Electrical Solutions

Marinas, lakes and ponds

When it comes to marinas, both saltwater and freshwater, corrosive environments can be very tough on electrical equipment. Many marinas often lack ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), devices that automatically shut off electrical power when they detect a leakage. Compounding the problem is that there are no consistent rules about recurring safety inspections.

The following codes and standards apply to boats and marinas and their related electrical safety issues:

NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, covers electrical installations in boats and marinas. The NEC, however, only covers new installations and does not address other issues such as maintenance and re-inspection.
NFPA 302, Fire Protection Standard for Pleasure and Commercial Motor Craft, applies to the fire and life safety requirements for boats.
NFPA 303, Fire Protection Standard for Marinas and Boatyards, applies to the facilities that house and service motor craft.

Examples of 2020 National Electrical Code® changes:

Article 555 added “floating buildings” to its title and scope.Part III of Article 555 covers installation requirements for floating buildings.
Signage requirements have been relocated from 555.24 in the 2017 NEC to 555.10 in the 2020 NEC and now require permanent signage at docking facilities, boatyards, and marinas.
555.13 - All metal parts in contact with the water, all metal piping, and all non-current-carrying metal parts that are likely to become energized shall be connected to the grounding bus in the panelboard using solid copper conductors; insulated, covered, or bare; not smaller than 8 AWG. Connections to bonded parts shall be made in accordance with 250.8.
555.5 - Pier power distribution systems maximum voltage has been reduced from 1000 volts phase to phase, to 250 volts maximum phase to phase.Pier power distribution systems, where qualified personnel service the equipment under engineering supervision, shall be permitted to exceed 250 volts but shall not exceed 600 volts.
555.7 - Transformers shall be identified for wet locations, for both new installations and replacement of existing transformers.
555.30(C) – Replacement electrical connections must be installed at least 12 inches above the deck of a floating pier.

Cliff Norton, of Bellingham Marine Utilities, and member of Code Making Panel 7, discusses the work that went into revising the NEC to best serve the marina industry while keeping people safe.

Keith Lofland, of IAEI, and chair of Code Making Panel 7, explains electric shock drowning and how the NEC addresses marina safety including the requirement related to ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

Reports

Marina Risk Reduction

This report is a comprehensive risk assessment and associated action plan to prevent, mitigate and/or eliminate the harmful effects of ESD in the vicinity of marinas, boatyards and floating buildings.

Download the report.

Assessment of Hazardous Voltage/Current in Marinas, Boatyards and Floating Buildings

This report is an in-depth look at hazardous voltage/current in marinas, boatyards and floating buildings, and a mitigation strategy to address identified hazards.

Download the report.

Casey Grant, P.E., executive director of the Fire Protection Research Foundation, discusses the key findings of the August 2017 “Marina Risk Reduction” report that underscore the need for collective strategic solutions to the electric shock drowning problem.

More information

Blog: Electric Shock Drowning (ESD) - A Hidden Killer
From NFPA Journal®: Troubled Waters (2015)
This article takes a look at marinas, boatyards and the problem of electric shock drowning.
Workshop: Marina Shock Hazard Research Planning (2015)
Proposed solutions for preventing the occurrence of ESD events and mitigating their severity if they do occur.
See more on electrical safety around water.