Evaluation of "Alternative Equipotential Bonding Means" - Final Report

[Bryan Holland]

To: NEC CMP-17 MembersFrom: Donny Cook, NEC CMP-17 Chair

At the request of past Chair, Don Jhonson, the Fire Protection Research Foundation initiated a research project related to the NEC bonding requirements for perimeter surfaces of swimming pools. The final report for that project was accepted on Friday. Realizing the closing date for proposals for the 2014 NEC is Friday, November 4, 2011, the Foundation wanted to provide access to the report as soon as possible. The report is attached.

As the new chair, I look forward to working with each of you during the 2014 NEC cycle. I will likely communicate with many of you prior to January and for those I am not able to reach before then, I will see you in Hilton Head.

Donny Cook

Download the report here:

http://apps.cityofnorthport.com/ftpinfo/

 

[north star]

* * * *

Bryan,

Can you please provide the Reader's Digest version, ...in

your own words?....Thanks!

& & & &

 

[Bryan Holland]

Sure. In summary, blah blah blah, a bunch of tests & experiments were conducted, blah blah blah, the results are rather inconclusive, blah blah blah, equipotential bonding in general sort-of works, & sort-of doesn't work, blah blah, blah, even more tests & experiments need to be conducted, blah blah blah, no definitive recommendations ca be made, blah blah, blah...

 

[north star]

# = # =

Most excellent summary Bryan!

= # = #

 

[gbhammer]

Now that just made my morning.

 

[chris kennedy]

Sure. In summary, blah blah blah, a bunch of tests & experiments were conducted, blah blah blah, the results are rather inconclusive, blah blah blah, equipotential bonding in general sort-of works, & sort-of doesn't work, blah blah, blah, even more tests & experiments need to be conducted, blah blah blah, no definitive recommendations ca be made, blah blah, blah...

LOL, wish you posted this before I wasted a ½hr reading all that inconclusive non-sense. Valiant effort to no avail.

 

[jar546]

It still appears as though they (testing group) is leading towards increased equipotential bonding around pools. The biggest issue is the conclusive/definitive resistance values for the human body which is impractical/unsafe to obtain accurately. I agree the more conservative number of 500 Ohms should be used. I wish there were more detailed code reports available post accidents.