# Considered inside the enclosure

**URL:** <https://forum.nachi.org/t/considered-inside-the-enclosure/49644>\
**Category:** Electrical Inspections\
**Created:** [May 18, 2010, 9:06pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/considered-inside-the-enclosure/49644 "2010-05-18T21:06:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 17\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![pbennett1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/pbennett1/32/59556_2.png) [@pbennett1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/pbennett1)\
**Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 9:06pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/considered-inside-the-enclosure/49644/1 "2010-05-18T21:06:08Z")

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Are these GFCI protected receptacles considered inside the tub enclosure?

![100_5525 (Small).JPG](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/5/e/5e5646ed38ca0802dc6254f90f72c55a0d94a63f.jpeg)

![100_5526 (Small).JPG](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/8/9/89e04c3db8972560a5566aa46500d708df1534f6.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![mlarson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mlarson/32/89225_2.png) [@mlarson](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mlarson)\
**Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 9:17pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/considered-inside-the-enclosure/49644/2 "2010-05-18T21:17:05Z")

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No but make sure they are GFCI protected.

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**Author:** ![iniquette](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/iniquette/32/529_2.png) [@iniquette](https://forum.nachi.org/u/iniquette)\
**Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 9:20pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/considered-inside-the-enclosure/49644/3 "2010-05-18T21:20:36Z")

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I agree with Mike, not in the enclosure.

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**Author:** ![lkage](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lkage/32/347658_2.png) [@lkage](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lkage)\
**Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 9:26pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/considered-inside-the-enclosure/49644/4 "2010-05-18T21:26:24Z")

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These are helpful:

![3ft. by 8 ft. tub shower elec. zone.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/1/7/1798d9466bcaec39758f129c541aa1360e303182.jpeg)

 ![ElEC bathtub fixture (Small).jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/e/5/e5891a5f9b54048f67253248e80d229548291114.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![mlarson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mlarson/32/89225_2.png) [@mlarson](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mlarson)\
**Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 9:46pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/considered-inside-the-enclosure/49644/5 "2010-05-18T21:46:21Z")

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Maybe this will help.

> [@](#):
>
> Q: Does the NEC allow light fixtures, receptacles and switches within the 8-feet and 3-feet dimensions of a bathtub as mentioned in 410.4(D)?  
> A: The 3 feet of horizontal space around a bathtub and the 8 feet of vertical clearance measured from the rim of the bathtub apply to only those items listed in 410.4(D). They are cord connected small luminaires, hanging luminaires, track lighting, pendants and ceiling paddle fans. Flush- or surface-mounted luminaires may be located closer than 8 feet above the rim of the tub. Switches cannot be installed in wet locations in bathtub spaces, but there is no restriction on the distance that a switch may be located from a bathtub. This information is in 404.4.  
> Receptacles cannot be installed in a bathtub or shower space; however, they can be installed in the 3 feet of horizontal space that limits certain types of luminaires and paddle fans, but they should not be located in a damp or wet area.

Note: the rules are different in Canada.

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**Author:** ![jwicklander](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jwicklander/32/57038_2.png) [@jwicklander](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jwicklander)\
**Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 1:46am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/considered-inside-the-enclosure/49644/6 "2010-05-19T01:46:23Z")

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Peter,

Question… where was the exhaust fan located?

Jeff

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**Author:** ![pbennett1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/pbennett1/32/59556_2.png) [@pbennett1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/pbennett1)\
**Post date:** [May 20, 2010, 3:03am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/considered-inside-the-enclosure/49644/7 "2010-05-20T03:03:23Z")

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in the toilet closet

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**Author:** ![jwicklander](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jwicklander/32/57038_2.png) [@jwicklander](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jwicklander)\
**Post date:** [May 20, 2010, 5:01am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/considered-inside-the-enclosure/49644/8 "2010-05-20T05:01:56Z")

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I thought that might be the case by looking at the pictures. The reason I ask is to see how many inspectors would call that out. You now have a room that has a shower and a jetted tub with no exhaust fan for the moisture. Technically, by code, you don’t need one if that window does open. But, who the heck is going to have that window open during the wintertime?

