National Home Inspector Practice Exam

Which safety mandate must be adhered to in homes with a hydro-massage bathtub?

1. The faucets must be at the drain end

2. The tub area must have a venting fan

3. There must be a vacuum breaker

4. There must be a ground fault circuit interrupter

The correct answer is: There must be a ground fault circuit interrupter

In homes with hydro-massage bathtubs, a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is a critical safety feature that must be installed. GFCIs are designed to prevent electric shock by monitoring the electrical current flowing through the circuit. If there is an imbalance, indicating a possible leak of electric current (which could happen if someone were to come into contact with water while using electrical devices), the GFCI will cut off the power almost instantaneously. The installation of a GFCI is particularly important in wet locations, such as bathrooms, where the risk of electric shock is inherently higher due to the presence of water and electrical devices. This ensures that if a malfunction occurs—such as a water and electric contact scenario—the GFCI will trip and prevent harm to the user. While the other options may pertain to various aspects of bathroom safety and functionality, they do not provide the same level of protection against electric shock as a GFCI. For example, having faucets positioned at the drain end may help in directing water flow but does not correlate with electrical safety. Likewise, proper ventilation is important for reducing humidity and preventing mold growth, but it does not address the electric hazard specifically. A vacuum breaker is crucial for preventing back