articleid=2033&zoneid=17 It should be the top article. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ukladmok Posted April 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 Thanks for the replies. I called my salesperson for advice about this and he mentioned the new Amendment to the NEC. My electrician forwarded a copy over to the township inspector today. Going to see what they come back to us with. Just in case they still have a problem with it, does anyone know where I can get those ½” rubber mats? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reeffreak Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 Just in case they still have a problem with it, does anyone know where I can get those ½” rubber mats? fitness mats (without holes in them) like what you'd find at a sporting goods store / target / wallie world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnepr Dave Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 I put cedar duck boards around my spa, it insulates like rubber mats but looks better. Another source of rubber mats is anti-fatigue mats available from an industrial supply. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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