Jeff

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**Author:** ![belliott](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/belliott/32/57038_2.png) [@belliott](https://forum.nachi.org/u/belliott)\
**Post date:** [May 20, 2010, 5:27am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/considered-inside-the-enclosure/49644/9 "2010-05-20T05:27:15Z")

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> [@jwicklander](#):
>
> I thought that might be the case by looking at the pictures. The reason I ask is to see how many inspectors would call that out. You now have a room that has a shower and a jetted tub with no exhaust fan for the moisture. Technically, by code, you don’t need one if that window does open. But, who the heck is going to have that window open during the wintertime?
> 
> Jeff

Jeff ,How did you tell the exhaust was located in the water closet from the pics?

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**Author:** ![bschern](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/bschern/32/273108_2.png) [@bschern](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bschern)\
**Post date:** [May 20, 2010, 5:34am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/considered-inside-the-enclosure/49644/10 "2010-05-20T05:34:19Z")

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Dang Strait they are! 3 feet easy… Ask yourself this? Would you let your kids bathe in there?

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**Author:** ![ccurrins](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ccurrins/32/225758_2.png) [@ccurrins](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ccurrins)\
**Post date:** [May 20, 2010, 6:31am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/considered-inside-the-enclosure/49644/11 "2010-05-20T06:31:30Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> Are these GFCI protected receptacles considered inside the tub enclosure?

> [@bschern](#):
>
> Dang Strait they are! 3 feet easy…

Wrong answer

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jwicklander](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jwicklander/32/57038_2.png) [@jwicklander](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jwicklander)\
**Post date:** [May 22, 2010, 1:25am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/considered-inside-the-enclosure/49644/12 "2010-05-22T01:25:40Z")

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> [@belliott](#):
>
> Jeff ,How did you tell the exhaust was located in the water closet from the pics?

Usually, if they have a separate ‘room’ for the toilet, that’s the only place where they install a fan. Many builders and homeowners don’t realize that the fan is geared more towards evacuating moisture than just smells. You can see the toilet in the mirror on the first pic.

Jeff

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**Author:** ![ldapkus](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ldapkus/32/58272_2.png) [@ldapkus](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ldapkus)\
**Post date:** [May 22, 2010, 1:59am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/considered-inside-the-enclosure/49644/13 "2010-05-22T01:59:03Z")

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Here’s one that was in the shower stall.

![Cadogan Inspection 024.JPG](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/7/d/7d034f3c5d17131c8680b6a9e76a748f1a944ef3.jpeg)

![Cadogan Inspection 023.JPG](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/6/4/64b6244b3a9f0b5222e035d99c882a32bade9a84.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![Jim\_Port](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bc8723/32.png) [@Jim\_Port](https://forum.nachi.org/u/Jim_Port)\
**Post date:** [May 22, 2010, 2:50am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/considered-inside-the-enclosure/49644/14 "2010-05-22T02:50:34Z")

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> [@bschern](#):
>
> Dang Strait they are! 3 feet easy… Ask yourself this? Would you let your kids bathe in there?

Please review the graphic posted in post #4 which shows receptacles and switches installed in a code compliant manner. Why would these receptacles be any different?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![belliott](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/belliott/32/57038_2.png) [@belliott](https://forum.nachi.org/u/belliott)\
**Post date:** [May 22, 2010, 2:57am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/considered-inside-the-enclosure/49644/15 "2010-05-22T02:57:37Z")

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> [@ldapkus](#):
>
> Here’s one that was in the shower stall.

Is that an issue?

No parts to cause electrocution.

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**Author:** ![jwicklander](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jwicklander/32/57038_2.png) [@jwicklander](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jwicklander)\
**Post date:** [May 22, 2010, 2:34pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/considered-inside-the-enclosure/49644/16 "2010-05-22T14:34:28Z")

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The fans will generally state that they are suitable for installation in a wet location if GFI protected.

Jeff

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**Author:** ![rmeier2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rmeier2/32/59909_2.png) [@rmeier2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rmeier2)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 12:13am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/considered-inside-the-enclosure/49644/17 "2010-05-24T00:13:38Z")

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I agree the receptacles are OK where they are. Since this is a hydromassage tub it also falls under Part VII of Article 680 in the NEC.

> [@](#):
>
> VII. Hydromassage Bathtubs  
> 680.71 Protection.  
> Hydromassage bathtubs and their associated electrical components shall be on an individual branch circuit(s) and protected by a readily accessible ground-fault circuit interrupter. **All 125-volt, single-phase receptacles not exceeding 30 amperes and located within 1.83 m (6 ft) measured horizontally of the inside walls of a hydromassage tub shall be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter**.
