The Ontario Electrical Safety Code requires metal parts of the pool and other non-electrical equipment associated with the pool to be bonded together.

Diagram courtesy OESC

The Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) 24th edition/2009, takes effect May 1 2009 and includes significant changes to Section 68—swimming pools, hot tubs and spas. The key changes include the introduction of new installation requirements for splash pads and new requirements for pool bonding.

Specifically, rule 68-000 has been expanded to include splash pads to provide greater safety requirements to these types of installations. Splash pads have similar safety hazards as pools, such as electrical installations, which are in close proximity to the water.

Rule 68-050 was amended to require metal parts of the pool and other non-electrical equipment associated with the pool to be bonded together (metal piping, pool reinforcing steel, metal ladders, diving board supports, fences, etc., and other non-electrical equipment associated with the pool).

New Subrule 68-050 (8) relaxes the requirements for a copper loop around a metal pool and will only require a continuous metal pool shell made up of individual panels, securely bolted or welded together, to be bonded in at least one location.

Rule 68-054 has increased the overhead wiring clearance to 5 m (16.4 ft) from the pool and new Subrule 68-404 (4) requires an emergency shut off switch to be installed for each spa or hot tub except for those installed in a dwelling unit.

For a detailed outline of the provisions contained in the new OESC standards, see the March/April issue of Pool & Spa Marketing.