Hydromassage Bathtubs

This category covers indoor hydromassage bathtubs (also known as whirlpool baths) rated 250 V or less, for residential and commercial use, for permanent connection to the building plumbing, and intended for installation and use in accordance with Article 680 of ANSI/NFPA 70, “National Electrical Code.” They are intended for either permanent connection to the electrical supply or are provided from the factory with a maximum 3 ft. type SJ or equivalent service cord terminating in a grounding type attachment plug. A hydromassage bathtub may have provision for a maximum of two supply sources.A hydromassage bathtub consists of a drainable tub, a recirculating pump and optional equipment such as lights, a heater, a control and an air blower. A bathtub may also be provided with an air-blower and no recirculating pump or with an integral shower unit.

This category also covers heaters intended to be installed after a hydromassage bathtub leaves the factory. These field-installed heaters are Listed as hydromassage bathtub accessories. They are provided with markings on the heater and on the heater packaging to indicate the hydromassage bathtub models with which they are suitable.

Hydromassage bathtubs and hydromassage bathtub accessory heaters are intended to be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.

Double Insulation - Hydromassage bathtub may utilize double insulated pumps. These pumps are marked “Double Insulated” or “Double Insulation.” Double insulated pumps intended for permanent connection to the supply may or may not have provision to terminate an equipment grounding conductor. Cord-connected double insulated pumps may be provided with a power supply cord terminating in a nongrounding type attachment plug. Double insulated pumps are not provided with a pressure wire connector for equipotential bonding.

The physiological effect of using this equipment has not been determined. The suction fittings used in these hydromassage bathtubs have been investigated with respect to body and hair entrapment in accordance with ASME/ANSI A112.19.8M-1987.

INSTRUCTIONS/MARKINGS

Factory Configuration Information - Each hydromassage bathtub is provided with a marking on the wiring diagram, in the installation instructions or on a separate configuration sheet, to identify the factory-installed components of the unit. These components include pumps, controls, heaters, luminaires, and supply cords. This configuration marking and the installation instructions are intended to be available during installation and inspection.

Field-installed Options - Field-installed options that have been investigated and found to be suitable for addition to the unit are specified in the installation instructions. Hydromassage bathtubs intended for accessory heaters to be installed in the field are factory configured with fittings for this purpose. These bathtubs are marked “Suitable for Field-Installed Heater Accessory” and “Use only Accessory Heaters Marked for Use with This Bathtub.”