Questions and Answers about Pools

For the most part yes, only a very few above ground installations will not require some type of electrical permit. (ie. kiddie wading pool)

Yes, all permanently installed pools require permits and inspections for safe operation. (see definition of permanently installed pools)

The provisions of this article apply to the construction and installation of electrical wiring for and equipment in or adjacent to all swimming, wading, therapeutic, and decorative pools; fountains; hot tubs; spas; and hydromassage bathtubs, whether permanently installed or storable, and to metallic auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, filters, and similar equipment. The term body of water used throughout Part I applies to all bodies of water covered in this scope unless otherwise amended.

Manufactured or field-constructed equipment designed to contain water on a permanent or semi-permanent basis and used for swimming, wading, or other purposes.

Storable Swimming or Wading Pool: Those that are constructed on or above the ground and are capable of holding water to a maximum depth of 42 inches, or a pool with nonmetallic, molded polymeric walls or inflatable fabric walls regardless of dimension.

Permanently Installed Swimming, Wading, and Therapeutic Pools: Those that are constructed in the ground or partially in the ground, and all others capable of holding water in a depth greater than 42 inches, and all pools installed inside of a building, regardless of water depth, whether or not served by electrical circuits of any nature.

Except as modified by this article, wiring and equipment in or adjacent to pools and fountains shall comply with other applicable provisions of this Code, including those provisions identified in Table 680.3.

• Wet-Niche Luminaire (Lighting Fixture). A luminaire (lighting fixture) intended for installation in a forming shell mounted in a pool or fountain structure where the luminaire (fixture) will be completely surrounded by water.
• Dry-Niche Luminaire (Lighting Fixture). A luminaire (lighting fixture) intended for installation in the wall of a pool or fountain in a niche that is sealed against the entry of pool water.
• No-Niche Luminaire (Lighting Fixture). A luminaire (lighting fixture) intended for installation above or below the water without a niche.
• Through-Wall Lighting Assembly. A lighting assembly intended for installation above grade, on or through the wall of a pool, consisting of two interconnected groups of components separated by the pool wall.
• Cord-and-Plug-Connected Lighting Assembly. A lighting assembly consisting of a luminaire (lighting fixture) intended for installation in the wall of a spa, hot tub, or storable pool, and a cord-and-plug-connected transformer.

Forming Shell. A structure designed to support a wet-niche luminaire (lighting fixture) assembly and intended for mounting in a pool or fountain structure.

Pool Cover, Electrically Operated. Motor-driven equipment designed to cover and uncover the water surface of a pool by means of a flexible sheet or rigid frame.

Fixed Equipment: Equipment that is fastened or otherwise secured at a specific location.

Portable Equipment: Equipment that is actually moved or can easily be moved from one place to another in normal use.

Stationary Equipment: Equipment that is not easily moved from one place to another in normal use;