680.22(B)(7) Low-Voltage Gas-Fired Luminaires, Decorative Fireplaces, Fire Pits, and Similar Equipment.

Listed low-voltage gas-fired decorative fireplaces using low-voltage ignitors that do not require grounding, and are supplied by listed transformers or power supplies that comply with 680.23(A)(2) with outputs that do not exceed the low-voltage contact limit shall be permitted to be located closer than 5 feet from the inside walls of the pool.
Click to Enlarge
Listed low-voltage gas-fired decorative fireplaces using low-voltage ignitors that do not require grounding, and are supplied by listed transformers or power supplies that comply with 680.23(A)(2) with outputs that do not exceed the low-voltage contact limit shall be permitted to be located closer than 5 feet from the inside walls of the pool.

Code Change Summary: A new code section was added to address low-voltage gas-fired luminaires, decorative fireplaces, fire pits, and similar equipment.

As the technology for gas-fired luminaires, decorative fireplaces, fire pits, and similar equipment advances, so does the need for code language that aligns with these new features.

Low voltage systems can ignite a gas powered decorative fireplace just as easily as a 120-volt branch circuit can. It’s becoming quite common to see gas-fired luminaires, decorative fireplaces, fire pits, and similar equipment that only requires a low voltage supply to ignite the burners.

The new code language permits the low voltage equipment mentioned above to be located closer than 5 feet from the inside walls of the pool as long as the following conditions are met:

Section 680.2 defines the Low Voltage Contact Limit as. A voltage not exceeding the following values:

(1) 15 volts (RMS) for sinusoidal ac.

(2) 21.2 volts peak for nonsinusoidal ac.

(3) 30 volts for continuous dc.

(4) 12.4 volts peak for dc that is interrupted at a rate of 10 to 200 Hz.

Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2017 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.

2017 Code Language:

N 680.22(B)(7) Low-Voltage Gas-Fired Luminaires, Decorative Fireplaces,

Fire Pits, and Similar Equipment. Listed low-voltage gas-fired luminaires, decorative fireplaces, fire pits, and similar equipment using low-voltage ignitors that do not require grounding, and are supplied by listed transformers or power supplies that comply with 680.23(A)(2) with outputs that do not exceed the low-voltage contact limit shall be permitted to be located less than 1.5 m (5 ft) from the inside walls of the pool. Metallic equipment shall be bonded in accordance with the requirements in 680.26(B). Transformers or power supplies supplying this type of equipment shall be installed in accordance with the requirements in 680.24. Metallic gas piping shall be bonded in accordance with the requirements in 250.104(B) and 680.26(B)(7).

Did You Like This? Let Us Know With A Like! Thanks!

680.22(B)(7) Low-Voltage Gas-Fired Luminaires, Decorative Fireplaces, Fire Pits, and Similar Equipment.

Below is a Real Question from our Electrical Continuing Education Courses for Electrical License Renewal:

Which of the following is one of the requirements for a listed low-voltage gas-fired luminaire to be installed 3 feet from the pool?

A: The equipment must have a DC igniter circuit.
B: The equipment must be rated not less than 60 volts for continuous dc.
C: The equipment must be grounded.
D: The equipment must be of a type that does NOT require grounding.
Please register or sign in for electrical continuing education courses.

If you were already signed in, your session probably expired, please sign back in.