680.82 Electrically Powered Pool Lifts
Code Change Summary: Part VIII was added in Article 680 to address electric pool lifts.
A new Part was added this code cycle to provide rules for electric pool lifts which are commonly used in public and hotel swimming pools. The installation of electrically-powered handicap lifts have and continue to occur across the country for compliance with the Department of Justice and applicable Building Code requirements. These lifts allow persons with disabilities to have access to public pools, spas, and hot tubs.
This equipment has been installed with little or no supporting code requirements for quite some time now. This new part to Article 680 addresses these types of installations with adequate safety requirements for all pool users.
Along with the new code requirements came a new definition in Section 680.2:
N Electrically Powered Pool Lift. An electrically powered lift that provides accessibility to and from a pool or spa for people with disabilities.
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 Part VIII. Electrically Powered Pool Lifts
680.80 General. Electrically powered pool lifts as defined in 680.2 shall comply with Part VIII of this article. They shall not be required to comply with other parts of this article.
680.81 Equipment Approval. Lifts shall be listed, labeled, and identified for swimming pool and spa use.
Exception No. 1: Lifts where the battery is removed for charging at another location and the battery is rated less than or equal to the low voltage contact limit shall not be required to be listed or labeled.
Exception No. 2: Solar-operated or solar-recharged lifts where the solar panel is attached to the lift and the battery is rated less than or equal to 24 volts shall not be required to be listed or labeled.
Exception No. 3: Lifts that are supplied from a source not exceeding the low-voltage contact limit and supplied by listed transformers or power supplies that comply with 680.23(A)(2) shall not be required to be listed or labeled.
680.82 Protection. Pool lifts connected to premises wiring and operated above the low-voltage contact limit shall be provided with GFCI protection for personnel.
680.83 Bonding. Lifts shall be bonded in accordance with 680.26(B)(5) and (B)(7).