Electrical Safety When Using Hot Tubs

Sitting around and lounging in a Hot Tub is very relaxing, but keep these electrical safety tips from the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) in mind before using one:

It’s important to remember that time and weather can affect a hot tub’s performance. A very well-known fact is time ages everything, including hot tubs, no matter if they are installed indoors or out. Hot tubs get old, and the internal equipment may stop working.

Outdoor hot tub installations have an added challenge of being exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light and other elements including rain and snow. UV light is proven to speed the aging process on the exposed, non-metallic electrical equipment associated with the hot tub, while rain and snow adversely impact the metallic components.

Other influences that increase the decay of hot tub equipment are the chemicals used to treat the water. These may be chlorine or bromine, which are very caustic and can cause corrosion in or on metal motor parts, electrical equipment, electrical terminals, and electrical conductors.

When was the last time you inspected the motor, terminations, bonding connections, or tested the ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection? You may be thinking, I didn’t know I needed to check my tub in this way. Why do I have to check that stuff? Again, remember that time and weather have an adverse impact on all things, especially hot tubs and the associated electrical equipment.

Hot tubs frequently receive their GFCI protection through an overcurrent protective device (OCPD), also known as a GFCI breaker, which contains similar instructions on testing. These simple and easy tests can help homeowners determine if the hot tub is safe. The usual test method includes:

• Push the colored test button on the breaker body, which should move the breaker handle to the middle position. If the handle doesn’t move, or trip, contact a qualified electrician to replace the GFCI breaker. A breaker handle that does move to the middle position is correctly operating.
• Reset the GFCI breaker by rotating the handle completely to the “off” position and then rotate it back to the “on” position. A properly functioning GFCI breaker can prevent high electric current from leaking into the hot tub water, which could result in an unfortunate electrical shock drowning (ESD) incident.

Hot tubs are a great place to relax and unwind if they are kept in good repair. Remember to test your GFCI protection and keep an eye on the other components for deterioration. Delaying maintenance could be a bigger and more expensive problem in the end.

The author of this content cannot be liable for any use or misuse of the contents. This is a guideline and is meant for information only.

Summer is a prime time to be staying at a vacation rental property. Below is some information from the U.S. Fire Administration to keep you and your loved ones safe when traveling away from home:

Many people enjoy renting homes or apartments for vacation. These rentals are not regulated like hotels and motels. Practice home safety in rentals just like you do at home.

Be sure:

• Everyone knows the address of the rental.
• Everyone knows two ways out of every room and out of the rental if there is an emergency.
• There are working smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the rental.
• There are working carbon monoxide alarms on every level of the rental.
• You can open all doors and windows that lead outside.
• You choose an outside meeting place a safe distance from the rental.
• Everyone knows where to find a first-aid kit.

The author of this content cannot be liable for any use or misuse of the contents. This is a guideline and is meant for information only.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Doors from the National Fire Protection Association (N.F.P.A.):

Fire resistance–rated assemblies such as fire walls and fire barriers are a critical component to preventing the movement of fire and smoke throughout a building. However, there is a need to provide openings in these assemblies to allow for occupant movement and use of a building. The openings in fire resistance–rated assemblies need to be protected as to not compromise the fire resistance.

One of the most common type of opening protectives in fire resistance–rated assemblies are fire doors.

Fire doors must always be operable. Operability of these systems includes opening, closing, and latching. Fire doors must be kept closed and latched or arranged to be automatic closing during the time of a fire. In addition, blocking or wedging doors in the open position is prohibited, as it violates the required operation and closing feature of the door.

How often do fire doors need to be inspected?

• Fire doors be inspected and tested immediately after the initial installation and then at a minimum annually after that.

Who can complete a fire door inspection?

• This inspection and testing of fire doors needs to be completed by a qualified person who has knowledge and understanding of the operating components and the type of fire door being tested.

What needs to be inspected and tested on a fire door?

• NFPA 80 contains 13 items that need to be verified during an inspection and test. These items range from identifying and confirming that labels on the door are visible and legible to checking for damage to the assembly, looking for broken or missing components, checking the clearance around the door, ensuring any signage on the door is compliant, and completing an operational test to ensure the assembly will close and latch under fire conditions.

Can I put signs on my fire doors?

• Yes, signs can be put on fire doors, but the size and means of attachment are governed by NFPA 80.

The author of this content cannot be liable for any use or misuse of the contents. This is a guideline and is meant for information only.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Safety tips from the U.S. Fire Administration:

More than 150 people in the U.S. die every year from accidental non-fire-related carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide or CO is a colorless and odorless gas. CO poisoning can occur when a fuel-burning appliance or machine, such as a furnace, heater or generator, is not working or vented properly. Breathing in CO at high levels can be fatal. Carbon monoxide is called the “invisible killer” because it’s a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. It is undetectable to the human senses, so people may not know that they are being exposed.

Learn what you can do to protect your family from the dangers of CO:

• Install and maintain CO alarms inside your home to provide early warning of CO.
• Install CO alarms in a central location outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of your home.
• Use portable generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas away from all doors, windows and vents.
• Make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace are clear of snow and other debris.

The author of this content cannot be liable for any use or misuse of the contents. This is a guideline and is meant for information only.